# Prayer #3 – O Mary, Stay With Us Your Children
*2015-08-22*

> Bill and John reflect on the feast of the Queenship of Mary and pray the third prayer in their Marian marathon, written by St. Pope John Paul II.

## Feast of the Queenship of Mary

Good morning. It is Saturday, August 22, the feast of the Queenship of Mary. We are continuing our marathon of Marian prayers, and this is the third one, titled “O Mary, stay with us, your children,” composed by St. Pope John Paul II.

## The Prayer to Mary

O Mary, you who crush the head of the evil one, do not allow us to give in to evil. Grant that we may defeat evil with good. God the Eternal Father bows down to you, victorious in your Immaculate Conception and by the power of God Himself, by the power of grace. The Son, who is of the same substance as the Father, and your Son, crucified and risen, bows down to you. The power of the Most High, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate of sanctity, embraces you. The inheritance of sin has fallen to you. You are full of grace. In you the Kingdom of God is established, and the new future of redeemed humanity, free from sin, is founded. May this future penetrate the darkness that covers the earth and overshadows human hearts.

## Mary’s Presence in Our Lives

Mary, you who know us, stay with us, your children. You heard the angel’s annunciation; the song of praise is on your tongue. The Child of God rests in your arms. The cross of suffering is in your heart. The light and fire of the Holy Spirit dwell in your mind, and beneath your feet the defeated evil one lies.

## Our Petition

Pray for us to the Redeemer of humanity, that He may ransom us from sin and from all that enslaves us, and may unite us with the bond of faithfulness to the Church and to the pastors who guide her. Show your motherly love to the poor, to those who suffer, and to all who seek the Kingdom of your Son.

## Closing Thanksgiving

We thank you with all our hearts for the gifts of faith, and we glorify you and the Father.

*Mary’s intercession empowers us to overcome evil and live in the light of Christ’s redemption.*