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PRAISE THE HOLY LADY

MARY’S MONTH
PRAYING WITH SAINT FRANCIS

By Brother Patrick

Peace be with you! In the classic biography, The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274) writes: “He embraced the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ with an indescribable love, because she made the Lord of Majesty our brother and she obtained mercy for us. After Christ, it was Mary to whom he placed his trust and whom he chose as advocate both for himself and for his brothers.”

Indeed, it is impossible to separate the Virgin Mary from the prayer and spiritual life of the Poor Man of Assisi. Saint Francis (1181-1226) believed that Mary was chosen by God for a singular role in the long drama of salvation history. He was drawn to Mary’s faith, her humility, her poverty, and her devotion to prayer and contemplation. He urged his followers to love, praise, and exalt the Blessed Mother in their daily prayers. And he made the Portiuncola Chapel, which is dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels, the home church of the worldwide Franciscan community.

In this spirit, we begin the Month of May, often called Mary’s Month, by praying with the Praises to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was written sometime between 1210 and 1220. This short litany was original composed by Saint Francis as a hymn of praise. It was sung often by Francis and his brothers, most especially on feast days devoted to the Mother of God.

Praises to the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Saint Francis of Assisi

Praise the Holy Lady, Most Holy Queen,
Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin.
You were chosen by the Most High Father in heaven,
consecrated by God, with the Most Holy Beloved Son,
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
On you descended and still rest
all the fullness of grace and every goodness.
Praise, God’s Palace!
Praise, God’s Tabernacle!
Praise, God’s Robe!
Praise, God’s Servant!
Praise, God’s Mother!
Praise all the Holy Virtues,
which by the grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit
are poured into the hearts of the faithful,
so that from their faithless state,
all people may become faithful servants
of God through you!

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!

Art Credit: RebelArtCreator – 4051738125 – Etsy

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THE ASSISI PROJECT
A FELLOWSHIP OF FRANCISCANS IN SPIRIT
INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY

Members of the Assisi Project, ranging in age from 15 to 99, pray each and every day for all who ask for our prayers. If you would like our fellowship to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. In communion with Pope Leo XIV and in solidarity with people of faith and goodwill everywhere, we also pray for peace, truth, and justice. In addition, we pray for all migrants and refugees; for the courage to speak truth to power; and for the poor, the persecuted, and the unjustly imprisoned. Please join us in prayer by clicking the link below! Thank you for your prayers! May God bless you! May the Risen Lord give you peace!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our sick and suffering world.

The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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In Memory of Archbishop Francisco Viti