Prayers and Devotions
Novenas
The Novena for Impossible Requests to Mary provides comfort, hope, and solace to those facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. It encourages individuals to entrust three of their deepest concerns to Mary’s care, recognizing her as a compassionate and loving mother who understands the complexities of human life. Followers turn to her for help in moments of difficulty, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and trust in her ability to present their requests to her son, Jesus.
This novena is also known as the “Walk of the Incarnation,” where we journey with Our Lady throughout her entire pregnancy. On March 25th, we invite Jesus to dwell within us in a uniquely intimate way too. As we meditate on Jesus growing in Mary’s womb, we imagine Him expanding within us, too.
The symbolism of the nine months of pregnancy emphasizes the idea of waiting, growth, and transformation. Just as an unborn child develops over time in the womb, the faithful see this novena as a period of spiritual gestation, during which their requests are nurtured and presented before God through Mary’s intercession. The waiting period emphasizes patience and perseverance in faith.
The Novena for Impossible Requests, also known as the Annunciation Novena, asks for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. This novena is prayed for 9 months, representing the pregnancy period during which Our Lady carried Our Blessed Lord in her womb. The novena is prayed daily starting on March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation (given the novena’s name), and concluding on December 25th, the Birth of Christ.
This novena is known for its emphasis on asking for divine assistance in situations that seem insurmountable or “impossible” from a human perspective. It is an opportunity to ask Mary to take 3 of our most “impossible” requests and present them to Jesus, to plead with Him on our behalf. The time in which Mary carried Jesus in her womb draws a parallel between this period of waiting and the act of seeking divine intervention for seemingly impossible or desperate situations.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request.]
[Repeat above for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below.]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
An initiative of Covenant Network