Novena to the Immaculate Conception
Honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin, with this beautiful novena traditionally prayed from November 29 to December 7.
"I am the Immaculate Conception."
— Our Lady to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, March 25, 1858
Daily Prayer
Opening Prayer
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
Prayer to Our Lady
O Most Holy Virgin, who was pleasing to the Lord and became His Mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly upon us wretches who implore your powerful patronage. The wicked serpent, against whom was hurled the first curse, continues fiercely to attack and ensnare the unhappy children of Eve.
O blessed Mother, our Queen and Advocate, who from the first moment of your conception did crush the head of our enemy, receive the prayers which we unite to your own and present them at the throne of God, that we may never fall into the snares prepared for us; that we may all arrive at the port of salvation; and that in so many dangers the Church and Christian society may once more sing the hymn of deliverance, victory, and peace.
Petition
[State your intention here]
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
Conclude With
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Daily Meditations
Day 1: Mary's Immaculate Conception
Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin from the first moment of her conception, preparing her to be a worthy dwelling for the Son of God.
Day 2: Mary's Perfect Purity
From her conception, Mary was filled with sanctifying grace in a degree surpassing that of the highest angels and saints.
Day 3: Mary's Humility
Despite her unique privileges, Mary remained the humblest of creatures, calling herself the handmaid of the Lord.
Day 4: Mary's Faith
Mary believed the angel's message though it surpassed all human understanding, becoming blessed among women through her faith.
Day 5: Mary's Obedience
In accepting God's will, Mary became the model of perfect obedience, undoing the disobedience of Eve.
Day 6: Mary's Love
Mary's immaculate heart burned with love for God and for all her spiritual children, whom she received at the foot of the Cross.
Day 7: Mary's Sorrows
The Immaculate Heart of Mary was pierced with sorrows as Simeon prophesied, uniting her suffering with her Son's redemption.
Day 8: Mary's Glory
As the Immaculate Conception, Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven, crowned as Queen of Angels and Saints.
Day 9: Mary Our Mother
The Immaculate Virgin is our spiritual mother, ever ready to help us obtain the graces we need for salvation.
The Dogma
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception was solemnly defined by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, in the Apostolic Constitution "Ineffabilis Deus":
"We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful."
Four years later, in 1858, Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes and confirmed this truth by declaring: "I am the Immaculate Conception."