Imitating Mary, Following Christ
November 19 - November 27, 2025
A Novena To Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
" I would like these reflections to be crowned by Mary, because she lived the Beatitudes of Jesus as none other. She is that woman who rejoiced in the presence of God, who treasured everything in her heart, and who let herself be pierced by the sword. Mary is the saint among the saints, blessed above all others. She teaches us the way of holiness and she walks ever at our side. She does not let us remain fallen and at times she takes us into her arms without judging us. Our converse with her consoles, frees and sanctifies us. Mary our Mother does not need a flood of words. She does not need us to tell her what is happening in our lives. All we need do is whisper, time and time again: “Hail Mary…””
POPE FRANCIS, GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE (2018), §10 & §176
Introduction
The Christian life is a call to follow Jesus Christ. He is our one Master and the goal of our faith. Yet, to walk authentically in His footsteps requires a strength beyond our own; it is a path made possible only by the gift of God's grace.
In His generous love, God does not leave us without a practical model for this journey. He has given us His Mother, Mary. She is, in herself, our reference for holiness—the first and perfect disciple. As Pope Francis reminds us, she is “the true ‘icon’ of holiness” and “the supreme model for all disciples” who demonstrates what it means to completely receive and respond to divine grace. Her "Yes" is the living pattern of surrender we are all called to imitate.
The Miraculous Medal, a gift from Our Lady, serves as a tangible reminder of this pattern. It is a visual summary of the spiritual journey, where her example is the lesson and our imitation is the task. The symbols on the Medal—the rays of grace, the posture of her hands, the hearts of Jesus and Mary—are not merely devotional images. They are a concentrated language of faith, reminding us of the graces available to us as we seek to conform our lives to Christ.
To wear the Medal, then, is to accept a commitment to this path of discipleship. It is a pledge to learn from Mary, who “teaches us the way of holiness and… walks ever at our side,” asking for her prayers that we might be filled with the same grace that formed her. We look to her so that she might lead us more deeply to her Son.
This novena is a dedicated time to live out this commitment. Over nine days, we will prayerfully seek to grow in specific virtues of her faithfulness. Through this focused prayer, we trust that God, who fashioned Mary into a masterpiece of grace, will by that same grace gently mould us into more faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
HOW TO PRAY THIS NOVENA
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Recite the Daily Opening Prayer.
- Read the Scripture and Meditation.
- Pray the D Prayer of the Day and Novena Prayer.
- Recite the Daily Closing Prayer.
Nine Days of Prayer
The Desire to Imitate Mary
"Then he said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.'" (LUKE 9:...
November 19
Humility
"For he has looked with favor on the humility of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed." (LUKE 1:48)
November 20
Obedience to God's Will
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (LUKE 1:38)
November 21
Profound Faith
"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" (LUKE 1:45)
November 22
Radiant Charity
"When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.'... His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'" (JOHN 2...
November 23
Purity of Heart
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (MATTHEW 5:8)
November 24
Patient Endurance
"And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (LUKE 2:35)
November 25
Unshakable Hope & Courage
"Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother..." (JOHN 19:25)
November 26
Passionate Witness
"And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior... His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear h...
November 27
The Desire to Imitate Mary
"Then he said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.'" (LUKE 9:23)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
Today, we plant the seed of our intention. Wearing the medal is not a passive act; it is an active choice to begin the journey of discipleship. We look to Mary, the first disciple, and ask for the initial grace of a willing heart, ready to learn from her and follow her Son.
Prayer of the Day
O Mary, Conceived without Sin,
As I put on this Miraculous Medal,
I place myself under your protection.
May it be a constant reminder
of my desire to imitate your life,
and to open myself to the grace that transforms.
Shape my will to reflect your own,
and help me to echo your faithful "yes,"
so I may follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
Humility
"For he has looked with favor on the humility of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed." (LUKE 1:48)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
Humility is the foundation of all virtue. Mary’s humility was not self-degradation but a joyful recognition that all she was came from God. To imitate her humility is to make room for God to work, freeing us from the tyranny of pride and allowing us to follow Christ, who was "gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29).
Prayer of the Day
O Humble Handmaid,
teach me to embrace my true place before God.
When pride stirs in my heart,
let the touch of this medal remind me of your humble fiat.
May I seek to decrease,
so that Christ may increase in me.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
Obedience to God's Will
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (LUKE 1:38)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
Mary’s obedience was prompt, trusting, and complete. It reversed the disobedience of Eve. To imitate her obedience is to align our will with the Father's, even when the path is unclear. This is the essence of following Christ, who said, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).
Prayer of the Day
O Mother of the Word, your "yes" changed history.
