Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Kosciol Niepokalanego Serca Najswietszej Maryi Panny
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"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: His steadfast love endures forever. Hosanna to God, Hosanna to the highest! Let Israel say, "His love endures forever!" And all who fear God say, "His love endures forever!" Hosanna to God, Hosanna in the highest"!
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"O Lord Jesus Christ, when You entered Jerusalem, great crowds waved palm branches and cried, "Hosanna". Save us now from our sins, and make us rejoice in You, our only Redeemer: through Your mercy, O our God, You are blessed, and live and govern all things, now and forever". Amen
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A Prayer for Ukraine:
"Loving God, we pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid, that You will be close to them
and protect them. We pray for world leaders, for compassion,
strength and wisdom to guide their choices. We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our
brothers and sisters in need. May we walk in Your ways so that peace
and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world".
Amen
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MASS SCHEDULE
(8:00 am Daily Mass is in the convent chapel Monday thru Saturday. Doors open at 7:30 am)
SATURDAY April 12
8:00 am + Caroline Kowel
4:00 pm + Roche, Frizek & Cockrell Families
SUNDAY April 13
8:00 am + Holy Name Society
10:00 am + Mieczyslaw Bogdanowicz (Birthday Remembrance)
12:00 pm + Melanie Mohney (11th Anniversary of Death)
MONDAY April 14
8:00 am + Chester, HIlda & Kenneth Zmija
TUESDAY April 15
8:00 am For Our Parish Family
WEDNESDAY April 16
8:00 am + Thomas Bilski
THURSDAY April 17
8:00 am NO 8 AM MASS
7:00 pm Mass of the Lord's Supper (Bilingual)
FRIDAY April 18
8:00 am NO 8 AM MASS
2:15 pm Stations (English)
3:00 pm The Lord's Passion (English)
5:30 pm Stations (Polish)
6:00 pm The Lord's Passion (Polish)
SATURDAY April 19
12:00 pm Food Blessing (English)
1:00 pm Food Blessing (Polish)
2:00 pm Food Blessing (Polish)
7:30 pm For Our Parish Family (Bilingual)
SUNDAY April 20
8:00 am For Our Parish Family
10:00 am Celebrant Intention
12:00 pm Celebrant Intention
+ Deceased
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IHM Parish Office will be Closed in Observance of the Holy Week Triduum - The parish office will close on Holy Thursday, April 17th at 3:00 p.m., and will reopen on Monday, April 21st at 9:00-3:00 p.m.
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Daily Morning Mass - is at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday (EXCEPT during Holy Week: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday only) in the convent chapel. The door opens at 7:30 a.m. Participating in it during these three days before Holy Thursday would be a wonderful way to enter into the observance of the Triduum: the Last Supper, Passion and Death and Resurrection of the Lord.
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IHM Art & Environment Committee - will prepare our church for Holy Week services on Wednesday, April 16th at 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, April 17th at 8:30 p.m.; and Friday, April 18th at 7:30 p.m. If you would like to help in this ministry for our parish, then, join us in the church on these designated days and times.
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Confession-Penance-Reconciliation - have you participated in this sacrament yet this Lent? Additional opportunities at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church are: April 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 at 8:30-9:00 a.m. April 12th at 3:00-3:30 p.m., which is our regular Saturday time. The confessions will be heard in English and Polish.
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Coffee & Donuts - will be available in the school gym on Sunday, April 13th after 8:00 a.m. Mass. Please join us and socialize with your fellow Mass attendees and parishioners. This activity occurs on the second Sunday of the month.
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Parish Pastoral Council - meets Monday, April 14th at 6:00 p.m. in the rectory. If a member is unable to be present, please leave a message for Father Hudak (216-341-2734).
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Food Blessings on Holy Saturday, April 19th are at - 12:00 Noon in English and 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm in Polish.
