Mary, Mother of God,
I firmly believe in the doctrine of Holy Mother Church
concerning your Immaculate Conception:
namely, that you were,
in the first instant of your conception,
by the singular grace and privilege of God,
in view of the merits of Jesus Christ,
the Savior of the human race,
preserved immune from all stain of original sin.
Alone of all the children of Adam,
you were gifted with the fullness of sanctifying grace
that made you the object
of a very special love on the part of God.
How wonderful were the workings of Divine power
to make you a fitting dwelling for the Redeemer of the world!
With no tendency to evil,
but with a deep yearning for the highest virtue,
you glorified God more than all His other creatures.
At the very instant of your conception
your mind was filled with the light of God,
and your will was entirely conformed to the Divine Will.
You were always intimately united with God.
I thank God with you for these wonderful blessings.
Help me to imitate your holiness to some degree.
Your holiness was not the result of the privilege
of your Immaculate Conception and sanctifying grace alone,
but followed from your gift of yourself to God
and your constant cooperation with His graces.
Help me to be generous with God
by turning to good account
the graces that He ever bestows on me,
and by rising promptly when I fall,
with renewed confidence in His mercy.
Ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy,
health of the sick, refuge of sinners,
Our Lady of Lourdes, comfort of the afflicted,
you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings.
Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes,
you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary,
from which you dispense your favors;
and already many sufferers
have obtained the cure of their infirmities,
both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence
to implore your maternal intercession.
Obtain, 0 loving Mother;
the granting of my requests.
Through gratitude for your favors,
I will endeavor to imitate your virtues
that I may one day share your glory.
Through your loving compassion
shown to thousands of pilgrims
who come to your shrine at Lourdes,
and through your special love
for your devoted client Bernadette,
I ask for this grace if it be the Will of God:
(state your specific request or intention here!)
Our Lady of Lourdes,
aid me through your prayer with your Divine Son,
to be a true child of yours,
as Bernadette was,
and to grow daily into your likeness.
Our Lady of Lourdes,
please hear my prayers with grateful thanks.