Seasonal Devotions
for the Month of September

Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd

Triduum: Sept. 1-3; Feast – Sept. 4

On Calvary, the Good Shepherd Who gave His life for His sheep, entrusted them to the keeping of His own pure and Immaculate Mother. Like her beloved Son, she too is filled with a burning love for souls. She does all in her power to bring them to His Most Sacred Heart and to save them from eternal death. Let us pray to the Mother of the Good Shepherd for the souls who are still outside His One, True Fold, the Catholic Church, as well as for ourselves, that we may faithfully follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd of our souls. Let us ever recall the respect and obedience due to those faithful Bishops of the Church set over us by Christ, to guide and direct us in the way of eternal salvation.

He said to His Mother, "Woman, behold thy son." Then He said to the disciple, "Behold thy Mother" (John 29:26).

Thou art blessed by the Lord, O Mary, for through Thee we have partaken in the Fruit of Life. Because of Thee, the gates of Heaven were opened to us, O Thou who dost reign gloriously with the angels! Hail Mary...

Mary speaks:
"Now, therefore, you children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways" (Prov. 8:32).

Let us Pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Good Shepherd of our souls, Who didst give Thy life for Thy sheep, and Who, when dying on the Cross didst entrust to the Virgin Mary the sheep of Thy pasture, grant that through her intercession we may on earth follow Thee, our Shepherd, through humble obedience to our Bishop, successor of Thy Blessed Apostles, and so be led to the heavenly pastures of life everlasting. Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Novena: Aug. 30-Sept. 7; Feast – Sept. 8

The Immaculate Virgin Mary was chosen from all eternity to bear for us the Savior; hence she was eternally in God's plan of Redemption. In time she was Immaculately Conceived, and her birth brought the hope of salvation to mankind. Let us joyfully thank God for having given her to us as a loving Mother. Let us glorify Him for all the mercies He has shown to mankind through the Immaculate Mother of God, Mary. Let our birthday gift to our Heavenly Mother be the total consecration of ourselves to her loving and Immaculate Heart.

(Read a longer article on the Nativity of Mary.)

Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me (Prov. 9:4).

With gladness let us celebrate the birthday of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, that she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ! Glory be to the Father...

Let us call to mind the most noble birth of the glorious Virgin Mary, whose humility delighted the gaze of the Lord, and who, at the message of an angel, conceived the Savior of the world. Hail Mary...

This day the Blessed Virgin Mary was born of the royal family of David. Through her the Salvation of the world appeared for all who believe. This is she whose life gave Light to the world. Hail Mary...

O Virgin Mother of God, thy birthday announced joy to the whole world, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, Who, having taken away the curse, bestowed blessing, and having triumphed over death, gave us life everlasting. Hail Mary...

Mary speaks:
"The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made." (Prov. 8:22)

Let us Pray: May all our hope of assistance, O Lord, ever rest upon the loving kindness of Thine only-begotten Son. May He, Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who when born of the Virgin, did not detract from the Virginity of His Mother, but made it sacred, cleanse us of our sins on this solemn feastday of her Nativity, and make our prayers pleasing in Thy sight. Amen.

Hymn – Ave Maris Stella

Hail thou star of ocean, God's own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heavenly rest.

Oh! by Gabriel's Ave, uttered long ago,
Eva's name reversing, established peace below.

Break the captive's fetters, light on blindness pour;
All our ills expelling, every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother; may the Word Divine,
Born for us thine Infant, hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild;
Freed from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus joy for ever more.

Through the highest Heaven, to the almighty Three,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one same glory be. Amen.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. Bestow on Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace, that we, for whom the Blessed Virgin's motherhood was the beginning of salvation, may be blessed with peace on the sacred feastday of her Nativity. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, One God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Most Holy Name of Mary
Triduum: Sept. 9-11; Feast – Sept. 12

From all eternity God pronounced this Name when He predestined Mary to be the Mother of Jesus our Savior. This name means sovereignty, for Mary, as Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother, is the Mistress of the world. It means bitterness, expressing the great sorrow she felt when she co-operated in the great act of Redemption of mankind on Calvary. It means resistance, for by reason of her Immaculate Conception, Mary was the first to totally conquer the ancient serpent, and to offer to God the first fruits of the Redeeming Death of His Only-Begotten Son. The Name of Mary, then, is a source of power, consolation, and hope. Let us prove our love for our Heavenly Mother by frequently uttering her sacred name with loving confidence.

"And the Virgin's name was Mary. (Luke 1: 27)

Blessed art Thou, O Holy Mary, who hast believed that the things which were spoken to Thee by the Lord would be accomplished. After Childbirth, O Virgin, Thou didst remain undefiled. O Holy Mother of God, intercede for us! Hail Mary...

They shall be mindful of thy name from age to age. Therefore the people will give thanks to Thee forever. Pray for the people, plead for priests; intercede for devout women. May all who celebrate the memory of Thy holy name obtain Thy help! Hail Mary...

Mary speaks:
"I am the salvation of the people. In whatever distress they may cry to me, I will hear them."

"In dangers, in sufferings, in doubt, think of Mary and invoke her aid. Let Mary be always in your heart and often upon your lips. To obtain her help in death, follow her example in life. In following her, you will not go astray; by praying to her, you will not despair; if you cling to her, you will not go wrong. With her support, you fall not; under her protection you have no fear; under her guidance you do not grow weary; if she is gracious to you, you will reach the port. Thus you will experience how rightly it is said: 'And the Virgin's name was Mary'." (St. Bernard)

Hymn – Alma Redemptoris Mater

Mother of Christ, hear Thou Thy people's cry,
Star of the sea and portal of the sky.