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Plan Ahead to Make Your Easter Gift to IHM Parish Special - Remember to use your regular Sunday, April 20th envelope PLUS your extra envelope for Easter found in your monthly mailed home packet of envelopes. For those who do not receive this monthly packet of envelopes at home, special Easter envelopes are available in the church bulletin racks. Try to do what you are able during these continuing difficult economic times. For those unable to attend Mass at church, your envelope donations are vital for the financial well-being of our parish. Please mail your envelope, or put it into the slot on the rectory office door. Do NOT put it into the mailbox. Thank You! Father Ralph Hudak.
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Presented Here are Some of our Recent Easter Collections:
2024 - $17,851.50 2021 - $17,989.00 2018 - $16,760.45
2023 - $16,176.00 2020 - $11,894.00 2017 - $16,959.00
2022 - $18,563.00 2019 - $16,427.00 2016 - $15,854.00
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Good Friday (April 18) - is a day of abstinence from meat and also a day of fast, that is, limited to a single full meal. With regard to Good Friday, the teaching of the Vatican Council II should be recalled: "Let the paschal fast be kept sacred. Let it be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday, and where possible, prolonged throughout Holy Saturday, so that the joys of the Sunday of the Resurrection may be attained with uplifted and clear mind". The law of fasting binds all Catholics from their 18th birthday until their 59th (Canons 97 & 1252). Questions about the seriousness of the matter - The teaching of the Holy Father may be simply paraphrased: The obligation to do penance is a serious one; the obligation to observe the penitential days specified by the Church is serious. People should seek to do more rather that less. Fast and abstinence on the days prescribed should be considered a minimum response to the Lord's call to penance and conversion.
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Pontifical Good Friday Collection - Pope Francis has asked us to support this collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land, where they are now less than 2% of the population. Your support is essential to help the Church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools, and offer religious education. This collection helps to preserve the sacred shrines of Christianity, including in Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem, to name only a few. The pandemic hit Christians in the Holy Land particularly hard, and the violence continues. All of this makes it difficult for pilgrims to come and visit. There is an envelope in your mailed home packet for this purpose, and more available in the bulletin racks. For more information about Christians in the Holy Land, visit (www.myfrancisan.org).
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For IHM Parishioners Information: Plumbing Repairs in the School - Most of the pipes in the school are decades old. When leaks occur, we have tried to take care of them, but in most cases, this was a bandage solution. The boys bathroom on the second floor and the girls bathroom on the first floor required a completely new set of PVC drain pipes, etc.
$15,200.00 (3-24-25) boys urinals
$11,150.00 (3-25-25) boys toilets
$849.00 (3-27-25) preliminary investigation of problems
$16,567.00 (4-04-25) girls toilets
Sal's Heating & Cooling Co. in North Royalton did the work. Father Ralph Hudak
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An Important Notification to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parishioners - Fr. Andrzej Panek concludes his assignment, after 10 years, as Parochial Vicar of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, effective June 2, 2025. He will then return to the Diocese of Rzeszow in Poland.
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2025 Catholic Charities Appeal Update for Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish - as of the February 2025 report: Goal is $9,275.00; Pledged - $4,720.00; 50.89% to Goal Fulfilled $1,357.00. Households are 344; Donors are 10.3%. Remember to fulfill your pledge during this appeal year. If you would like to participate, envelopes can be found in the pamphlet racks near the confessionals. Thank you to all the participants.
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Hot Meal Program Every Thursday - Please join us at the St. John Paul II Ozanam Center located at Holy Name Church, 8328 Broadway Avenue, for a hot meal. Dinner is served in the Parish Hall every Thursday between 4-5:30 p.m. NO TAKE-OUTS!
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Contemplative Stations of the Cross - Sunday, April 13th, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Jesuit Retreat Center. Located at 5629 State Road in Parma. Presented by Bill Hobbs and Margaret Mach, SC. Through Ignatian Imaginative prayer, reflective readings, quiet music and time for contemplation, we will spend the evening reliving the final day and hours of Jesus' passion. Free will offering. For more information, call (440-884-9300) or (https://jesuitretreatcenter.org).
