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Pope encourages faithful to pray at home from the Letter of His Holiness Francis to the Faithful for the Month of May 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.

I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you. I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.

Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

Rome, John Lateran, 25 April 2020 Feast of Saint

FIRST PRAYER O Mary, You shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with ’ suffering, and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”, you know our needs, and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father

and to do what Jesus tells us. For he took upon himself our suffering, and burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the 2

Resurrection. Amen. Page

SECOND PRAYER

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”. In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection. Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment. Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust. Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health. Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone. Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus. Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity. Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer. Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust

ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen. 3

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As the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary has a unique position among the , indeed, among all creatures. She is exalted, yet still one of us.

Redeemed by reason of the merits of her Son and united to Him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of being the Mother of the Son of God, by which account she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because of this gift of sublime grace, she far surpasses all creatures, both in heaven and on earth. At the same time, however, because she belongs to the offspring of , she is one with all those who are to be saved.

Mary embraces God's will and freely chooses to cooperate with God's grace, thereby fulfilling a crucial role in God's plan of salvation. Throughout the centuries, the Church has turned to the Blessed Virgin in order to come closer to Christ. Many forms of piety toward the Mother of God developed that help bring us closer to her Son. In these devotions to Mary, "while the Mother is honored, the Son, through whom all things have their being and in whom it has pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell, is rightly known, loved and glorified and . . . all His commands are observed." The Church honors her as the Mother of God, looks to her as a model of perfect discipleship, and asks for her prayers to God on our behalf.

The honor we give to God alone is properly called adoration, the highest honor we can give. The honor we give to Mary and the saints is called . Proper veneration of the saints does not interfere with the worship due to God, but rather fosters it. "Our communion with those in heaven, provided that it is understood in the fuller light of faith according to its genuine nature, in no way weakens, but conversely, more thoroughly enriches the supreme worship we give to God the Father, through Christ, in the Spirit." With this understanding, we see that proper veneration of Mary does not detract from worship of God. Even as the Mother of the Savior, Mary has a place that is in every way subordinate to and dependent upon that of her Son, who is the one mediator between God and humanity. The maternal role that Mary fulfills toward us as "in no wise obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows His power."

The Second Vatican Council explained very clearly that Mary can be said to fulfill a mediating role only in a secondary and derivative manner:

For no creature could ever be counted as equal with Jesus, the Incarnate Word and Redeemer. The priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways both by the ministers and by the faithful. The one goodness of God is really communicated in different ways to His people (word, liturgy, reflection…).

What Mary does for the salvation of the human family does not come from her own power, but from a gift of that is bestowed on her through her Son. The saving influence Mary bestows on us is "not from some inner necessity, but from the divine pleasure of God alone. It 4

comes from the superabundance of God’s love for each of us, recognizes His role in our Page

salvation through first His Incarnation and then His Passion, death and resurrection. Mary in no way replaces Christ. Rather, her role is to bring us to Christ, and is illustrated in Mary's saying to the head waiter at the wedding feast of Cana, "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2:5).

Catechism of the

508 From among the descendants of Eve, God chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of his Son. "Full of grace", Mary is "the most excellent fruit of redemption" (SC 103): from the first instant of her conception, she was totally preserved from the stain of original sin and she remained pure from all personal sin throughout her life.

509 Mary is truly "Mother of God" since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself.

510 Mary "remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin" (St. Augustine, Serm. 186, 1: PL 38, 999): with her whole being she is "the handmaid of the Lord" (⇒ Lk 1:38).

511 The Virgin Mary "co-operated through free faith and obedience in human salvation" (LG 56). She uttered her yes "in the name of all human nature" (St. , S Th III, 30, 1). By her obedience she became the , mother of the living. On VIDEO

Mary in 2 Minutes (Busted Halo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7AQGyqtoK0 Why Catholics call Mary Mother (Ascension Press - Fr. Mike Schmitz): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRGv9_60iI Mary & the Saints: Our Spiritual Mother & the Communion of Saints on FORMED – “Symbolon, The Catholic Faith Explained” https://watch.formed.org/videos/mary-the-saints- our-spiritual-mother-the-communion-of-saints-1

You can also searched on FORMED for videos and books about the Virgin Mary

Four Marian (or graces or gifts given by God to Mary)

1) Mary is the Mother of God (Jesus is her son, Jesus is God, Mary is Jesus’ mother) 2) (Mary was conceived without original sin) 3) Perpetual Virginity (prior to and after Christ’s birth)

4) The (body and soul) into to Heaven

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Marian Glossary from the USCCB (The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/mary/marian- glossary.cfm

Marian apparitions: Depending on who you ask there have been hundreds or thousands of times when the Virgin Mary has appeared to people. Some have been “deemed worthy of belief” by the Church, others have been discredited as hoaxes. Here are a couple of websites you can check out:

https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/world-map-marian-apparitions

https://www.catholic.org/mary/appear.php

https://www.coraevans.com/blog/article/this-is-the-most-complete-list-of-marian-apparitions

The Litany of Loreto

The Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Litany of Loreto, is a popular prayer of supplication, once prayed in processions to atone for sins and to prevent calamities.

