Jesus is Incarnate Mercy, in whom both truth and justice dwell; He is the very root of brotherly love. What the Annunciation was for Mary, the experience of mercy is for us. We must all be converted to Mercy—that is, we must choose to be merciful. Therefore, we must go to Mary, so that She may give us a heart capable of receiving Mercy just as Her Heart received it at the Annunciation. By allowing Mercy to dwell within our hearts, we truly become children of the Father, who sends rain and sunshine upon the good and the wicked alike. The words of Jesus are clear: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). To be perfect is to allow Mercy to continually give us new birth into life. Let us ask the Holy Spirit that, while praying with the Holy Scriptures and nourishing ourselves with the Word of God, we may understand that Mercy is Jesus Himself, pleading to be allowed to love us and liberating us from the sin that hinders love. Let us ask for this grace through Mary, the Virgin restored by Mercy and the Mother of Mercy, that She may help us persevere in it, love it, and be born from it. Then we shall be able to hope even when there is no longer any hope (cf. Rom 4:18).
O Mary, Mother of Mercy, keep watch with us so that we may believe in the power of Christ’s Cross; that humanity may not lose the way of goodness, nor lose the sense of sin; that we may grow in our hope in God, who is rich in Mercy; that we may freely perform the good works which God has prepared for us to do, and live always for the glory of His Majesty. Amen. (Prayer of St. John Paul II)
First Day (November 8th)
Most Glorious Queen, Merciful Mother, I greet Thee and fall upon my knees before Thy holy Icon. Humbly I beseech Thee: kindle the flame of love within my heart and obtain for me the grace that, by always serving Thee and Thy Son faithfully, I may, with Thy help, fulfill the will of God and attain eternal happiness. Mother of Mercy, intercede for me with Thy Son, that ………… (state your petition), which I humbly and with confidence ask of Jesus through Thee. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be to the Father… Mother of Mercy, pray for us!
Second Day (November 9th)
Holy Mary, Mother of Mercy, Queen of the World, who obtains great graces for those who turn to Thee at the Gate of Dawn, I greet Thee with all the love of my being. Humbly I pray that Thou wouldst obtain for me the favor of Thy Son and deign to open the gates of heaven for my eternal joy! Mother of Mercy, intercede for me with Thy Son, that ………… (state your petition), which I humbly and with confidence ask of Jesus through Thee. Amen.
Prayers…
Third Day (November 10th)
Holy Mary, Mother of Mercy, who desired to have Thy holy Icon at the Gate of Dawn so that all might turn to Thee, our Mother and Protectress, with their burdens—I come to Thee like a prodigal son, humbly pleading that Thou wouldst count me as Thy child and entrust me to Thy most beloved Son. Mother of Mercy, intercede for me with Thy Son, that ………… (state your petition), which I humbly and with confidence ask of Jesus through Thee. Amen.
Prayers…
Fourth Day (November 11th)
Holy Mary, Mother of Mercy, who through Thy holy Icon at the Gate of Dawn healest the sick and restorest the infirm to life, heal my soul burdened by sins. With Thy help, may I escape eternal death and live in eternal happiness with Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Mother of Mercy, intercede for me with Thy Son, that ………… (state your petition), which I humbly and with confidence ask of Jesus through Thee. Amen.
Prayers…
Fifth Day (November 12th)
Holy Mary, Mother of Mercy, the Fountain from which all may draw abundantly—assist me by praying for graces and protect me from the wrath of the world, that with Thy help, I may safely reach the haven of salvation. Mother of Mercy, intercede for me with Thy Son, that ………… (state your petition), which I humbly and with confidence ask of Jesus through Thee. Amen.
Prayers…
Sixth Day (November 13th)
Holy Mary, Mother of Mercy, Queen of the whole world, who obtainest countless graces for those who call upon Thee through Thy holy Icon at the Gate of Dawn—help me, an imperfect person, that while living on earth my heart may be in heaven, that I may constantly praise Thee and deserve the happiness of beholding Thee eternally. Mother of Mercy, intercede for me with Thy Son, that ………… (state your petition), which I humbly and with confidence ask of Jesus through Thee. Amen.
Prayers…
Seventh Day (November 14th)
Holy Mary, Mother of Mercy, gracious and generous through Thy holy Icon—here I stand, Thy ungrateful and unworthy child, before Thee. I confess my littleness and poverty and ask that Thou wouldst pray to Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to grant me the grace of faith, love, and hope. Help me to attain eternal happiness. Mother of Mercy, intercede for me with Thy Son, that ………… (state your petition), which I humbly and with confidence ask of Jesus through Thee. Amen.
Prayers…
Eighth Day (November 15th)
Holy Mary, Mother of Mercy, Comforter of the Afflicted, I kneel before Thy holy Icon with a heart filled with sorrow. To whom should I turn in my grief, if not to Thee, Merciful Mother? I trust in the unspeakable goodness of Thy Heart. Most Holy Virgin, pray to God to grant me the grace of Christian patience, so that, humbly surrendering to the will of God, I may bear all pains and disappointments and accept them as atonement for my sins, paving my way to eternity. Mother of Mercy, intercede for me with Thy Son, that ………… (state your petition), which I humbly and with confidence ask of Jesus through Thee. Amen.
Prayers…
Ninth Day (November 16th)
Most Glorious Mother of our Savior! Immaculate Virgin of the Gate of Dawn, full of wondrous tenderness! I fall upon my knees before Thy holy Icon and cry out for Thy mercy. I trust in Thy goodness and grace; I fly to Thy patronage, in which the weak find power and strength.
Mary of the Gate of Dawn, do not turn Thy gaze from me, from this moment until the hour of my death; look upon me from Heaven with all the goodness of Thy Heart. Visit me at the hour of my death together with my Guardian Angel, my Patron Saint, and Thy Noble Spouse, St. Joseph, so that Thy Son, whom I so often offend with my sins, may grant me forgiveness. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Prayers…
Chaplet of the Mother of Mercy
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary!
(On the large beads) Mary, Mother of Mercy and Grace, save us from all dangers and intercede for us at the hour of our death!
(On the small beads) Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray to Thy Son to be merciful unto us!
Concluding Prayer
O Mary, Mother of Mercy, Thou constantly protectest us and extendest Thy hands full of grace. Thy maternal Heart longs to grant us all that we need. Trusting in Thy goodness, we pray Thee to obtain for us the graces we require. By Thy powerful intercession, help us to maintain purity, to love Thee faithfully with a child’s love, and to keep the image of Thy Son’s Heart within our own. May His Most Sacred Heart guide us and lead us into Eternal Light. Amen.
Prayer for Priests by St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus
O Jesus, Eternal High Priest, keep and protect all Thy priests within Thy Sacred Heart. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, purpled with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood. Let Thy holy love surround them and shield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.