Mother’s Day is a time to honour the beautiful vocation of motherhood—a gift and calling that reflects the love, care, and nurturing of God. In the Catholic tradition, we give thanks for mothers, both living and deceased, and ask Mary, the Mother of God, to intercede for them.

This Mother’s Day prayer (Catholic) is a way to:

• Thank God for your mother or mother figure
• Ask for grace, strength, and peace for her
• Remember spiritual and biological mothers
• Entrust every mother to Mary’s maternal care

“Her children rise up and call her blessed.” (Proverbs 31:28)

Let us now pray for mothers everywhere.

Mother’s Day Prayer Catholic

Heavenly Father,
I thank You for the gift of mothers—
For their love, their wisdom, and their sacrifice.

Bless my mother today and always.
Give her strength in weariness,
Peace in trials,
And joy in her calling.

May she feel honoured, loved, and supported
In her daily offering of love.

For mothers who are struggling—
Bring hope.
For mothers who are grieving—
Bring comfort.
For mothers who have gone to You—
Grant eternal rest and reward.

Through the intercession of Mary, our Blessed Mother,
Surround all mothers with grace,
And guide them to the heart of Your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Short Prayer for Mothers

Lord,
Bless all mothers today.
Give them grace to love, patience to guide,
And peace to rest in You.
May Mary be their companion always.
Amen.

Scriptures for Mother’s Day Reflection

• Proverbs 31:25–26 – “She is clothed with strength and dignity… she opens her mouth with wisdom.”
• Isaiah 66:13 – “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.”
• Luke 1:46–48 – “My soul magnifies the Lord… for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.”

Prayer Prompt Faith Activity

• Pray this at Mass or at home for your mother on Mother’s Day.
• Light a candle in memory of a mother who has passed.
• Share the prayer with a mother you know, as a gesture of love and faith.
• Encourage children to pray this with and for their mothers.

The Leonine Prayers are a set of Catholic prayers traditionally recited after Low Mass, instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1884. Originally intended to seek the freedom of the Church in Rome, these prayers later became a spiritual response to the growing threats against the Church and society—especially Satanic influence, political hostility, and moral decay.

Though no longer mandated in the Novus Ordo (post-Vatican II), these prayers are still encouraged by many faithful for:

• Spiritual protection
• Intercession for the Church
• Defense against evil

They are named after Pope Leo XIII, who had a vision of spiritual warfare that led him to compose the famous St. Michael the Archangel Prayer.

Let us now look at the Leonine Prayers in full and their significance.

What Are the Leonine Prayers?

The Leonine Prayers include:

1. Three Hail Marys
2. Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
3. Prayer for the Conversion of Sinners
4. St. Michael the Archangel Prayer
5. (Optionally added): Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Leonine Prayers (Text)

1. Three Hail Marys

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.

(Repeat three times.)

2. Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

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 toward 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.

3. Prayer for the Conversion of Sinners

Let us pray:
O God, our refuge and our strength,
Look down with favor upon Thy people who cry to Thee,
And through the intercession of the glorious and Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse,
Of Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints,
In mercy and goodness hear our prayers
For the conversion of sinners,
And for the freedom and exaltation of our holy Mother the Church.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

4. Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel,
Defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
And do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
By the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
Who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

5. Optional: Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us. (Repeat three times.)

Historical Background

• Instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1884
• Reinforced by Pope Pius X and Pope Pius XI
• Suppressed as obligatory in 1964, but many communities still pray them devotionally
• They were originally intended for the freedom of the Church in Rome, later expanded to a general spiritual warfare intention

Why Pray the Leonine Prayers Today?

• For protection against evil and demonic influence
• For the Church under persecution
• For the Pope and bishops
• For the return of fallen-away Catholics
• As spiritual armor in daily life

As St. Paul urges us:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11, NIV)

Prayer Prompt Faith Activity

1. Pray the Leonine Prayers daily after Mass or personal Rosary.
2. Offer them for specific intentions: your parish, the Pope, or your family.
3. Teach them to others in your Catholic group, school, or household.