Pilgrims at the famous Marian Shrine in Loreto, Italy used it in the 16th century, and it was approved in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V. Although it is often prayed privately, especially after the rosary, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary has the distinction of being one of only six litanies approved for public recitation by the (the office of the Pope).

Its invocations to our Blessed Mother include titles given to her by the early in the first few centuries of Christianity. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary has also been set to music (as the Litany of Loreto) by such celebrated composers as Palestrina, Charpentier, and Mozart. The congregation’s responses to a leader in public recitations appear in italics below.

The Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Litany of Loreto, is a popular prayer of supplication, once prayed in processions to atone for sins and to prevent calamities.

Pilgrims at the famous Marian Shrine in Loreto, Italy used it in the 16th century, and it was approved in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V. Although it is often prayed privately, especially after the rosary, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary has the distinction of being one of only six litanies approved for public recitation by the Holy See.

Its invocations to our Blessed Mother include titles given to her by the early Church Fathers in

the first few centuries of Christianity. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary has also been set to music (as the Litany of Loreto) by such celebrated composers as Palestrina, Charpentier, and 6

Mozart. The congregation’s responses to a leader in public recitations appear in italics below. Page

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world: Have mercy on us. God, the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy , One God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. (repeat at end of each phrase.) Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Savior, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, , Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honor, Singular vessel of devotion,

Mystical rose,

Tower of , 7 Page

Tower of ivory, House of gold, , Gate of Heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of angels, Queen of , Queen of prophets, Queen of apostles, Queen of martyrs, Queen of confessors, Queen of virgins, Queen of all saints, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen assumed into heaven, Queen of the most holy Rosary, Queen of peace. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Grant, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, that we Thy servants may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be freed from present sorrow, and enjoy eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

It is good, and comforting to remember when praying the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary, that, as St. Bernard once put it “Mary has made herself all to all, and opens her merciful heart to all, that all may receive of her fullness: the sick, health; those in affliction, comfort; the sinner,

pardon, and God, glory.”

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“Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world.” – Blessed Pope Pius IX

There are twenty names of Mary which are called in the Litany, some of which are well known, and others that are not but just as powerful. The last six are additional names and devotions to our holy Mother. Perhaps you can select one of the names or for a daily prayer meditation alone or with your family.

1. Mary, Holy Mother of God

Genetically, Mary contributed half of Jesus’ genetic matter by participating in His human creation and carrying His human body. She is not divine, but her Son is. Therefore, she is , literally meaning “God- bearer”. We celebrate her feast day on January 1. http://saintsresource.com/mary- mother-of-god

2. Holy Virgin of Virgins

In order to carry the Son of God, Mary needed to be a virgin for many reasons, which are listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Jesus needed to never be estranged from the Father, so there would be no doubt that He came from the Father and not another human man (CCC 503). This keeps his divinity. Mary’s virginity is also a sign of her faith and undivided gift of herself to God’s will (CCC 506). And Mary is the symbol and perfect realization of the Church, “who keeps in its entirety and purity the faith she pledged to her spouse” (CCC 507). https://www.english.op.org/godzdogz/litany-of-loreto-holy-virgin-of-virgins 9

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3. Mother of the Church

When Mary was called during the , she gave her consent to the coming messianic kingdom, which would ultimately be the formation of the Church. She was also present with the apostles praying in the upper room when the Holy Spirit descended on them, giving birth to the new Church here on Earth. Each member of the of the Body of Christ is a part of her Son, and she wraps us in her mantle and protects us from evil. http://www.catholicdigest.com/faith/spirituality/mother-of-the-church/

4. Mother of Divine Grace

Mary received distinctive blessings so that she could be the most fitted mother for Christ, this includes her Immaculate Conception, her spiritual motherhood of all Christians, and Assumption into heaven. She is Full of Grace because she was saved before birth, whereas we are saved after we are baptized with the Holy Spirit.

