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Three Hail Marys
Three Hail Marys
Three Hail Marys
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Three Hail Marys are a traditional Roman Catholic devotional practice of reciting Hail Marys as a petition for purity and other virtues. Believers recommend that it be prayed after waking in the morning, and before going to bed. This devotion has been recommended by SS. Anthony of Padua, Alphonsus Liguori, John Bosco and Leonard of Port Maurice. Two saints, Mechtilde and Gertrude the Great, are said to have received revelations from the Blessed Virgin Mary regarding this practice.

It is a common practice for Catholics to offer three Hail Marys for any given problem or petition.

Pope Leo XIII granted an indulgence to those who practice the Three Hail Marys devotion and Pope Benedict XV raised the Confraternity of Three Hail Marys to the Archconfraternity of Three Hail Marys.[1]

History

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St. Anthony of Padua (1195–1231), one of the first to recommend the practice

The practice of reciting the Hail Mary three times dates at least to the 12th century. One of the first to practice and recommend it was St. Anthony of Padua (1195–1231). His purpose was "to honor the spotless Virginity of Mary and to preserve a perfect purity of mind, heart and body in the midst of the dangers of the world". The practice of saying three Hail Marys in the evening somewhere about sunset had become general throughout Europe in the first half of the 14th century and it was recommended and indulgenced by Pope John XXII in 1318 and 1327.[2]

Many saints have practiced and recommended the devotion of the "Three Hail Mary", such as Leonard of Port Maurice, Bonaventure, John Berchmans, John Baptist Mary Vianney (Cure of Ars), Stanislaus Kostka, Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, John Joseph of the Cross, John Baptist de Rossi, Gerard Majella, Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Alphonsus Liguori, Josemaría Escrivá and Blessed Marcellinus Champagnat.[3] The practice was observed by Franciscans and eventually developed into the Angelus prayer.[2]

The Three Hail Marys devotion was spread by Rev. John Baptist of Blois, who founded the Confraternity of Three Hail Marys.[1] Pope Leo XIII granted an indulgence to those who practice the Three Hail Marys devotion and Pope Benedict XV raised the Confraternity of Three Hail Marys to the Arch Confraternity of Three Hail Marys.[1]

Revelations from the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Mechthild of Hackeborn of Hackeborn (1241–1299), a Cistercian nun of the convent of Our Lady of Helfta, reportedly experienced three visions of the Virgin Mary. Mechtilde was distressed over her eternal salvation and prayed to the Virgin to be present at the hour of her death. In these appearances, Mary reassured her, and taught her to understand especially on how the Three Hail Marys honor the three persons of the Blessed Trinity. The first prayer recalls the power she received from God the Father to intercede for sinners, the second commemorates the wisdom received from God the Son; and the third, the love she bears, filled by Holy Spirit.[4][5]

According to St. Gertrude (1256–1301), the Blessed Virgin Mary promised the following: "To any soul who faithfully prays the Three Hail Marys, I will appear at the hour of death in a splendor of beauty so extraordinary that it will fill the soul with heavenly consolation."[6]

Madonna and Child with Angels, Duccio, 1282

One recommended method is as follows:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou amongst 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. O Mary, by thy pure and Immaculate Conception, make my body pure and my soul holy.[7]

Other recommendations

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Later on, St. Leonard of Port Maurice had "the three Ave Marias recited morning and evening in honor of Mary Immaculate, to obtain the grace of avoiding all mortal sins during the day and night; moreover, he promised in a special manner eternal salvation to all those who proved constantly faithful to this practice."[This quote needs a citation]

Doctor of the Church St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696–1787) adopted this pious practice and highly recommended it. He told parents to train their children to acquire the habit of saying three Hail Marys in the morning and evening. After each Hail Mary, he advised that the following prayer be said: "By thy pure and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, make my body pure and my soul holy."[This quote needs a citation]

According to the Pallottine Fathers, after Night Prayers: "Many saints have had the practice of adding three Hail Marys here in honor of Mary's purity for the grace of a chaste and holy life."[8] Thus, it has been recommended as a daily practice for people who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation that they pray the Three Hail Marys for "purity of mind, heart and body"[This quote needs a citation] after examination of conscience, before going to bed.

