PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY O Jesus, behold ourselves prostrate before Thee; Once more do we consecrate ourselves to Thee,

Our trials and our joys, so that our family, like Thine, may ever be the shrine of purity and peace, love, labor and faith. Do Thou bless and protect all of us, O Jesus, absent and present, living and dead. O Mary, most loving of all Mothers and our Mother, pray to Jesus for our family, for all the families of the world, that He may guide and protect the cradle of the newborn, the schools of the young and their vocation. O Joseph, holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all necessities of life. Ask of Jesus that special grace which He granted to thee: to watch over our home, by the bedside of the sick and dying, so that with Mary and with thee, Heaven may find our family unbrokern in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Amen. THOUGHTS OF AN EXPECTANT MOTHER O what was your joy, Mary, when the angel announced that you were to become a Motherthe true Mother of Gods own Son! You were as happyyes far happier even that I am, and your pure heart burst forth in the song of praise; My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Did you sometimes think of the wonderful Son whom you would bear? Mary, think now of my darling and watch over it always. During those months before the first Christmas morn, how reverently you guarder that precious treasure within your holy body. Now I too carry within me a precious treasure, the body and soul of my child. Your Son was the Son of God; and my child will

soon become an adopted child of God when the waters of Baptism make its soul sinless and beautiful. Mary, thank God for me; thank Him for all His goodness to me. Teach me how to care for the child He has given me. Make me a good mother as you were. And, Mary, let me ask for one thing more: Since your Boy was the best and most lovable of children, take care of my child so that it may grow up to be as much as possible like Jesus, and like yourself, His own dear Mother. This is the grace that I desire most of all. Amen. PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DELIVERY Holy Mary, Mother of God, who parted with the blessed fruit of thy womb without the least pain, I beg of you, by that awful suffering on Calvary through which you merited to become the Mother of all the faithful, to come to my aid, I ask not a painless delivery, for I deem it worth any travail if only I can give my body to a soul which shall be stamped with the image of God, I ask rather for a successful delivery, and the grace to be a good and holy mother as long as I live. Amen O Lady of Happy Delivery, Pray for us who have recourse to Thee Thou who wast a Virgin before thy delivery, pray for us. Hail Mary. 3x MARY, HELP ME O Holy Queen, Mother of Mothers, consolation and protectress of all Christian motherhoodMother Mary, help me. In all the trials and sorrows that come into my day, dear Mary, help me.

When I am tired with the labors and despondency is upon me, dear Mary, help me. When all looks dark and I find none to speak a consoling or cheering word, dear Mary, help me. When I am wearied by the weight of countless vexing little things and mypatience is sorely tired, dear Mary, help me. In the impatience and rudeness of others, by the example of your mildness, dear Mary, help me. When others speak sharply to me and I would speak harshly in return, that I may show the gentleness of your own winning speech, dear Mary, help me. When my efforts seem to bear so little fruit and to be so little appreciated and I am discouraged, dear Mary, help me. When I have tried hard and others do not seem to understand, dear Mary, help me. When a thousand worrisome distractions and annoyances come into my day and it seems so hard to keep my peace of heart, dear Mary help me. When all others seem to fail, oh then with the sweet support of your gentle aid, dear Mary, help me. In all things, Mother, assist me! That I may, like yourself, with patience turn all my trials into spiritual treasures; that I may grow ever more like you, the cherished Queen of the most Holy Family, dear Mary, help me. Amen.