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District Pre-Baptism Class - for parents will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes, 3395 East 53rd, on Sunday, April 27th at 11:15 am. Call the parish office during regular business hours to register or for more information (216-641-2829).
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Thursdays & Fridays of Lent: Stations of the Cross & Evening Mass - provide special spiritual opportunities. ENGLISH: on Thursdays 6:30 pm Stations of the Cross & 7:00 pm Mass; POLISH: on Fridays 6:30 pm Stations of the Cross & 7:00 pm Mass.
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Available Mass Dates in May & June - Please consider scheduling a Mass for your beloved death or any other special date. Also, remember that the Saturday 8:00 am Mass has been reinstated. In May: 4th - 12p and 11th - 12p. In June: 1st - 12p, 4th - 8a, 8th - 12p, 12th - 8a, 15th - 8a, 22nd 8a & 12p and 30th - 8a.
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Aid to the Catholic Church in Central & Eastern Europe - For many in these areas, as well as parts of Asia, the aftermath of 70 years of Soviet rule is still experienced through poverty, infrequent pastoral care, and lack of buildings for the faithful to worship in and in which to cultivate their faith. Today, these countries have become more stressed, because Putin and the Russians declared war on Ukraine. There is the fear that Soviet rule could come back. Your support strengthens the Church of this region through grants that provide pastoral care, affordable shelter, and a cultural and spiritual education to those in need. There is an envelope for this purpose in your monthly mailed home packet. For more information, please visit (www.usccb.org/ccee). You can donate to this cause throughout the season of Lent.
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Contribution Statements for 2024 - Registered parishioners who need a tax statement of their 2024 contributions for tax purposes may request one by calling the rectory at 216-341-2734 during office hours (Mon.-Fri. 9-2 pm), sending a note through the mail or put a note in the collection basket. Please include in this note your NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER and ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTION NUMBER. Thank You!
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"40 Days for Life" from March 5 to April 13 - you are invited to join other Christians for Life - 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. You are also invited to stand and peacefully pray anytime between 7 am to 7 pm during the 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside PRETERM - 12000 Shaker Blvd., Cleveland or PLANNED PARENTHOOD - 25350 Rockside Road, Bedford Hts., or SIGNATURE HEALTH - 54 South State St., Painesville. Contact John Noall for more information (216-245-9744) or (clevelandpraysforlife@gmail.com).
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Pre-Cana Days at the Jesuit Retreat Center - located at 5629 State Road in Parma (https://www.jesuitretreatcenter.org) or 440-884-9300. Register-on-line: Click on "Retreats & Programs", go down to "Pre-Cana". Dates all on Sundays 2025: May 4, June 1 and August 24. Cost $80. 12:30-6:30 pm. Topics to be covered include: Communication, Sexuality, Everyday Living and the Sacrament of Marriage. The day will include prayer, presentations, couple sharing (most important part of the day), Mass and dinner. Dress is casual. Register early.
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Parish Pre-Cana Sites Programs - Go to the diocese website for the list: https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/offices/parish-life/marriage-and-family-ministry/marriage/pre-cana.
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Operation Rice Bowl - During the days of Lent, our parish will participate in the "ORB" Catholic Relief Service's Lenten program. This year "ORB" asks us to PRAY as a community, FAST in solidarity with those who hunger, GIVE concrete assistance to those most in need, while we LEARN about the joys and challenges in the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world. The theme for this 50th year anniversary is "For Lent For Life". The Rice Bowl is available on the tables near the church doors. We have 100 of them. If you wish to participate, take one of them, then, on Easter put your total donation into the large container near the marble pulpit.
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Thank You from Our Neighbor Parish - The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (St. John Nepomucene Church) would like to thank the parishioners of IHM Church for your generous donation of can and paper products to our food pantry (11 boxes) on February 10th. It was very much appreciated. It will help many people at Easter. We make bags of food available for about 20-30 households per month.