Holy Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking, we strive, and call to thee for aid.

Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us sinners thy mercy see.

Let us Pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that Thy people who rejoice in the name and in the protection of the most Holy Virgin Mary, may by her intercession be delivered from all evil here on earth, and be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys in Heaven. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, One God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Lady of Ransom
Triduum: Sept. 21-23; Feast – Sept. 24

By the special intervention of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Peter Nolasco, St. Raymond of Penafort, and King James of Aragon established an Order under the name of Our Lady of Mercy for the ransom of Christian captives from the Muslim marauders in the 13th century. Under Our Lady's special protection the Order grew rapidly. These devoted religious dedicated themselves not only to collecting alms for the ransom of Christian captives, but even, as a last resort, gave themselves up to voluntary slavery in order to rescue those languishing in the Moorish prisons. One of these heroic religious, St. Raymond Nonnatus (Aug. 31), after having delivered many Christian slaves in Africa from the Mohammedans, gave himself up as a hostage. His vicious captors so hated his fearless witness to Christ, that they closed his mouth with a padlock which pierced his lips. He died in 1240. It was to return thanks to God and the Blessed Virgin for the miraculous institution of this Order that the feast of Our Lady of Ransom was instituted. Let us ask Our Lady of Mercy to console and strengthen all those who are suffering under the sway of present-day Islamic tyranny, and to ransom poor sinners from their captivity to Satan in the cruel slavery of sin and vice, and to free the Poor Souls suffering in Purgatory.

"He hath given help to Israel His servant, mindful of His mercy." (Luke 1:54)

O Mary, thou art favored more than all other women on earth, for in the presence of our God thou hast aided us in our weakness. Rule over us, thou and thy Son, because thou hast freed us from the hands of our enemies! Hail Mary...

Mary speaks:
"He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord." (Prov. 8:35)

Let us Pray: O God, Who through the most glorious Mother of Thy Son wast pleased to give new children to Thy Church for the deliverance of Christ's faithful from the power of the heathen, grant, we pray Thee, that we who affectionately honor her as the Foundress of so great a work, may, by her merits and intercession, be delivered from the slavery of sin and the eternal flames of Hell. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, One God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Novena to St. Michael the Archangel
Sept. 20-28; Feast – Sept. 29

Consecration

St. Michael the Archangel, invincible prince of the angelic hosts and glorious protector of the Universal Church, I greet thee and praise thee for that splendor with which God has adorned thee, especially to remain faithful when Lucifer and his followers rebelled, and to battle victoriously for the honor of God and the divinity of the Son of Man.

St. Michael, I consecrate to thee my soul and body. I choose thee as my patron and protector and entrust the salvation of my soul to thy care. Be the Guardian of my obligation as a child of God and of the Catholic Church as again I renounce Satan, his works and pomps. Assist me by thy powerful intercession in the fulfillment of these sacred promises, so that imitating thy courage and loyalty to God, and trusting in thy kind help and protection, I may be victorious over the enemies of my soul and be united with God in Heaven forever. Amen.

Novena Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to thee with confidence and seek thy powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made thee so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer. Thou dost know the value of my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate thy loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and thy great love for God and men. And since thou art God's messenger for the care of His people, I entrust to thee this special request: (Here mention your request).

St. Michael, since thou art, by the will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in thy prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy will, my petition will be granted.

Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through thy powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death and reach Heaven where we may praise and love God with thee forever. Amen.

In thanksgiving to God for the graces bestowed on St Michael: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Litany in Honor of St. Michael

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
St. Michael, the Archangel,
Most glorious attendant of the Triune Divinity,
Standing at the right of the altar of incense,
Ambassador of Paradise,
Glorious Prince of the Heavenly armies,
Defender of the Divine Glory,
First defender of the Kingship of Christ,
Strength of God,
Invincible prince and warrior,
Angel of Peace,
Guide of Christ,
Guardian of the Christian Faith,
Champion of God's people,
Guardian Angel of the Eucharist,
Defender of the Church,
Protector of the Sovereign Pontiff,
Angel of Catholic Action,
Powerful intercessor of Christians,
Bravest defender of those who hope in God,
Guardian of our souls and bodies,
Healer of the sick,
Help of those in their agony,
Consoler of the souls in Purgatory,
God's messenger for the souls of the just,
Terror of the evil spirits,
Victorious in battle against evil,
Guardian and Patron of the Universal Church,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O Glorious St. Michael.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Relying, O Lord, upon the intercession of Thy blessed archangel Michael, we humbly beg of Thee, that the Sacrament of the Eucharist which we have received may make our souls holy and pleasing to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Protection Against the Evil Spirits

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle; be thou our safeguard against the malice and snares of the Devil. Rebuke him, O God, we humbly beseech Thee; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle, that we perish not in the fearful judgment.

Saint Michael, first champion of the Kingship of Christ, pray for us.

For Holy Church

O GLORIOUS Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against Principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of the LORD, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men hast taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of GOD and of His CHRIST, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the Spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered. Arise, then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of GOD, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as Her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has GOD entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the GOD of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the LORD; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the LORD; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered, the Root of David.
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O LORD.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O LORD, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray:

O GOD, the FATHER of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and as suppliants we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel St. Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

(Pope Leo XIII; 500 days.)

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