MARIAN PRAYER OF SAINT PETER DAMIAN (A.D. 1007-1072)

O holy Virgin,

Mother of God,

help those who implore your assistance.

Turn toward us.

Have you perhaps forgotten us

because you have been elevated

to a position close to God?

No, certainly not.

You know well in what danger you left us.

You know the miserable condition of your servants.

No, it would not benefit such great mercy

as yours to forget such great misery as ours.

Turn toward us, then,

with your power,

for He who is powerful

has made you omnipotent in heaven and on earth.

For you, nothing is impossible.

You can raise even those who are in despair

to a hope of salvation.

There more powerful you are,

the greater should be your mercy.

Turn also to us in your love.

I know.

O Mary, that you are all kindness

and that you love us with a love

that no other love can surpass.

How often you appease the wrath of our Divine Judge,

when He is on the point of punishing us!

All the treasures of the mercy of God

are in your hands.

You will never cease to benefit us, I know,

for you are only seeking an opportunity

to save all sinners

and to shower your mercies upon them.

Your glory is increased when,

through you,

penitents are forgiven and reach heaven.

Turn , then, toward us,

so that we may also be able to go

and see you in heaven.

For the greatest glory that we can have,

after seeing God,

will be to see you,

to love you,

and to be under your protection.

So be pleased to grant our prayer;

for your beloved Son wishes to honour you

by refusing nothing that you ask.