Novena to Immaculate Conception

Mary, Mother of the New  Evangelization

Day 1

Theme: MARY, THE VIRGIN AT PRAYER

Scripture Passage: Luke 1: 46 - 55
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/magnificat.htm

Marian Reading:
Mary is the Virgin in prayer. She appears as such in the visit to [Elizabeth], when she pours out her soul in expressions glorifying God, and expressions of humility, faith and hope. This prayer is the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), Mary's prayer par excellence, in which there mingles the joy of the ancient and the new Israel…. In her exultation Mary prophetically declared in the name of the Church: 'My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord....'

At Cana, Mary appears once more as the Virgin in prayer: when she tactfully told her Son of a temporal need she also obtained an effect of grace, namely, that Jesus, in working the first of His "signs," confirmed His disciples' faith in Him.

Likewise, the last description of Mary's life presents her as praying. The apostles "joined in continuous prayer, together with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers" (Acts 1:14). We have here the prayerful presence of Mary in the early Church and in the Church throughout all ages, for, having been assumed into heaven, she has not abandoned her mission of intercession and salvation. The title Virgin in prayer also fits the Church, which day by day presents to the Father the needs of her children, "praises the Lord unceasingly and intercedes for the salvation of the world."

(Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus, #18)

Prayers:
An Our Father
A Hail Mary
A Glory Be
The invocation: Mary, Immaculate Help of Christians, pray for us