Marian devotion
Prayer to Our Lady of China
Chinese Prayer to the Virgin
This prayer to Our Lady of China has been prayed by Chinese Catholics since the early 20th century. Composed after the approval of the advocation by Pope Pius XI in 1928, he expresses the confidence of the Chinese people in the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary.
Text of the sentence
Oh, Most Holy Mother of China, Queen of the martyrs and protector of our people, we come to you with filial trust. You who appeared in Donglü to save your children from persecution, look with love to the Church in China.
Protect us in trials, comfort us in suffering and strengthen us in faith. May your example of fidelity to Christ help us to persevere in the midst of difficulties.
Oh, Our Lady of China, intercede for us before your Son. May the light of the Gospel illuminate all the land of China and may all peoples know the love of God.
Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us sinners, now and at the time of our death. Amen.
History of prayer
This prayer was composed in the first half of the 20th century, following the approval of Our Lady of China's advocation by Pope Pius XI in 1928. The Lazarist missionaries of Hebei were the main diffusers of prayer, which quickly spread throughout all the Catholic communities of China.
During the Cultural Revolution, this prayer was secretly prayed by the clandestine Catholics. Many faithful memorized it and recited it in a low voice, as an act of spiritual resistance against persecution.
The prayer today
Today, this prayer remains one of the most prayed by Chinese Catholics, both in China and in the diaspora. The Chinese parishes recite it at the end of the Mass, especially at the Feast of Our Lady of China (second Sunday of May).
Prayer in Mandarin
And after the Holy Mother of China, the martyr, our nation's protector, we have come to you with a loving heart. When you show up in East China and save your children from persecution, look to the Chinese Church with a loving look.
Protect us in the test, comfort us in the pain and strengthen us in faith. Your example of the faithfulness of Christ helps us to persevere in our difficulties.
Mother of China, turn to your son. May the light of the Gospel shine upon the land of China and all the people know the love of God.
Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us sinners, from now until the day we die. Amen.
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