# Devotion of the twelve stars
*2015-04-24*

> Bill Young introduces the Devotion of the Twelve Stars, focusing on the first privilege: the predestination of the Virgin Mary.

## The origin of the devotion

Today we are starting the prayers of the Devotion of the Twelve Stars. Each star represents a specific privilege of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This devotion was inspired by the Servant of God, Mary Constance Zahuli (1886–1954), the foundress of the Adoring Handmaids of the Most Holy Sacrament in Bologna, Italy. During a period of great physical and moral suffering, she was inspired to practice and spread these twelve privileges.

Writing in her diary on June 30, 1939, regarding a private revelation, she noted that the Blessed Virgin taught her this devotion and ordered her to make it known and propagate it, as it delights Mary's heart to have these privileges remembered and meditated upon.

## How to practice the devotion

To practice this devotion, one meditates mentally on each privilege, recites one Hail Mary, and concludes with the following phrase: 'Holy Trinity, be blessed, praised, and thanked for the graces granted to the Virgin Mary.'

## The first privilege: Predestination

The first privilege is the Predestination of Mary. It teaches us that even when the deep was not, the Mother of God already existed in the mind of the Creator. 

The Divine Father planned His work of creation from eternity, admiring the perfection for which He was to imbue His creatures. He delighted in His supreme masterpiece, His most precious jewel, while contemplating with admiration the mother that He was to prepare for His Son.

## Closing prayer

In our invocations, we pray: 'O most Holy Trinity, help me welcome and to fulfill the design of love which the Father has for me.' We conclude with the Hail Mary and the praise of the Holy Trinity for the graces granted to the Virgin Mary.

*The Blessed Virgin Mary was a masterpiece planned by the Father from all eternity to be the mother of His Son.*