Invocation to Our Lady of Grace
I turn to thee, O Mother dear,
in humble supplication,
asking that I follow thee.
You are my inspiration.
I ask for very simple things,
to walk in lowly ways,
but may I always walk with thee
the remainder of my days?
Give me the grace I see in Thee,
and make me [to] be forgiving,
let me ne’er abandon Him,
in prayer and thanksgiving.
I leave with thee and with thy Son
these fervent prayers of mine.
Knowing that from Him,
through you,
comes every gift divine.
Amen.
Our Lady of Grace
Our Lady of Grace is one of the most popular titles given to Mary. In the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel greets Mary by addressing her as “highly favored one.” The Greek word used in this greeting is kecharitomene which translates to “completely graced.” The Latin word used is gratia plena which translates to “full of grace.”
Mary’s role as Mother of Jesus, the Source of our Grace, gives her the privilege of being the vessel through which that same grace reaches humanity. St. Bernard says, “God could have dispensed His graces according to His good pleasure, without making use of this aqueduct (Mary), but it was His wish to provide this means whereby grace would reach you.” Pope Benedict XIV says, “Our Lady is like a celestial stream through which the flow of all graces and gifts reaches the soul of all wretched mortals.”
When Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in France in 1830, brilliant rays shown from the jeweled rings on her fingers. Our Lady said, “These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them. The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask.” She asked Catherine to have a medal struck of the vision and told her that graces would be bestowed abundantly to all who wore the medal with confidence. During other appearances of Our Lady, she promised graces for those who pray the rosary, who attend Mass, and who go frequently to confession. As our Mother, Our Lady wants us to receive all the graces that we need to obtain Heaven. She is our Mediator who passes graces through her hands. As we pray, “Hail Mary, Full of Grace,” she hears and answers our call.
Feast Day: May 31
Name Meaning: Full of Grace
Patron Saint of: Universal
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