Prayer of Hope
by St. Alphonsus
Liguori
Most holy Virgin Immaculate,
my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother
of my Lord, the Queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the
refuge of sinners, I who am the most miserable of all sinners, have
recourse this day. I venerate thee, great Queen, and I thank thee for
the many graces thou hast bestowed upon me even unto this day; in
particular for having delivered me from the Hell which I have so often
deserved by my sins. I love thee, most dear Lady; and for the love I
bear thee, I promise to serve thee willingly for ever and to do what I
can to make thee loved by others also. I place in thee all my hopes for
salvation; accept me as thy servant and shelter me under thy mantle,
thou who art the Mother of mercy. And since thou art so powerful with
God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least obtain for me the
strength to overcome them until death. From thee I implore a true love
for Jesus Christ. Through thee I hope to die a holy death. My dear
Mother, by the love thou bearest to Almighty God, I pray thee to assist
me always, but most of all at the last moment of my life. Forsake me
not then, until thou shalt see me safe in heaven, there to bless thee
and sing of thy mercies through all eternity. Such is my hope. Amen
Prayer of
Confidence
by
St. Alphonsus
Liguori
O
most pure Virgin
Mary, I venerate thy most
holy heart, which was the delight and resting place of God, thy heart
overflowing with humility, purity, and Divine love. I, an unhappy
sinner, approach thee with a heart all loathsome and wounded. O
compassionate Mother, disdain me not on this account; let such a sight
rather move thee to greater tenderness, and excite thee to help me. Do
not stay to seek virtues or merit in me before assisting me. I am lost,
and the only thing I merit is hell. See only my confidence in thee and
tIle purpose I have to amend. Consider all that Jesus has done and
suffered for me, and then abandon me if thou canst. I offer thee all
the pains of His life; the cold that He endured in the stable; His
journey into Egypt; the blood which He shed; the poverty, sweats,
sorrows, and death that He endured for me; and this in thy presence.
For the love of Jesus, take charge of my salvation. Ah, my Mother, I
will not and cannot fear that thou wilt reject me, now that I have
recourse to thee and ask thy help. Did I fear this, I should be
offering an outrage to thy mercy, which goes in quest of the wretched,
in order to help them. O Lady, deny not thy compassion to one to whom
Jesus has not denied His blood. But the merits of this blood will not
be applied to me unless thou recommendest me to God. Through thee do I
hope for salvation. I ask not for riches, honors, or earthly goods. I
seek only the grace of God, love towards thy Son. the accomplishment of
His will, and His heavenly Kingdom, that I may love Him eternally. Is
it possible that thou wilt not hear me? No; for already thou hast
granted my prayer, as I hope; already thou prayest for me; already thou
obtainest me the graces that I ask; already thou takest me under thy
protection. My Mother, abandon me not. Never. never cease to pray for
me, until thou seest me safe in Heaven at thy feet, blessing and
thanking thee forever. Amen.
Prayer
of
Refuge
by
St. Alphonsus
Liguori
Behold, O Mother of
my God, my only hope, Mary, behold at thy feet a miserable sinner, who
asks thee for mercy. Thou art proclaimed and called by the whole
Church, and by all the faithful, the refuge of sinners. Thou art
consequently my refuge; thou hast to save me. I will say with William
of Paris: Thou knowest, most sweet Mother of God, how much thy blessed
Son desires our salvation. Thou knowest all that Jesus Christ endured
for this end. I present thee, O my Mother, the sufferings of Jesus: the
cold that He endured in the stable, His journey into Egypt, His toils,
His sweat, the Blood that He shed; the anguish which caused His death
on the Cross, and of which thou wast thyself a witness. Oh, show that
thou lovest thy beloved Son, and by this love I implore thee to assist
me. Extend thy hand to a poor creature who has fallen and asks thy
help. Were I a Saint I would not need seek thy mercy; but because I am
a sinner I fly to thee, who art the Mother of mercies. I know that thy
compassionate heart finds it a consolation in assisting the miserable,
when thou canst do so, and dost not find them obstinate. Console, then,
thy compassionate heart, and console me this day; for now thou hast the
opportunity of saving a poor creature condemned to Hell; and thou canst
do so, for I will not be obstinate. I abandon myself into thy hands,
only tell me what thou wouldst have me do, and obtain for me strength
to execute it, for I am resolved to do all that depends on me to
recover the Divine grace. I take refuge under thy mantle. Jesus wills
that I should have recourse to thee, in order not only that His Blood
may save me, but also that thy prayers may assist me in this great
work; for thy glory. and for His Own, since thou art His Mother. He
sends me to thee, that thou mayest help me. O Mary, see, I have
recourse
to thee; in thee do I confide. Thou prayest for so many others, pray
also for me; say only a word. Tell Our Lord that thou willest my
salvation, and God will certainly save me. Say that I am thine, and
then I have obtained all that I ask, all that I desire.
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