Prayer To Mary, Most Holy Queen

To be recited by Christian women
Composed by Pope Pius XII

"Hail, full of grace, blessed art thou among women" [Luke1: 28, 42]. We implore thee, O Mary, to extend to us thy daughters, the hand of thy maternal protection. We who draw near to thy Queenly throne as thy handmaidens are ready to do thy bidding and are resolved, with thy help, to realize in ourselves and in our sisters the ideals of truth and Christian perfection.

As we gaze upon thee, O spotless maiden and favorite of the Heavenly Father, our minds are lost in admiration! O Virgin, Spouse of the Holy Spirit! O tender Mother of Jesus! Obtain for us from thy Divine Son the graces to imitate thy noble virtues that they may be reflected in every age and circumstance of our life.

May we be pure and upright in our thought and conduct; pleasant, lovingand understanding companions to our husbands; careful, watchful and prudent mothers to our children; wise administrators of household affairs; exemplary citizens of our beloved country; faithful children of the Church, everdocile to her guidance in our thoughts and actions.

Help us, O dearly beloved Mother, to have a sincere regard for the duties of our state in life that our homes may become centers of spiritual life and active charity, schools in which consciences are rightly formed, and gardens wherein virtues may thrive. Come to our aid in our social and public life, also, that we may be examples of profound faith and ever-edifying Christian conduct, of incorrupt integrity and sound equilibrium based on the most solid religious principles.