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Mass Intention Book for 2025 was opened on June 25, 2024 - To schedule in person, please come to the rectory on Monday & Friday, 10:30 am - 2:00 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm. The stipend for a Mass intention is the Diocesan recommended $10. Only two weekend Masses will be permitted per every five intentions scheduled. To accommodate those with a work-schedule, homebound or traveling a long distance conflict, we will accept requests in writing. These may be mailed to the rectory (6700 Lansing Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44105) or place in the Sunday collection basket. Please mark the envelope, "Mass Intentions", include in it your name, phone number, the name for whom the Mass is intended, Mass date and time, and stipend. Make checks out to "Immaculate Heart of Mary Church". If you have a special anniversary to celebrate, DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to schedule it!
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Protecting God's Children - The Diocese of Cleveland's "Protecting God's Children" program is a continuing effort to instruct and inform everyone about the protection of children from sexual abuse. To report any past or present suspected inappropriate behavior toward children by priests, deacons, religious, lay ecclesial ministers or personnel associated with the Church, please contact the Diocesan response Service Office at 216-334-2999 or via email at (responseservices@dioceseofcleveland.org). You are also asked to immediately inform local authorities about inappropriate behavior.
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Weekly Donations:
03/30/2025 - $3,770.00 (R&R) - $570.00
04/06/2025 - $2,193.00 (R&R) - $180.00
Keeping the Faith - $45.00
"Thank You" to all who have donated to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in these difficult times. You remain in my prayers. Fr. Ralph Hudak
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IHM Parishioners Support Catholic Education Through the Use of the Blue Envelope - The diocesan program "Keeping the Faith" has been implemented in IHM parish by collaborating with St. Stanislaus Elementary School. Through the use of the blue envelope in your mailed home packet with began in January 2024, IHM parishioners have donated to St. Stanislaus School, one year later $4,305.00. Thank you to all who have participated in this continuing program. You are encouraged to assist in this endeavor as the opportunity presents itself.
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Standing with Moms in Need (for your information) - "The Catholic Church has a long history of service to those who are most vulnerable and remains the largest private provider of social services in the United States. Through the sacrificial efforts of faithful Catholics, the Church serves millions through diocesan ministries and agencies, Catholic hospitals and schools and parishes. From religious communities to pregnancy care centers, from refugee resettlement services to foster care and adoption agencies, and form maternity homes to parish based ministries, the Church consistently bears witness in word and deed to the beauty and dignity of every human life - including both mother and child" (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops).
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Information for Senior Age People - If you have an IRA retirement account and you are 70 1/2 years or older, please consider an IRA Charitable Rollover to benefit your Parish, Catholic Charities, Priestly Formation, Catholic Education or another ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland and/or a "Not for Profit" organization in the community. For more information read some of the material place on the church bulletin board and in the two pamphlet racks near the confessionals.
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Are You in the Process of Moving? - In order to serve you the best way possible, we need your current information. Any changes in your family information should be updated with the Parish Office. Thank You!
************************************************************************************************************************** "A Closer Walk with Thee" - (CCA Monthly Grief Support E-Newsletter) - Subscribe to the Catholic Cemeteries Association's monthly grief support e-newsletter, "A Closer Walk with Thee". This e-newsletter is emailed the first Tuesday of each month to any family/individual who has expressed an interest in our bereavement programs. To subscribe to this valued grief support resource, visit: https://www.clecem.org/Information/Bereavement.aspx and click the tan signup box on the right side, contact Rhonda (rabrams@clecem.org) or call 216-930-4866. You can also click this link and go directly to the signup (https://bit.ly/ccabereavementbulletin).
