with daily prayers drawn from the teachings of the Popes

Prayer

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, we praise and bless you as we celebrate the joyful centenary of Mary’s Legion. Under the loving rule and guidance of their Mother and Queen, and in the grace of the Holy Spirit, legionaries have come to Jesus through Mary and have led countless souls on that same shining way. Grant that in our own time, we her Legion may be renewed on this path of holiness and evangelisation, for the salvation of the world, to the praise of your glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mary Immaculate, our Queen, our Mother, intercede with your divine Son for your Legion, that it may be strong in faithfulness and abundant in fruitfulness, as we move forward in trustful hope.

• Our Father
• 3 Hail Marys
• Glory be

Then pray the special prayer for each day below followed by the Hail, Holy Queen:

Day 1

Holy Mary, Mother of God, you have given the world its true light, Jesus, your Son – the Son of God. Show us Jesus. Lead us to him. Teach us to know and love him, so that we too can become capable of true love and be fountains of living water in the midst of a thirsting world. O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

Day 2

Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus. O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

Day 3

Mary, Mother of the Church, your sons and daughters thank you for your trusting word that echoes through the ages, rising from an empty soul made full of grace, prepared by God to welcome the Word to the world that the world itself might be reborn. O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

Day 4

Mary, Virgin and Mother, standing at the foot of the cross with unyielding faith, you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection, and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit so that the evangelising Church might be born. Obtain for us now a new ardour born of the resurrection, that we may bring to all the Gospel of life which triumphs over death. O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

Day 5

Mary, Mother of the Church, help our faith! Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognise his voice and call. Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, to go forth from our own land and to receive his promise. Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith. O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

Day 6

Mary, Star of the new evangelisation, help us to bear radiant witness to communion, service, ardent and generous faith, justice and love of the poor, that the joy of the Gospel may reach to the ends of the earth, illuminating even the fringes of our world. O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

Day 7

O Star of the Sea, keep all your children safe from harm for the waves are high and we are far from home. As we set forth upon the oceans of the world, and cross the deserts of our time, show us, O Mary, the fruit of your womb, for without your Son we are lost. O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

Day 8

Mary, Mother of the Church, in you, the reign of God has dawned, a reign of grace and peace, love and justice, born from the depths of the Word made flesh. The Church throughout the world joins you in praising him whose mercy is from age to age. O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

Day 9

‘Whoever you are that perceive yourself during this mortal existence to be rather drifting in treacherous waters, at the mercy of the winds and the waves, than walking on firm ground, turn not away your eyes from the splendour of this guiding star, unless you wish to be submerged by the storm. In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. With her for guide, you shall not go astray, while invoking her, you shall never lose heart. If she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favour, you shall reach the goal.’ (St Bernard)

O Mary, Queen of the Legion, we rejoice with you on this centenary day, and as we prepare to celebrate your holy birth. You remain in our midst as the Mother of hope. Holy Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, teach us to believe, to hope, to love with you. Show us the way to his Kingdom! O Help of Christians, protect us! Our Lady of Peace, pray for us! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Photos: © Fr Lawrence Lew OP. Used with permission