Almighty God and Father, we come before You, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name; and we pray that You will bestow upon our family Your gifts, in keeping with the riches of Your glory.

 

May You strengthen us inwardly through the help of Your Holy Spirit. May Christ Jesus Your Son, dwell in our hearts through faith, and may love be the root and foundation of our lives. And finally, may You give us the grace to be able to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love.

 

Amen (Eph.3:13-18)

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From First Vespers of Christmas until the Presentation

V. After childbirth, O Virgin, thou didst remain inviolate.

R. Intercede for us, O Mother of God.

 

Let us pray.

 

O God, Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast given to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession for us, through whom we deserved to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son.

 

R. Amen.