July 17, 2022, 12:00 PM
St. Ann is the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus and her feast day is July 26. We traditionally begin praying the 9-day St. Ann Novena on July 17, but we can pray it anytime. When we pray it, we ask for help from our Blessed Mother’s mother! It is a wonderful time to reflect on enhancing our prayer lives. I offer two prayers, one to the grandmother of Jesus and one to the mother of Jesus.
The prayer to St. Ann is from Day 5 of the Novena. It begins, “Great St. Ann, how far I am from resembling you. I so easily give way to impatience and discouragement; and so easily give up praying when God does not at once answer my request.” Join us for each day of the Novena.
The prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Memorare. “Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it know that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.”
In these prayers, we believe St. Ann and the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us. The Memorare is easily memorized and can be prayed daily. If that is a little too much to start building up a prayer life, try “Good Saint Ann, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.” Do what works for you because building our prayer lives is essential. Now you know!
The prayer to St. Ann is from Day 5 of the Novena. It begins, “Great St. Ann, how far I am from resembling you. I so easily give way to impatience and discouragement; and so easily give up praying when God does not at once answer my request.” Join us for each day of the Novena.
The prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Memorare. “Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it know that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.”
In these prayers, we believe St. Ann and the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us. The Memorare is easily memorized and can be prayed daily. If that is a little too much to start building up a prayer life, try “Good Saint Ann, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.” Do what works for you because building our prayer lives is essential. Now you know!
