# Praying the Chaplet of the Twelve Stars
*2015-04-25*

> Bill Young guides listeners through the Chaplet of the Twelve Stars, explaining its origin, structure, and the prayers that compose it.

## Introduction

Good morning, I’m Bill Young, and today we pray the Chaplet of the Twelve Stars. This devotion honors the crown of twelve stars described in Revelation 12, a symbol of the Virgin Mary’s queenship and virtues.

## History and Purpose

Various chaplets have been composed to recall the twelve stars surrounding Mary’s head. Tradition holds that St. Andrew recommended reciting this chaplet with devotion, noting that an angel once appeared to a reciter and offered each Hail Mary to the Virgin, who was greatly pleased. The promise attached to the chaplet is that it brings graces more readily and assists us at the moment of death.

## Structure of the Chaplet

The chaplet consists of twelve Hail Marys, each separated by a short prayer of our own choosing. The ordinary form begins with the Sign of the Cross, a brief opening prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, and then proceeds through the twelve Hail Marys with their accompanying petitions.

**Opening Prayer**
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

**Invocation**
O God, come to my aid. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

**Apostles’ Creed**
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord… (the creed is recited in its usual form).

**Our Father**
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

**The Twelve Hail Marys**
Each Hail Mary is followed by a brief petition, for example:
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
(This formula is repeated twelve times, with slight variations as the reciter wishes.)

## Final Prayer

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who turn to you. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, I adore you profoundly and thank you with all my heart for the singular privilege granted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our most pure Mother, who was preserved from original sin.

*Praying the Chaplet of the Twelve Stars draws us nearer to Mary’s intercession and prepares us for the grace of eternal life.*