Prayers for Mothers.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of Thy Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him. He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy — as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. Amen.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here: ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of God and my Mother: I give you my children — each one, by name — as your own. Keep what I cannot keep; watch where I cannot watch; go where they will not take me. Guard their baptism like a lit candle in wind. If they wander, walk with them; if they fall, lift them; if they forget your Son, remember them to Him without ceasing. Obtain for them the grace of final perseverance, and for me a mother's heart formed on yours — trusting, pondering, and pierced without despair. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, I bring You my husband. Bless the work of his hands and the weight he carries that I do not see. Guard him from the enemy's particular snares for men — discouragement, isolation, and the counterfeit comforts. Make him holy: a man of prayer, of courage, of tenderness without weakness. Heal what is strained between us, soften what has hardened in me toward him, and let our marriage preach You to our children without a word. St. Joseph, guardian of the holy household, stand beside him. Amen.

Father of all life, You knit this child in secret and know the name we do not yet know (Psalm 139). Guard this little one's growing, steady my body and my heart through every appointment and every waiting room, and bring us both safely to the day of birth — and to the greater day of Baptism. St. Gerard Majella, friend of mothers, pray for us. Amen.

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.