Immaculate Conception Novena Day 1 11-30-2010

Before I start this novena, I must give many thanks to Joan Patten, AO who helped to gather the materials for reflection from both Bishop Giaquinta's writings and a beautiful prayer by L. de Grandmaison.  To honor this wonderful feast of Our Lady celebrated on December 8th, I thought I would research exactly what the Church's teaching is, I found the following in the Catechism in paragraph 491: 

The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and   privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.

The beautiful prayer below by L. de Grandmaison, highlights her most wonderful attributes and we will focus on one each day and ask for the grace to imitate it. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, let me keep a heart of a child, pure and transparent like springwater. Let me have a simple heart that does not linger to relish its own sorrows. A heart rich in giving, and easily moved to compassion; a faithful and generous heart that does not forget a good deed, yet it does not hold a grudge for an evil one. Make my heart humble, capable of loving without demanding to be loved in return, happy to lose itself within other hearts and to sacrifice itself before Your divine Son. A great and indomitable heart that no ungratefulness may close and no indifference may wear out. A heart tormented by the passion and glory of Jesus Christ, wounded by his love with a deep wound that will heal only in heaven.


Dear mother Mary, grant me the heart of a child, that could not even consider deceiving or mistreating another, but one that trusts completely.  Help me in my dealings this day to continually ponder if my heart is pure and transparent, and if it is not what is holding me back from this gift

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 1 11-30-2010