NOVENA PRAYER

Mary, Our Mother, by accepting the invitation to bear God’s Son to the world, you brought forth new life for all of us. Your faithful acceptance of God’s word is our model and inspiration as we strive to make room in our hearts for your Son and bear him to others. Help us to follow him more closely, even to the foot of the cross, as you did.



During this month dedicated to you, we ask in a special way for you to care for each of our own mothers: (state your personal intention).

Notre Dame, our Mother, we pray today for our mothers and for all recent mothers and mothers with young children, particularly those experiencing postpartum depression or exhaustion. Help them—and each of us—to find room for silence in which to hold in our hearts the life-giving Word of God.

We pray, as in all things, through the name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
TODAY’S SAINT

Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist. The Gospel of Luke describes Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah as a holy couple who desperately want a child, but remain barren.

After Zechariah is visited by an angel in the temple during the evening sacrifice, Elizabeth, who is, by this time, well-beyond child-bearing years, has a son. They name their son John.

Luke also tells us that Elizabeth is the kinswoman of Mary. After Mary’s own annunciation by an angel, she runs to visit Elizabeth.

Luke portrays Zechariah as a holy man who experiences doubts. Zechariah doubted the news that he received from the angel. Thus, the angel struck Zechariah mute. When John the Baptist was born, friends and family consulted Zechariah on what he wanted his son to be named. When he wrote on a slate that the boy shall be called “John,” his speech is restored. Zechariah then bursts into a hymn of praise that the Church prays during each morning prayer.

Elizabeth is portrayed as a holy woman who accepts Christ with faith instantly. When Mary approaches her, Elizabeth cries out: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1:42) No explanation is given for Elizabeth uttering this fantastic greeting other than the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth is filled with faith, which allows her to recognize the Messiah, even when hidden in Mary’s womb.

The painting above portrays Elizabeth and Mary with their two sons. Relics of both Elizabeth and Zechariah rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame’s campus, as does a piece of the house they lived in. Elizabeth is the patron saint of pregnant women, particularly those going through difficult pregnancies.

St. Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist and cousin of Mary—pray for us!
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