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Catholic Cemeteries Association Grief Support/ "In-Office" and "Virtual" - We continue to provide free monthly grief support groups in two formats: In-Office (3pm) and Virtually (5pm). Our Grief Support Groups meet the 3rd Sunday of every month. Meetings are open discussion format, surrounding a monthly topic or whatever is on your heart. They do not build off each other so you can stop in any monthly and fit right in. If you are not yet able to talk about your grief, just come to listen and be in the presence of those who understand. The April 27th topic is "Mother's Day & Grief". We offer a comfortable, private and safe environment where you are free to explore your grief. Catholic Cemeteries Association follows the guidelines set by the CDC, the State of Ohio and the Diocese of Cleveland regarding COVID-19 protocols. We do however strongly suggest that those not yet vaccinated or who are otherwise vulnerable, continue to wear a facemask. CCA will continue to follow strong hygiene practices and encourage all who are ill to stay at home. Our Virtual Grief Support Group and our monthly grief support e-newsletter are excellent alternatives for individuals who are not able to join us in person for Grief Support. In Office: 3-4:00 pm at St. Joseph Cemetery, Avon (new office); Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron (office); Holy Cross Cemetery, Brookpark (office); Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland (office); All Saints Cemetery, Northfield (office) and All Souls Cemetery, Chardon (office). Virtual: 5-6:00 pm via ZOOM follows the same monthly topic discussion as the in-office groups. Sign-up at http://bit.ly/ccavirtualgriefsupportgroup to receive login information and the handout materials. You can join virtually from any Wi-Fi enabled are via computer, laptop, smartphone, or even without Wi-Fi (via audio only) from your analog phone. If you do not have Wi-Fi or email, please contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866. Your RSVP for both In-Person and Virtual Grief Support is appreciated but not required to attend. For more information or if you have questions, please contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866 or rabrams@clecem.org.
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Practicing Spiritual Communion - When the faithful are unable to physically attend Mass, they should be recommended to practice "spiritual communion", an act to which the saints have given a consistent witness. Spiritual communion is a traditional practice of expressing to the Lord our longing for Him and our desire for Him to enter our hearts. St. Theresa of Avila (1515-82) said: "When you do not receive Communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you". While there is no formula prescribed by the Church to make to an act of spiritual communion, prayers composed by various saints are part of the Church's rich treasury of devotions. One of the more popular acts of spiritual communion comes from St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787): "My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You". Amen
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The Sunday television Mass can be seen at 10:00 am on WUAB Channel 43 - This provides viewers with an opportunity to take part in the weekly celebration of the Mass at a much more convenient time. In addition, WUAB 43 is an over-the-air station that is accessible even to those without cable TV. Those with cable TV need only check their local cable system listing to determine where WUAB is located on their local channel line-up. The weekly TV Mass is produced by the Diocese of Cleveland. It originates from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland. The televised Mass has been a staple of religious programming on Northeast Ohio airwaves for decades, cultivating a dedicated and faithful following. It is hoped that viewers will continue to tune in on this new station at this new, more convenient time. The TV Mass can also be accessed on demand starting Saturday evening and running throughout Sunday on the Diocese of Cleveland website, www.dioceseofcleveland.org. In addition, the Mass can be heard on the radio on AM 1260 The Rock at 4:00 pm on Saturdays and 10:30 am on Sundays. Also, radio station WINT-1330 AM airs the Mass each Sunday at 9:00 am and Cox Communications cable subscribers can view the Mass on Sunday at 11:30 am on channel 45, and cable station 18 EWTN has its own Sunday and weekday (8:00 am, Noon & 7:00 pm) schedule of Masses. In addition to the Holy Mass, AM 1260 The Rock offers numerous opportunities for prayer throughout the day. The Holy Rosary at 5:30 am and 9:30 pm and the Divine Mercy Chaplet: 5:00 am Monday thru Friday; 3:00 pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please visit am1260therock.com for their full schedule.
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The Mass is the Greatest of Prayers - Some reasons for Mass Intentions are an expression of our faith, belief in life after death, belief in the power of prayer to help the deceased during their time of purification (souls in purgatory), for a particular person or persons who have died, for an anniversary of death, wedding anniversary, for health, alcohol-drug addiction, financial help, peace in the world, for our government, a happy death, respect for life, Devotion to Mary or other special intentions.
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THE MAGNIFICAT
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.
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.
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.
He has come to the help of His servant Israel
for He remembered His promise of mercy,
the promise He made to our fathers,
to Abraham and His children forever.
THE MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins,
my Mother.
To thee do I come,
before I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen
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