traditional Marian prayers

Most Catholics are familiar with the prayers of the Rosary. We’ve collected a number of other Marian prayers through which Catholics traditionally express devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Turning God’s Word Bible study Scripture and the Rosary: New Testament Mysteries, Old Testament Parallels has been granted an imprimatur from the Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, bishop emeritus of the Des Moines Diocese, and free lessons are available on our website throughout the year. At ex libris—main bookshelf, you can read reviews of books about the Blessed Virgin and find links to papal documents about the Rosary. Check out saints & the Rosary, information about saints especially devoted to the Rosary.

Star of the New Evangelization
In Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, the Holy Father encourages a “Marian style” of evangelization, lauding the Blessed Virgin Mary’s revolutionary love and tenderness and offering the following prayer.

Mary, Virgin and Mother,
you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,
welcomed the word of life
in the depths of your humble faith:
As you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,
help us to say our own “yes”
to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,
to proclaim the good news of Jesus.
Filled with Christ’s presence,
you brought joy to John the Baptist,
making him exult in the womb of his mother.
Brimming over with joy,
you sang of the great things done by God.
Standing at the foot of the cross
with unyielding faith,
you received the joyful comfort of the Resurrection,
and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit
so that the evangelizing Church might be born.

Obtain for us now a new ardor born of the Resurrection,
that we may bring to all the Gospel of life
which triumphs over death.
Give us a holy courage to seek new paths,that the gift of unfading beauty
may reach every man and woman.
Virgin of listening and contemplation,
Mother of love, Bride of the eternal wedding feast,
pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are,
that she may never be closed in on herself
or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom.
Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love of the poor,
that the joy of the Gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of our world.
Mother of the living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,
pray for us.
Amen. Alleluia!

Alma Redemptoris Mater
This is one of four Marian prayers traditionally sung during the Advent Season as part of Liturgy of the Hours at the close of Compline, or night prayer.

Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.

Angelus Domini
The ringing of the Angelus bell usually announces this prayer, which is based on the scriptural account of the Annunciation. Its history dates back at least 700 years. The Angelus developed in monasteries and traditionally was prayed at the beginning of the day, at noon, and in the evening.

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
And the Word was made flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord,
thy grace into our hearts;
that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, thy Son,
was made known by the message of an angel,
may by his Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.
Through the same Christ our Lord.

Ave Regina Caelorum
Following the end of the Christmas season until Wednesday of Holy Week, this Marian antiphon traditionally is sung at the close of Compline.

Hail, Queen of heaven;
Hail, Mistress of the Angels;
Hail, root of Jesse;
Hail, the gate through which Light rose over the earth.
Rejoice, Virgin most renowned and of unsurpassed beauty.

Litany of Loreto
Also known as the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this prayer contains many of the titles used to refer to the Mother of God. In 1587 it was approved for public use in the Church by Pope Sixtus V.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
God, our Father in heaven. have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Most honored of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother of chaste love, pray for us.
Mother and virgin, pray for us.
Sinless Mother, pray for us.
Dearest of mothers, pray for us.
Model of motherhood, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Virgin most wise, pray for us.
Virgin rightly praised, pray for us.
Virgin rightly renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin gentle in mercy, pray for us.
Faithful Virgin, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Throne of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Shrine of the Spirit, pray for us.
Glory of Israel, pray for us.
Vessel of selfless devotion, pray for us.
Mystical Rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning Star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comfort of the troubled, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs and prophets, pray for us.
Queen of apostles and martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors and virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Pray for us, holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body.
Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary
free us from the sorrows of this life
and lead us to happiness in the life to come.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Meria, Mater Gratiae
This simple prayer is taken from the Roman Ritual of the Catholic Church.

Mary, Mother of grace and Mother of mercy,
shield me from the enemy
and receive me at the hour of my death.

Megalynarion
A Greek word that means “magnification,” this Megalynarion honoring Mary as Theotokos, or “God-bearer,” is taken from the Byzantine Rite of the DIvine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

It is proper to call you blessed, ever-esteemed Theotokos,
most pure, and Mother of God.
You who are more worthy of honor than the cherubim
and far more glorious than the seraphim,
you who incorruptibly gave birth to God the Word,
verily Theotokos, we fervently extol you.

Memorare
This prayer is believed to have first appeared in the 15th century as part of a longer prayer. It was made popular by Claude Bernard in the 17th century.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Regina Caeli
This 12-century antiphon is sung at the close of Compline and also takes the place of the noon Angelus during the Easter Season (Holy Saturday through Pentecost Sunday).

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,
has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray:
O God, who through the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
did vouchsafe to give joy to the world;
grant, we beseech you, that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary,
we may obtain the joys of everlasting life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.

Salve, Regina
The Salve Regina is sung at the close of Compline during Ordinary Time between the liturgical seasons of Easter and Advent.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this, our exile, show unto us
the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Sancta Maria, Succurre Miseris
This prayer appears in the Roman Breviary for various Marian feasts.

Holy Mary, succor the miserable,
help the faint-hearted,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for thy people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God;
may all who keep thy holy commemoration feel now thy help and protection.

Sub Tuum Praesidium
This prayer dates to the middle of the third century and originally was written in Greek. It is believed to be the oldest existing hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God.
Despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.