Since tomorrow is the optional memorial for the Deacon and Doctor of the Church, St. Ephrem, I found it fitting to share with you one of his Marian prayers. As an Early and Eastern Father of the Church who was a supporter of Mary’s Immaculate nature, St. Ephrem is often asked for intercessory prayers when it comes to supporting the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which was declared solemn on December 8, 1854 by Blessed Pope Pius IX.

As I often do in many of my blog posts, I have also given to links to other blog posts that will lead you to understand theological ideas in this prayer by St. Ephrem. It’s my hope that you will not only read this post, but also read the links as well in order to give yourself a better understanding of Marian theology.

Immaculate Conception – Bartolomeo Murillo

The title of this prayer is – A Prayer of Praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary:

O pure and immaculate and likewise blessed Virgin, who art the sinless Mother of thy Son, the mighty Lord of the universe, thou who art inviolate and altogether holy, the hope of the hopeless and sinful, we sing thy praises. We bless thee, as full of every grace, thou who didst bear the God-Man: we all bow low before thee; we invoke thee and implore thine aid. Rescue us, O holy and inviolate Virgin, from every necessity that presses upon us and from all the temptations of the devil. Be our intercessor and advocate at the hour of death and judgment; deliver us from the fire that is not extinguished and from the outer darkness; make us worthy of the glory of thy Son, O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother. Thou indeed art our only hope, most sure and sacred in God’s sight, to whom be honor and glory, majesty and dominion, for ever and ever, world without end. Amen.

As always feel free to share with this blog with your family and friends in the hopes that they may come to have a more complete understanding of Our Lord Jesus Christ through His Virgin Mother and our Immaculate and Holy Queen.