Day 3: Model of Married Women and Mothers

Reflection

St. Anne’s vocation on earth was wife to Joachim and mother to the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, she is a model of virtue for married women and mothers. She is also invoked as Help of the Pregnant, Patroness of the Childless, and Protectress of Widows. She understands the married state, with its particular joys and burdens, but especially its purpose.

“She [St. Anne] obtains for women, particularly in our misguided age, the light to understand the high purpose of Matrimony… The hope of the Church is in good Christian mothers; their sons and daughters will fill the sanctuaries and convents.”

– “Good St. Anne”

Novena Prayer

Glorious St. Anne, filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.

(State your intention here)

Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day meet God face to face, and with you and Mary, and all the angels and saints, to praise Him through all eternity.

Beloved of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, mother of the Queen of Heaven, take us and all who are dear to us under your special care.

Obtain for us the virtues you instilled in the heart of her who was destined to become Mother of God, and the graces with which you were endowed.

Sublime model of Christian womanhood, pray that we may imitate your example in our homes and families, listen to our petitions, and obtain our request of… (state your intention here)

Guardian of the infancy and childhood of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, obtain the graces necessary for all who enter the marriage state, that by imitating your virtues, they may sanctify their homes and lead the souls entrusted to their care to eternal glory. Amen.

Pray for us, Saint Anne!

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.