Planning a family and generating children for God and society: these are dreams and desires present in the hearts of those who have the vocation to marriage and want to form a family according to the Lord’s designs. Getting pregnant is responsible, however, it is above all a great grace from God, who chooses men and women to be co-creators with Him.
Regarding depending on the Lord for this achievement and preparing for the arrival of a child, the Virgin Mary is Master! It is worth re-reading the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary; a dialogue that changed not only Her life, but that of all humanity. Imagine what that conversation was like… Enter the scene and absorb every word:
“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin married to a man whose name was Joseph, from the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary. Entering, the angel said to him: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” She was disturbed by these words and began to think about what such a greeting would mean. The angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” Mary asked the angel: “How will this be done, since I know no man?” He answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy being born from you will be called the Son of God. Also Elizabeth, your relative, even she conceived a son in her old age; and she who is considered barren is already in her sixth month, because nothing is impossible with God.” Then Mary said: “Behold the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:26-38).
For those who want to get pregnant
For the couple who want to get pregnant, this calls for availability. And yet: talking about getting pregnant is also talking about the expectation of realizing the Lord’s plans, but with abandonment and awareness that He guides the entire path.
The Marian title of Nossa Senhora do Ó can be an important instrument for those who want to get pregnant and/or are already pregnant. Such devotion arose precisely from the antiphons of the Vespers of the Hours, from December 17th to 23rd. There are seven antiphons prayed before and after the Magnificat and they all begin with the interjection “O” followed by an invocation to Jesus, such as “O Wisdom”, “O Key of David”, “O Righteous Rising Sun”. They thus remember the moment when Mary was pregnant, but very close to the birth of the Baby God. The exclamation “O” that accompanies each name given to Christ indicates admiration, joy and great joy! Mary was the one who always waited and trusted.
In this way, whatever the couple’s situation, whether they are planning a pregnancy or having challenges in achieving it, the invitation is: trust in God! And we have a great helper for this: the , the Lady of Ó! She also carried a Son in her womb, the One expected by all generations, and also sought to prepare herself to receive the most Beautiful Boy of all!
How to ask for help from Senhora do Ó
Of all the Marian titles, we cannot forget one: She is Mother! We all need a mother. Whether or not we have our mother on earth anymore, the Mother of Heaven is always present in every moment of our history. With her, we also need to cultivate a personal and deep relationship. She is the mediator of all graces, she takes all our intentions to Jesus and takes care of all women who want to get pregnant, their pregnancy and that they have a good time.
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Next, one that, according to tradition, is dedicated to Senhora do Ó:
Prayer to Our Lady of Ó
Sweet Virgin Mary, whose heart was prepared by God for the abode of the Word made flesh, through the ineffable joys of awaiting your most holy birth, teach us the perfect dispositions of complete purity in body and soul, of profound humility in spirit and in heart, of an ardent and sincere desire for union with God.
Annunciation and the Sweet Waiting for the Baby Jesus, teach us to have complete purity in body and soul and deep humility in spirit and heart so that the gentle Fruit of your blessed womb may be mercifully born in our hearts. To them, bringing the abundance of divine gifts, for the redemption of our sins, sanctification of our lives and the obtaining of our crown in paradise in your company. Amen.
Intercede for me (confidently make your request) and cause the sweet Fruit of your blessed womb to be born mercifully in my heart. So be it.
In the book learn the full story of this devotion and other prayers to be said for the baby, as a family or for those who want to get pregnant.
A very special veneration for women who are available to God’s grace in generating new lives.