I was thinking of a Novena to say to the Blessed Virgin Mary one day a week ago, and it occurred to me to cleverly combine two ancient and classic prayers. Quite possibly this has happened before, but I do not know of it.

I use as the basic prayer the “Memorare” (first paragraph below, and use as the petition (or intention, whichever term you’d rather use) the “Hail Mary.”

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
Implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come,
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.

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 death.

Amen.

The Memorare requests her intercession, the Hail Mary is the petition (“pray for us sinners”). I sneak in another small petition immediately after “hour of death.”

Not sure if this is odd, but I’ve been saying it for 8 days already, and feel that the petition has been heard.

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