Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena - Day One

First Day

The words of Our Lady of Guadalupe spoken to the Indian, Juan Diego, on the hill of Tepeyac, December 9, 1531,

     "My dear son, whom I love tenderly, know that I am the Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God; the Giver and maintainer of life; Creator of all things; Lord of Heaven and Earth, Who is in all places.  I wish a temple to be erected here, where I can manifest the compassion I have for the natives and for ALL who solicit my help."

     These your words, my heavenly Mother, fill my heart with love and gratitude, with renewed faith and hope, because they were directed to me also.  Therefore, I turn to you, confident of obtaining through your intercession, the graces which will enable me to live in accordance with the teaching of your Divine Son, Jesus, whom I desire to love with all my heart.  You shared in all that my Saviour suffered for me, therefore I also belong to you, and you are my loving Mother.

     Do not abandon me in this vale of tears; take pity, I beg you, on my poverty and necessities; have compassion on my anxieties and cares; assist and comfort me in all my infirmities and miseries.

say four Hail Mary's and the Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe

     Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions.  You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.  Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, either for the common welfare, or in personal anxieties, was left unaided.

     Inspired by this confidence, we run to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God!  Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before your presence, certain that you will fulfill your merciful promises.  We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness, or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

     You wanted to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life.  Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.

     Our Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us.  Amen.