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)
Imitating Mary, Following Christ
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.