The Little Flower Prayerbook is a Carmelite manual of priceless devotions, meditations, novenas, and more. This article lays out an abridged version of the Novena of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose feast is today! For the longer novena and many more devotions, pick up your copy of The Little Flower Prayerbook.
Preparatory Prayer
O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear thy holy Scapular! Faithful protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of this beloved Son, my Saviour, choose thee for my Patroness, that, through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.
Pray Our Father and Hail Mary three times…
Litany Of Loretto
Pray The Litany of Loretto…
Let us Pray.
O Almighty and Eternal God! who didst adorn the holy Order of Thy Immaculate and Ever Blessed Mother with the glorious title of Carmel, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration may, by the assistance of Thy holy grace, turn their affections from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee. Who liveth and reigneth, one God world without end. Amen.
Pray Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father…
First Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
O Most Glorious and Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! I, an unworthy wearer of thy holy Scapular, confident, however, that the Church does not call thee in vain the “Refuge of Sinners,” do beseech thee to make me sensible of the favors thou hast conferred upon me, by promoting the welfare of thy holy Order, that, being truly contrite for past offenses, I may, by thy aid and assistance, break the chains of my slavery, and live henceforward in the happy liberty of the children of God. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
Second Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
O Almighty and Eternal God, vouchsafe to impart to us, Thy unworthy servants, a small portion of that heavenly grace with which Thou hast been pleased to sanctify Thy servant Mary and grant that, through her intercession and protection, we may be shielded against all temptations, and be secure from all our enemies. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
Third Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
Remember, O most pious Virgin, it is a thing unheard of that thou hast ever forsaken those who have recourse to thee. Encouraged with this hope and confidence, my most dear Mother, I, a miserable sinner, cast myself at thy sacred feet, humbly begging that thou wilt adopt me as thy child forever, and take upon thee the care of my eternal salvation: do not, Mother of the Word Incarnate! reject my petition, but graciously hear, and grant it. Amen.
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
Fourth Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
O most glorious and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! I, thy unworthy child and client, sensible of the favors thou enjoyest with God, humbly present myself before thee, and beg that thou wilt intercede and obtain for me true contrition and repentance, an undefiled purity of heart, and a conscience free from sin and all offense against God; direct me, I beseech thee, in all my actions during life, and in that awful moment when my poor soul departs from my, body, conduct it into the presence of thy Son, there to sing His praises forever and ever. Amen.
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
Fifth Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
O Most Glorious Virgin Mother! who, by favor of thy Divine Son, hast so great power in heaven and on earth, enlighten my blindness and strengthen my resolution. The zeal thou hast in promoting the welfare of thy sacred Order, and the part thou takest in seeing the grace of our Redeemer abound in us, give me a right to thy interest in this my request; and, when that awful hour of death approaches, be to me, I beseech thee, a tender Mother, and by thy prayers dispose thy Son Jesus Christ favorably in my regard. Amen.
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
Sixth Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
O most glorious and ever Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! I offer unto thee, this day, all my thoughts, words and actions; I am weak and infirm, dejected and cast down at every tribulation, and terrified at the dismal prospect a review of my own interior gives me. All is misery, a continual propensity to vice, and repugnance to virtue. O Mother of Mercy and refuge of sinners! thou wilt not reject a contrite and humble heart. Intercede for me, I beseech thee, that I may so live in this sinful world, that at the hour of death I may be worthy to be admitted into the Regions of Bliss. Through Our Lord JesusChrist, who, with the Father and the Son, liveth and reigneth, One God, world without end. Amen.
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
Seventh Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
O Most Holy Mary of Mt. Carmel! pray for me, I beseech thee, that, through the merits of thy Son, I may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and that I may serve Him faithfully in this life, and hereafter see, love, and enjoy Him in the kingdom of His glory, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, One God, world without end. Amen.
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
Eighth Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
O most glorious and ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! faithful Protectress of all those who wear thy holy Scapular, behold thy poor servant, humbly prostrate at thy feet, deploring his misery and imploring thy prayers, and beseeching thee to protect him through the stormy ocean of this tempestuous world; hear my prayers then, O refuge of sinners! and after this our exile show unto us the Blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O most clement, O most loving, O most sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
Ninth Day
Pray the Preparatory Prayer…
Let us Pray.
O Blessed Finder of Grace, Mother of Life, Mother of Salvation! may we through thee have access to thy Son; and that He, who was given us through thee, may receive us through thee; may thy integrity and innocence excuse before Him the stain of our corruption: may thy abundant charity cover the multitude of our sins, and thy glorious fruitfulness supply our want of merits. Our Mother, our Mediatrix, our Advocate! reconcile us to thy Son, commend us to thy Son, present us to thy Son; by the grace with which thou art honored, obtain that He, who through thee put on our weakness, may, through thee, make us partakers of His bliss and glory. Amen.
Pray the Litany of Loretto…
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This article is taken from a chapter in The Little Flower Prayerbook by Rev. Columba Downey, O. Carm. which is available from TAN Books.
