For the Assistance of the Blessed Virgin

 

O Rod of Jesse, holy Flower of David, most blessed Virgin Mary: thou hast brought forth for us the long-awaited Emmanuel. Thou art the Holy City, founded by God Himself, O Virgin worthy of all praise, who never hadst, nor ever wilt have, an equal. Truly art thou "blessed among women," who didst bring down from heaven the Fruit of Life. Thou art, O matchless Virgin, she whom God has laden with all the riches of the universe, the true Tree of Life, planted in the very midst of Paradise, from whose branches do not hand the fruit of sin, but the food of Immortality.

Hail, Queen, clothed with the sun, for whose feet the moon is footstool, whose diadem is set with the stars of heaven! Hail, Mother, than all other mothers more fortunate, in that thou becamest for fallen man the Gate of Paradise! Hail, Glory of heaven, Splendor of the Kingdom of God, Ark of the Eternal Alliance, first Fruit of our regeneration, fairest Creature of the Hand of God!

More beautiful than the rose art thou, purer than the lily's purity, more spotless than the fallen snow: thou dost shine with greater glory than the radiant sun. Thou art above all angels and all saints. Thou art the Child of grace and blessing who hast given children of Eve Eternal Life, in giving them thy Son.

O sweet, O loving Mother: to God, thy Son, do thou commend us, for by Him thy every prayer is honorable. Obtain for us that while on earth we praise thee, we may by the innocence of our lives please thee, and thus merit to reach heaven one time, where, for all eternity, in thy glorification, we shall rejoice. Amen.