Here is a prayer of Pope Pius XII: ‘O Virgin, fair as the moon, delight of the angels and saints in heaven, grant that we may become like you and that our souls may receive a ray of your beauty, which does not decline with the years but shines forth into eternity. O Mary, sun of heaven, restore life where there is death and enlighten spirits where there is darkness. Turn your countenance to your children and radiate on us your light and your fervour. O Mary, powerful as an army, grant victory to our ranks. We are very weak and our enemy rages with uttermost conceit. But under your banner we are confident of overcoming him. Save us, O Mary, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, awe inspiring as an army set in battle array and sustained not by hatred but by the ardour of love’.

May our Blessed Mother intercede for us this day, and may God bless you. She is with us, and will not fail us.