A Marian Novena of Giveaways, Day 5

Today is Day 5 of our Marian Novena of Giveaways.

Be sure to enter your name in the comments for a chance to win one of today's great prizes!

Let's bring our vocations to God and ask for the intercession of the Blessed Mother as we celebrate her birth.

Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O sacred Virgin;
give me strength against thine enemies,
and against the enemy of the whole human race.
Give me strength humbly to pray to thee.
Give me strength to praise thee in prayer with all my powers,
through the merits of thy most sacred nativity,
which for the entire Christian world was
a birth of joy, the hope and solace of its life.

When thou wast born, O most holy Virgin,
then was the world made light.

Happy is thy stock, holy thy root,
and blessed thy fruit, for thou alone as a virgin,
filled with the Holy Spirit,
didst merit to conceive thy God,
as a virgin to bear Thy God,
as a virgin to bring Him forth,
and after His birth to remain a virgin.

Have mercy therefore upon me a sinner,
and give me aid, O Lady, so that just as thy nativity,
glorious from the seed of Abraham,
sprung from the tribe of Juda,
illustrious from the stock of David,
didst announce joy to the entire world,
so may it fill me with true joy and cleanse me from every sin.

(mention your intentions)

Pray for me, O Virgin most prudent, that the gladsome joys of thy most helpful nativity may put a cloak over all my sins.

O holy Mother of God, flowering as the lily,
pray to thy sweet Son for me, a wretched sinner. Amen.

This novena was written by St. Anselm and is usually prayed for the nine days before the Nativity of Mary. [Source: Fish Eaters Forum]

Our sponsors today are Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle and Jennifer Caiazzo from Lighthouse Catholic Media.

Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle is a Catholic wife and mother of five children. Host and creator of EWTN’s TV series “Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms,” she’s been a Catechist for over twenty-five years, an internationally known speaker, award-winning journalist, and best-selling author of numerous Catholic books including: Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, The Domestic Church: Room by Room, Grace Café: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship, Catholic Saints Prayer Book, The Heart of Motherhood, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers to Be, and A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers. Donna-Marie’s work can be seen in several magazines and publications, on the Web, and on her many blogs. Learn more at www.donnacooperoboyle.com.

Lighthouse Catholic Media programs became available at Jennifer Caiazzo's parish during the summer of 2008. She had just come into the Catholic faith through RCIA the prior year.  Being newly married, new to the Roman Catholic faith, and struggling with so many other challenges going on at the time, Jennifer found that these programs really helped her grow as a person and in her faith.  The messages of these programs helped her “center” herself with Christ and gave her wisdom to walk with Him daily. When she found out Lighthouse needed help distributing these programs, she felt this was an apostolate for her to help spread the word of God and bring these priceless programs to others and parishes. If you would like more information about bringing these programs to your parish, please contact her at jcaiazzo2 {at} bellsouth [dot] net.

Leave a comment today and you will be entered to win one of these great items:

Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers
From the publisher: This book was encouraged by Blessed Mother Teresa! Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta wrote more than 20 letters to author Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle. She encouraged her to write, "Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers" to share with other mothers around the world! Many of Blessed Teresa's poignant and tender quotes are included in this unique prayer book. The inspirational prayers and quotations in this delightful, compact, 4-color prayer book will encourage and strengthen all mothers in their special vocation. Containing both original and traditional prayers and inspiration for mothers of all ages, "Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers" makes a lovely and appropriate gift for a mom of any age, including expectant mothers, as well as a baby shower or baptismal gift.

A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers
With all the mixed messages that women receive from society today, it s easy to be distracted from and even unreceptive to the deep and abiding love that Christ has for them. Whether single or married, religious or consecrated, parenting children, or spiritually mentoring others, women need to know that the Lord understands the many challenges they face, their desire for inspiration, and, above all, their need to be affirmed as women.

Through this book of original and traditional prayers, inspiring writings, and uplifting words from the saints, women can be touched by God's divine love, thrive in affirmation from the Church, and understand and appreciate the true feminine genius that Christ offers.

3-Month CD-of-the-Month Subscription
Have you ever wanted to help family members, friends, or coworkers who may be struggling with the issues of life or faith, but just didn't know how to reach them? Do you want to enrich your own faith life? Now you can! For three months, you will receive an exciting talk by one of the great Catholic speakers of our time. After listening, pass them on to others.

Fatima: Living the Message, by Father Jason Brooks, L.C.
In a time of lost innocence, the faith of three children inspired thousands and made the world believe in miracles. Mary's messages at Fatima have been promoted by Popes, approved by the Church, and validated by over 70,000 witnesses. Fr. Jason Brooks brings to light why Fatima is regarded by many as the most important spiritual event of the past 100 years. BONUS: Fr. Shanon Collins, retreat master and well known speaker on EWTN, explains the intended impact and opportunity of the messages of Fatima on the spiritual lives of believers today.

Praying the Rosary Like Never Before, by Dr. Edward Sri
Dr. Edward Sri is a nationally sought Catholic speaker who appears regularly on EWTN, and is a founding leader of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students).  In this discussion of his book The New Rosary in Scripture: Biblical Insights on Praying the Twenty Mysteries (Servant Books), Dr. Sri shares John Paul II’s practical strategies for praying the Rosary better, so that you can encounter Jesus more deeply in this prayer.

Saying Yes to God: One Mother's Journey, by Mary Vogrine
Mary Vogrinc shares wisdom from her journey in faith as a wife to her husband Brian, mother of five sons, and foster mother of 54 children through the years. With humor and insight, she relates heartwarming personal stories that testify to Gods continual presence in the details and challenges of daily life and that like our Blessed Mother, we can trust Him completely.

Leave a comment by MIDNIGHT PST and we'll enter you to win one of these great prizes! One entry per person, please.

Remember to join us tomorrow and for the rest of our Marian Novena of Giveaways!

Editor's Note: Thank you for your support of our special Novena and for your participation in all of the contests! We had a terrific response and appreciate your visits to the donors' websites. I would like to give a huge vote of thanks to Sarah Reinhard for organizing this colossal effort. Winners will be notified via email this week. Thanks to all who participated! LMH