When I am fearful or rebellious,
let this medal be a seal
of my own desire to say "yes" to God.
Grant me a trusting heart that obeys
not out of fear,
but out of love, always seeking the Father's will.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
Profound Faith
"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" (LUKE 1:45)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
Mary’s faith did not waver in darkness or sorrow. It was a faith sustained by a life of deep prayer, pondering God's mysteries in her heart. To imitate her is to cultivate a faith that trusts in God's promises and a prayerfulness that constantly turns our heart to Him, the source of our strength as we follow Christ.
Prayer of the Day
O Woman of Faith and Prayer,
you believed the impossible
and treasured God's word.
When my faith is weak and my prayer dry,
let this medal draw my heart into communion with yours.
Teach me to believe, to ponder, and to pray,
that I may abide in your Son.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
Radiant Charity
"When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.'... His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'" (JOHN 2:3, 5)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
At Cana, Mary’s compassion was attentive and proactive. She noticed a simple, human need and brought it to Jesus with confident trust. Her charity moved her to intercede, initiating the first miracle. To imitate her is to cultivate a heart that sees the needs of others and responds with compassionate action, leading them to Christ.
Prayer of the Day
O Compassionate Mother,
you see our needs before we speak them.
Let this medal remind me
to look with your eyes of mercy.
Make my heart attentive
to the struggles of others,
and give me the charity
to serve and the faith to lead them to your Son,
trusting that He will provide.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
Purity of Heart
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (MATTHEW 5:8)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
Mary’s purity was her total orientation towards God—a heart undivided by selfishness. This purity allowed her to "see God" in the face of her Son. To imitate her purity is to desire a heart set solely on God, clearing away the clutter of sin and distraction that keeps us from following Christ single-heartedly.
Prayer of the Day
O Immaculate Virgin,
your heart was a spotless sanctuary
for the Holy Spirit.
In a world that tarnishes the soul,
let your medal be my shield.
Purify my intentions, my thoughts, and my desires,
that I may see God
and love Him above all things.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
Patient Endurance
"And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (LUKE 2:35)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
Mary’s life was a pilgrimage of patient endurance, from the stable to the Cross. Her patience was not passive resignation but active, hope-filled trust in the midst of suffering. To imitate her patience is to find the strength to carry our own crosses with grace, faithfully following Christ on the road to Calvary and beyond.
Prayer of the Day
O Sorrowful Mother,
you endured all things with serene strength.
When I grow impatient in suffering,
let the weight of this medal
remind me of your patient endurance.
Grant me the grace
to bear my trials with peace,
united to the Cross of your Son.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
Unshakable Hope & Courage
"Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother..." (JOHN 19:25)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
At the foot of the Cross, Mary’s hope seemed humanly impossible, yet she stood firm. Her hope gave birth to courage. To imitate her is to possess a hope that is anchored in Heaven, not in earthly outcomes, and a courage that enables us to stand for Christ, even when it costs us everything.
Prayer of the Day
O Queen of Martyrs,
your hope did not die on Calvary,
and your courage did not fail.
When I face death—
my own or that of those close to me—
let your medal be a reminder
of your comforting presence.
Fill me with a hope that cannot be shaken
and a courage that bears witness to your Son.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
Passionate Witness
"And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior... His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him.'" (LUKE 1:46-47, 50)
Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Opening Prayer
O Mary,
Conceived without Sin,
I come to you today,
wearing your Miraculous Medal.
Grant me the grace to walk with you,
and to imitate the love and faith
that guided your every step.
With you at my side
may I learn to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ,
ever more perfectly.
Amen.
Mediation
The Magnificat is Mary’s powerful, Spirit filled and prophetic proclamation. She does not keep her joy quiet; she proclaims God's greatness, His justice, and His mercy to the world. To imitate her is to become a passionate witness, who cannot help but proclaim the great things God has done, sharing the joy of the Gospel with a world in need.
Daily Prayer
O Mother of the Word,
your soul magnified the Lord.
As I wear your medal,
may I be filled with the same Spirit
that so empowered you.
Make me a passionate witness,
that my life, my words, and my actions
might proclaim the greatness of your Son,
Jesus Christ, to all I meet.
Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and my Mother,
I thank you for the gift of your Miraculous Medal.
I wear it as a sign of my trust in you
and my desire to imitate your virtues.
You are the perfect model of the Christian life.
By reflecting on your humility, obedience, faith,
charity, purity, patience, hope, and zeal,
teach me to follow your Son.
Gently mould my heart to be like yours.
May this medal be a constant reminder of my commitment,
a shield against evil,
and a sign of your loving protection.
Present me to Jesus,
and obtain for me the grace
to live as his faithful disciple,
now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(Recite three times)
Final Sign of the Cross.
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