GodFamilyCrafts

Opening Song: Immaculate Mary (sing together)

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God’s glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

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 Litany of Loretto In Honor of Mary (Complete)

Part of Litany of Loretto  (below) (this is shortened somewhat for younger groups)

Respond “Pray for Us” after each invocation. Groups of invocations could be shared among participants.

Litany of Loreto

V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ have mercy.
V. Lord have mercy. Christ hear us.
R. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of Virgins, [etc.]
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Vessel of honor,
Mystical rose,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of peace,

V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord is truely risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, Who by the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouchsafed to make glad the whole world, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life, through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

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At this time Crown the Statue of Mary with Flowers

Allow time for all to present their flowers.

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(LUKE 1: 46 - 55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 

His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,

according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

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Hail Mary

(If desired, a decade of the rosary may be prayed.  The Fifth Glorious Mystery, The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth, is appropriate. See introduction to this mystery below.)

Hail Mary, full of grace.
Our Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

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The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary

Leader: In this mystery we recall how Jesus honored His Mother by giving her a special place in heaven and making her Queen of all creation.  We pray that she might always be Queen of our hearts, our homes and our lives. Follow with :

• Our Father….,
• ten Hail Marys….,
• Glory be to the Father…,
• Fatima Prayer (Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, and lead all souls to heaven, expecially those most in need of your mercy)

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Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue

Lovely Lady dressed in blue —-
Teach me how to pray!
God was just your little boy,
Tell me what to say!

Did you lift Him up, sometimes,
Gently on your knee?
Did you sing to Him the way
Mother does to me?

Did you hold His hand at night? 

Did you ever try
Telling stories of the world?
O! And did He cry?

Do you really think He cares
If I tell Him things-
Little things that happen? And

Do the Angels’ wings

Make a noise? And can He hear
Me if I speak low?
Does He understand me now?
Tell me —- for you know?

Lovely Lady dressed in blue —-
Teach me how to pray!
God was just your little boy,
And you know the way.
 

Closing Hymn: Hail Holy Queen

(Or other May Hymns)

Hail holy queen enthroned above
Oh Maria
Hail mother of mercy and of love
Oh Maria
Triumph all ye cherubim
Sing with us ye seraphim
Heaven and earth resound the hymn
Salve, salve, salve, reginaHail holy queen enthroned above
Oh Maria
Hail mother of mercy and of love
Oh Maria
Triumph all ye cherubim
Sing with us ye seraphim
Heaven and earth resound the hymn
Salve, salve, salve, regina

Our life, our sweetness here below
Oh Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe
Oh, oh, oh Maria
Triumph all ye cherubim (Cherubim)
Sing with us ye seraphim (Seraphim)
Heaven and earth resound the hymn
Salve, salve, salve, regina

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Other Useful Links for Marian Information and May Crowning:

Tissue Paper Flower instructions 

Mary Resource Page

Images of Mary

Approved Apparitions of Mary

The Life of Mary: Sacred Scripture:  Old Testament Typologies

Mary’s Coronation

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To Make a Crown of Flowers for Mary: purchase a quantity of silk flowers with wire stems.  Twist them together in a circle, making it somewhat adjustable for variation in statue head size.  This can be done by not completely tightening the wire stems. Loop several lengths of ribbons down from back of crown.

When Dad is Sad…he needs his drums

On days when one parent, whose contented and even personality, is sad, the whole family feels it. In our family it is Dad, or in my usual reference to him as Most Wonderful Mate. He normally works without ceasing, is an optimist to beat all optimists, keeps the family afloat both emotionally and materially.  He give the rides, he makes meals when I fall down on the job, he shows us the “bright side” when we can only see the dark clouds.

But watch out world, when Dad is sad!  Mom can’t stand it.  He continues to work, but his heart isn’t into it, he tolerates our erratic behavior — but this time with a heavy sigh. Sometimes a trying day on the job brings it on, other times it might be teenage trouble, or older kids finances, or just one of those occasional feeling of inadequacy we all have from time to time.

But, help is on the way!  What does Dad need for a cure? His drums usually do the trick. Maybe a chance to enjoy a fine beer, and listen to some music. I suspect that rock ‘n’ roll gets the bugs out. His drumming is stimulating and relaxing. It is creative and energizing.  He enjoys it, and so do I because it brings me back to the teenage years when we were dating. Not only that, he’s good at it.

As you read this blog, listen closely, you may be able to hear the beat in the next room.