http://floscarmelivitisflorigera.blogspot.com/2008/05/mother-of-divine-grace-pray-for-

us.html

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5. Mother of Good Counsel

Mary was given this name after this painting was said to be miraculous. According to tradition, the townsfolk heard suddenly “exquisite music” and a mysterious cloud descended and obliterated an unfinished wall of the parish. The cloud dissipated and revealed the beautiful fresco of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child. http://www.catholictradition.org/Mary/olgc.htm

“THE ROSARY IS A MAGNIFICENT AND UNIVERSAL PRAYER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE CHURCH, THE NATIONS AND THE ENTIRE WORLD.” – POPE JOHN XXIII

6. Virgin Most Merciful

Mary is full of grace, mercy and compassion, she is not only able, but willing to supply mercy to all who invoke her sweet name. Mercy is “a heart for the miserable” and Mary has a particular sympathy and compassion for those suffering souls in Purgatory. She presents our prayers, along with hers, to her Son to release the souls

from Purgatory. https://www.salvemariaregina.info/SalveMariaReg

ina/SMR-155/Virgin%20Most%20Merciful.htm 11 Page

7. Mirror of Justice Just as a mirror reflects your image, Mary was the reflection of Jesus, the one who came to justify us all. Justice is the perfect state of the soul, completion of all virtues. And just as a clean, flawless mirror reflects a perfect image, she reflected the virtues of Jesus perfectly. https://www.salvemariaregina.info/SalveMariaReg ina/SMR-157/Mirror%20of%20Justice.htm

8. Seat of Wisdom

Mary is the Seat of Wisdom because wisdom became incarnate in her son Jesus whom she carried. She also possessed and practiced true wisdom, not the wisdom of this world. https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/s/seat-of-wisdom- meaning-of.php

9. Mystical Rose

Mary has shown us that the rose is her favorite flower, through the mysterious roses that Juan Diego picked before giving him her image on his tilma, to the garland of roses she wore during her apparitions at La Sallette, to the beautiful roses she brought at Lourdes, Pontmain, Pellevoisin, Beauaing and

Banneaux. It is said, for every we say, is like placing a rose at her feet.

https://www.cardinaljohnhenrynewman.com/mary-mystical-rose-cardinal-newman/ 12 Page

10. Tower of David

The Tower of David was one of great strength and beauty and used for the defense of the city of Jerusalem during King David’s reign. Mary is a symbol of the tower because of the virtues which she presented in beauty and strength. She also defended and protected her Son, and continues to defend and protect us, His brothers and sisters. https://www.maryqueenofallsaints.com/MarysTitles/29TowerOfDavid/29TowerOfDavidText.htm

11. Tower of Ivory

Ivory has long been a symbol of peace, wealth and joyous feasting. It is through the wealth of grace that we are brought into union of God through Mary. https://www.salvemariaregina.info/SalveMariaRegina/SMR- 165/Tower%20of%20Ivory.html

12. Ark of the Covenant

She was the precious vessel that carried the promise or covenant of God to . Just as God dwelt inside the Ark of the Covenant that was carried by the Levites, just as Jesus was carried by the new Ark, the womb of

Mary.

https://www.salvemariaregina.info/SalveMariaRegina/SMR-

167/Ark.htm 13 Page

“THE HOLY ROSARY IS A POWERFUL WEAPON. USE IT WITH CONFIDENCE AND YOU’LL BE AMAZED AT THE RESULTS.” – SAINT JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA

13. Gate of Heaven

Jesus told us that we can only get to the Father through the Son, but Jesus had to get to us through his Mother, Mary. Therefore, she is called the “Gate of Heaven” because she delivered Jesus to us.

14. Morning Star

As the “morning star” shines brightly before the sun rises, so Mary as Mother of Jesus, who is the Light of the World (the Sun) preceded his coming.

http://thecatholictalks.com/articles_post.asp?id=38

15. Conceived Without Original Sin Mary is referred to as the Immaculate Conception because when she was conceived by her parents, she was given the grace of being saved by Christ before she was born. She was redeemed and remained sinless from the moment of her conception throughout her life.

