Carmelite Prayer

Carmelite and Popular Marian Prayers

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady

Some of the most ancient and beautiful Christian prayers are addressed to the Mother of God. None, however, surpasses Mary’s own great canticle, the Magnificat, which is the inspiration of many prayers to Our Lady. Here is a selection of the best known Marian prayers, and lesser known prayers from the Carmelite tradition that speak of Mary as Mother, Patron, Sister, Beauty of Carmel and Queen..

 

The Magnificat

(The Canticle of Mary – Luke 1:46-55)

 

My soul glorifies the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.

He looks on his servant in her lowliness;

henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me.

Holy his name!

His mercy is from age to age,

on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength

and scatters the proud-hearted.

He casts the mighty from their thrones

and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things,

sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, his servant,

remembering his mercy,

the mercy promised to our forebears,

to Abraham and his line for ever.

Ave Maria (Hail Mary)

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners now,

and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

 

Flos Carmeli (Flower of Carmel)

Please click here to see this ancient Carmelite hymn to Mary.

 

Verses to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

as prayed at the Carmelite friary at Aylesford, Kent

 

V. Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel;

R. Be our constant hope.

 

V. Mary, perfect disciple of the Lord;

R. Make us also faithful to him.

 

V. Mary, Flower of Carmel;

R. Fill us with your joy.

 

V. Virgin Mary, beauty of Carmel;

R. Smile upon your family.

 

V. Gentle Mother of Carmel;

R. Embrace me as your child.

 

V. Mary, Mother beyond compare

R. Remember your children forever.

 

V. Holy Virgin, Star of the Sea;

R. Be our beacon of light.

 

V. Protecting Veil;

R. Shelter us in the mantle of your love.

 

V. Mary, conceived without sin;

R. Pray for us who have recourse to you.

 

Let us pray:

O Father of all, look upon us as your children,

and support us with your strength.

May we, who honour the memory of

Our Lady of Mount Carmel,

always rejoice in her unfailing protection.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Acclamations in honour of the Mother of Christ

 

Mary the Dawn – Christ the Perfect Day;

Mary the Gate – Christ the Heavenly Way!

Mary the Root – Christ the Mystic Vine;

Mary the Grape – Christ the Sacred Wine!

Mary the Stem – Christ the Rose, blood-red;

Mary the Wheat – Christ the Living Bread!

Mary the Fount – Christ the Cleansing Flood;

Mary the Cup – Christ the Saving Blood!

Mary the Temple – Christ the Temple’s Lord;

Mary the Shrine – Christ the God adored!

Mary the Beacon – Christ the heaven’s Rest;

Mary the Mirror – Christ the Vision Blest!

Mary the Mother – Christ the Mother’s Son;

By all things bless’d while endless ages run!

 

 

Prayer before an Image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

 

O God, you have given us Mary as our Mother

and through the Order of Carmel

we learn to call her sister.

May we imitate her goodness and faith,

and be ever joyful in the wonderful things

you have done for us.

May Mary watch over and protect us

on our pilgrim way to your holy mountain,

Christ the Lord.

We make our prayer through the same Christ,

our Lord. Amen.

(Terenure College, Dublin, Ireland)

 

 

Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen)

 

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,

hail our life our sweetness and our hope.

To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;

to you do we send up our sighs, mourning

and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then most gracious advocate,

your eyes of mercy towards us;

and after this our exile,

show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

 

Let us pray:

Protect your servants, Lord, and keep us in peace.

As we trust in the intercession of the

Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints,

keep us safe from every danger

and bring us to everlasting life

through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Regina Coeli

(Antiphon to Our Lady for Eastertime)

 

O Queen of Heaven, rejoice; Alleluia!

For he whom thou didst merit to bear: Alleluia!

Has risen, as he said: Alleluia!

Pray for us to God: Alleluia!

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary:

R. For the Lord has risen indeed, Alleluia!

 

Let us pray:

O God, who through the resurrection of thy Son,

Our Lord, Jesus Christ,

was pleased to give joy to the world,

grant we beseech you,

that like his mother, the Virgin Mary,

we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Amen.

 

 

Memorare

 

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone,

who fled to your protection,

implored your help, or sought your intercession,

was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence,

I fly to you, O virgin of virgins my Mother.

To you do I come,

before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word incarnate,

despise not my petitions,

but in your clemency,

hear and answer me. Amen.

 

Dedication to Mary, our Mother

 

Pray for us ever, Holy Mother of God.

Pray for us, whatever be our cross,

as we pass along our way.

Pray for us, and we shall rise again,

though we have fallen.

Pray for us when sorrow,

anxiety or sickness comes upon us.

Pray for us when we are prostrate

under the power of temptation.

(Cardinal John Henry Newman)

 

 

Our guiding star

 

When the storm of temptation arises,

when you are amidst the reefs and shoals of tribulation,

fix your gaze on the Star of the Sea.

Call upon Mary.

 

Do the billows of anger, of avarice, of lust

batter against your soul – invoke her name.

In perils and sorrows and fears

fix your gaze on the Star of the Sea.

Call upon Mary.

 

Under her protection, you shall know no fear.

Under her guidance, you shall not falter.

Under her patronage, you shall reach your goal.

Fix your gaze on the Star of the Sea.

Call upon Mary.

(St. Bernard)

 

The Angelus

A traditional prayer for morning, noon and evening

 

V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary:

R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary...

 

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord:

R. Be it done to me according to your word.

Hail Mary...

 

V. And the Word was made flesh:

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary...

 

V. Pray for us, O holy mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

 

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we to whom the incarnation of Christ, your 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. Amen.

 

The Rosary

The Rosary is an ancient pattern of prayer popular among Christians. At heart it is a series of mediations on some aspects – or ‘mysteries’ – of the life of Jesus and his mother Mary. The full Rosary is made up of praying four sets of five mysteries, though normally only one set of mysteries is prayed at one sitting (a ‘chaplet’). Meditation on each mystery is accompanied by the praying of the Lord’s Prayer, followed by ten ‘Hail Mary’s’, concluding with one ‘Glory be’. There can also be a space for private reflection. Though Dominican in origin, the Rosary is a popular devotion in the Carmelite Family and across the wider Church. Many pilgrims to Aylesford Priory in Kent offer this prayer as they walk the Rosary Way.

 

The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation of the Lord

   Be it done unto me according to your word. (Luke 1:38)

The Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

   My soul magnifies the Lord. (Luke 1:46)

The Nativity of the Lord

   Peace on earth to those in God’s favour. (Luke 2:14)

The Presentation of the Lord

   My eyes have seen your salvation. (Luke 2:30)

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

   I must be busy with my Father’s affairs. (Luke 2:49)

 

The Mysteries of Light

The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan

   You are my Son, the Beloved. (Mark 1:11)

The Sign at the Wedding Feast of Cana

   His disciples believed in him. (John 2:11)

The Preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven

   Repent and believe. (Mark 1:15)

The Transfiguration

   It is wonderful for us to be here. (Luke 9:33)

The Institution of the Eucharist

   This is my body. (Matthew 26:26)

 

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

   Not my will, but yours, be done. (Matthew 26:39)

The Scouring at the Pillar

   First scourged, then handed over to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26)

The Crowning with Thorns

   Pilate said: ‘Here is the man!’ (John 19:5)

The Carrying of the Cross

   Do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves. (Luke 23:28)

The Crucifixion of the Lord

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection of Jesus

The Ascension of Jesus

The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven

The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and the Glory of all the Saints

A book on Mary and the Rosary by Fr. Hugh Clarke, O.Carm., is available from Saint Albert's Press.