Solemnity - Mary, the Mother of God

Our Lady of Fatima with Lei
Photo by Esther
Prayer in Praise of the Mother of God

Mary, our Mother,
the whole world reveres you
as the holiest shrine of the living God,
for in you the salvation of the world dawned.
The Son of God was pleased
to take human form from you.
You have broken down the wall of hatred,
the barrier between heaven and earth
which was set up by man's first disobedience
In you heaven met earth
when divinity and humanity were joined in one person,
the God-Man.

Mother of God, we sing your praises,
but we must praise you even more.
Our speech is too feeble to honor you
as we ought
for no tongue is eloquent enough
to express your excellence.
Mary, most powerful, most holy,
and worthy of all love!
Your name brings new life,
and the thought of you inspires love
in the hearts of those devoted to you.

......St. Bernard

New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing Co., NY