The Devotions of the Faithful
Across centuries and cultures, the children of Mary have honored her with prayer, song, image, and pilgrimage. A garden of devotion.
The Holy Rosary
The Marian Psalter: 150 Hail Marys meditating on the mysteries of Christ's life. The Church's most beloved devotion.
The Angelus
Three times daily — at dawn, noon, and dusk — bells call the faithful to recall the Annunciation and the Incarnation.
The Brown Scapular
A wearable habit of Mary, given by her at Mount Carmel — a sign of consecration and her motherly protection.
The Miraculous Medal
The medal of the Immaculate Conception given to St. Catherine Labouré: 'O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.'
The Memorare
St. Bernard's prayer of trust: 'Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection was left unaided.'
Consecration to Jesus through Mary
Popularized by St. Louis de Montfort: a total entrustment of self to Christ through the hands of his Mother. 'Totus Tuus' — John Paul II's motto.
The Seven Sorrows
Meditation on the seven swords that pierced Mary's heart — from Simeon's prophecy to the burial of her Son. Promoted by the Servites.
The Litany of Loreto
Sung at Loreto since the 16th century: more than fifty titles of praise — Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Star of the Sea, Refuge of Sinners.
Marian Antiphons
Four great antiphons sung at Compline through the year: Alma Redemptoris Mater, Ave Regina Caelorum, Regina Caeli, Salve Regina.
The First Saturdays
Devotion requested at Fátima: Confession, Communion, Rosary, and meditation on five consecutive first Saturdays in reparation to her Immaculate Heart.
Pilgrimage
From Walsingham to Guadalupe, from Lourdes to Częstochowa — Mary draws her children on the road to her shrines.
The Magnificat
Mary's own canticle, prayed every evening at Vespers throughout the Catholic world for over fifteen centuries.
The Many Names of Mary
One Mother, countless titles — each a window onto a facet of the mystery of grace.