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/hail-mary-

conceived-without-sin

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16. Comforter of the Afflicted During our time of sorrows and pain, we need to ask Mary to wrap us in her mantle just as she did to protect Jesus when she and fled to Egypt. She, in watching her Son be sacrificed before her on the Cross, knows what true sorrow, heartbreak and sadness. She understands our pain and can comfort us in our sorrow and trials. https://www.salvemariaregina.info/SalveMariaRegin a/SMR-172/Comforter.htm

“There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.” – Sister Lucia dos Santos of Fatima

17. Queen of Angels

When the mother of God is seated on her throne beside her Divine Son, it is the angels who are often envisioned as placing her crown upon her head. The name is also tied to the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, and described in Revelation as “a woman clothed with the sun, the head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev. 12:1) https://www.salvemariaregina.info/SalveMariaRegina/SMR-174/QueenAngels.htm

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18. Queen of all Saints

None of the saints became saints without a devotion to the one whom Jesus came to us through. She was the one who carried and cared for our Lord throughout His life, and was a perfect example of a saintly life, here on earth and in Heaven. https://www.catholic.org/mary/marys.php

19. Queen Assumed into Heaven

The kings of Judah could have multiple wives, but they only had one mother – the queen mother. She was the most important and influential women in the royal court. A king would always listen to his mother! Jesus’ bride is the Universal Church. He is the King of kings, which would make Mary, the . https://www.salvemariaregina.info/SalveMariaRegin a/SMR-185/QueenAssumed.htm

“LOVE THE AND PRAY THE ROSARY, FOR HER ROSARY IS THE 16

WEAPON AGAINST THE EVILS OF THE WORLD TODAY. ALL GRACES GIVEN BY Page GOD PASS THROUGH THE BLESSED MOTHER.” – SAINT PADRE PIO

20. Queen of the Holy Rosary The use of “prayer beads” and repeated prayers has been a long-time practice from the earliest of days from the Church. The Rosary as we know it is credited to a vision given to St. Dominic. In 1571, asked the faithful to pray the rosary in preparation for battle and ask the Lord for victory to the Christians against the Moslem. Although outnumbered, the Christians won and thanks were given to the Lord and the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother. https://www.rosarycenter.org/homepage-2/rosary/the-rosary-st-dominic/

21. Undoer of Knots

Eve, by her disobedience tied the human race into the knots of sin, conversely, Mary, through her obedience to the will of the Father unties these knots. https://www.maryundoerofknots.com/history.htm

“The fathers and mothers of families particularly must

give an example to their children, especially when, at

sunset, they gather after the day’s work, within the 17 domestic walls, and recite the Holy Rosary on bended knees before the image of the Virgin.” – Pope Pius XI Page

22. Star of the Sea

The title of Mary as Star of the Sea can be traced back to St. who referred to Mary as Stella maris. Referring to Mary as Star of the Sea shows how she is both a guiding star and a beacon of hope for Christians. Our Lady Star of the Sea is the patroness of seafarers. https://catholicexchange.com/the-promise-of- mary-star-of-the-sea

23. Mother Most Sorrowful

The title of Mother Most Sorrowful comes from the ancient devotion to Our Lady’s seven sorrows. Mary Most Sorrowful is traditionally depicted with seven swords in her heart or the image of the pieta as is seen above.

https://www.marian.org/news/Part-17-Mary-Most-

Sorrowful-7145

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24. Mother Thrice Admirable Perhaps the most popular Marian devotion in Germany, Mary as Mother Thrice Admirable is the patroness of the Schonstatt community. According to Fr. Kenntenich, founder of Schonstattt, Mary is thrice admirable because she is Mother of God, the Mother of Christ, and the Mother of all human beings.

https://saltandlighttv.org/blogfeed/getpost.php?id=47814

25. Mother of Perpetual Help

This title for Mary takes its name from the icon pictured above, purportedly painted by St. Luke whilst Mary was still living on Earth. According to tradition, Mary is said to have stated that her grace will always accompany this icon. https://redemptorists.net/redemptorists/d

evotion-to-omph/

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"The Rosary is a prayer that always accompanies me; it is also the prayer of the ordinary people and the saints... it is a prayer from my heart." -

26. Refuge of Sinners Just as Mary sheltered the Christ Child within her womb, so do does she offer a safe haven for all of us sinners who seek her intercession. Although Jesus Christ remains our only mediator and advocate with the Father, Mary is the intermediary between a sinful world and her most beloved Son. https://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/Refuge%20of%20Sinners.html

If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if– and mark well what I say– if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins. -- St. Louis de Montfort

PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING COLORING PAGES TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN BETTER UNDERSTAND MARY

OUR MOTHER AND MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

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OUR LADY OF THE 21 Page

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL 22 Page

OUR LADY OF GRACE

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OUR LADY OF LOURDES 24 Page

OUR LADY OF FATIMA 25 Page

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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 27 Page

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Mother and Child 29 Page

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