“O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but hear and answer me”

This prayer goes out to my father in California. God hear the prayers of Mary, and grant our petitions through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

R. Who is she, arising like the dawn,
as fair as the moon,
as bright as the sun,
as majestic as a sweeping army with billowing banners?

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

R. Who is she, arising like the dawn,
as fair as the moon,
as bright as the sun,
as majestic as a sweeping army with billowing banners?

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

R. Who is she, arising like the dawn,
as fair as the moon,
as bright as the sun,
as majestic as a sweeping army with billowing banners?

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

R. Who is she, arising like the dawn,
as fair as the moon,
as bright as the sun,
as majestic as a sweeping army with billowing banners?

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

R. Who is she, arising like the dawn,
as fair as the moon,
as bright as the sun,
as majestic as a sweeping army with billowing banners?

V. Blessed be the Mother of God, Mary most holy.
R. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.

Hail powerful Queen, Mother of Courage,
our life, our strength, our hope.
To you we protest, your oppressed children,
raging and weeping,
on this treacherous mountain.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your blessings of courage upon us,
and break this bondage of silence, our slavery;
after this our exile,
show to us the power the nurtures
the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O fearless, O mighty, O invincible Virgin Mary.
Amen.¹

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¹Mananzan, Osb, Sr. Mary John, ed. Manila: Institute of Women's Studies, St. Scholastica's College, 1988.