Adaptations

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St. Virgilius Council 185, Knights of Columbus, in Newtown, Connecticut, initiated a Three Hail Mary's Prayer Drive in support of those affected by the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The Council requested other Knights Councils and religious organizations to encourage the praying of one Hail Mary for the deceased and their families, one for first responders and teachers, and one for the community.[9][10]

One variation attributed to Cardinal Leo Joseph Suenens is to pray the rosary substituting three Hail Marys for the traditional decade.[11]

References

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Three Hail Marys

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The Three Hail Marys is a traditional Roman Catholic devotional practice involving the recitation of three Hail Mary prayers, typically once in the morning and once in the evening, to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary's privileges from the Holy Trinity and to seek her intercession for the grace of purity, avoidance of , and a holy life leading to salvation. This devotion traces its roots to at least the , with early promotion by medieval saints such as St. Anthony of Padua, who emphasized Mary's spotless virginity, and St. Bonaventure, who recommended three Hail Marys in the evening after for meditation on the . In the 13th century, St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn received private revelations from the Virgin Mary in , who promised special assistance during life and a consoling presence at the hour of death to those who prayed the devotion daily. It later gained widespread endorsement from figures like St. Gertrude the Great, who linked it to heavenly consolations; St. , who viewed it as a means to eternal salvation through preservation from ; and St. , who encouraged its daily recitation in his writings on Marian devotion. Other saints, including St. John Bosco and St. Pio of Pietrelcina, also advocated for it as a simple yet powerful spiritual weapon against temptation. The practice is performed by reciting three Hail Marys in succession, often with specific intentions tied to divine attributes: the first for the power of to strengthen against evil, the second for the wisdom of to foster at , and the third for the merciful of the to sweeten the bitterness of . A common concluding , indulgenced by Pope St. Pius X, is: "O Mary, by your , purify my body and sanctify my soul." While distinct from the three introductory Hail Marys in the (offered for , hope, and charity), the devotion shares a focus on Marian intercession and has influenced broader practices like the prayer. Associated promises stem from the revelations to St. Mechtilde and endorsements by saints, including guarantees of Mary's aid in trials, victory over sin, and for faithful practitioners. Popes have granted partial indulgences to encourage it: 200 days by , 300 days for members of the associated Archconfraternity by in 1920, and an Apostolic Benediction by Pope St. Pius X. Today, it remains a concise, accessible form of popular piety, recommended for daily spiritual discipline within the Church's rich tradition of .

Overview

Description

The Three Hail Marys is a traditional Roman Catholic devotion involving the recitation of three prayers, offered in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary's purity and the three great privileges she received from the Holy Trinity. This simple practice emphasizes Mary's and her role as intercessor, linking her virtues directly to the divine persons of the , , and . The devotion follows a Trinitarian structure, with each dedicated to one Person of the . The first honors , reflecting Mary's power as derived from the mystery of creation, through which the Father elevated her above all creatures. The second is addressed to , acknowledging Mary's wisdom gained from the work of redemption, positioning her as Queen of Wisdom in heaven. The third venerates , celebrating Mary's mercy infused by the Spirit's love and tenderness in the order of sanctification. Central to the devotion is the petition for protection against during daily life, as well as the attainment of graces for a holy , including , consolation, and assistance at the hour of passing. This focus underscores the devotion's role in fostering purity of body and while invoking Mary's maternal for final perseverance.

Purpose and Benefits

The primary purpose of the Three Hail Marys devotion is to honor the of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to implore her intercession for purity of heart, mind, and body, while seeking the grace to avoid and attain final perseverance in the . This practice serves as a daily act of personal , encouraging the faithful to entrust their moral struggles to Mary's protective influence, thereby fostering virtues essential for spiritual growth such as and . Among the specific benefits promised in traditional Catholic teaching, faithful recitation is said to ensure heavenly consolation at the hour of , with Mary appearing in extraordinary splendor to bring joy and dispel the soul's fears. It also provides increased devotion to Mary, along with robust protection against temptations, particularly those leading to impurity, thereby aiding the soul in maintaining holiness amid daily challenges. The theological basis of the devotion is rooted in the Catholic doctrines of Mary's sinlessness through her and her role as , through whom divine assistance flows to humanity for . By honoring these privileges—Mary's power from the , wisdom from the Son, and merciful love from the —the Three Hail Marys reinforce her maternal mediation, inviting practitioners to deeper reliance on her for moral fortitude and eternal union with God.

Historical Development

Origins in Medieval Mysticism

The devotion of the Three Hail Marys originated in the 13th century at Helfta Abbey in , , a prominent center of Cistercian monasticism. This practice emerged within the contemplative environment of the abbey, where nuns engaged in rigorous liturgical prayer and mystical reflection as part of their daily spiritual discipline. Helfta, founded in 1228 and adhering to the Cistercian rule derived from the Benedictine tradition, fostered a community dedicated to intellectual and devotional pursuits, including the veneration of the Virgin Mary as a central figure in Christian salvation. The devotion is closely associated with the Sisters of Helfta, a group of influential female mystics who contributed to its early development as an element of broader mystical practices. Key figures include St. Gertrude the Great (1256–1302) and Blessed Mechtilde of Hackeborn (1241–1298), both of whom lived and wrote at the abbey, recording visions and revelations that emphasized personal devotion to Mary. These women, often collaborating in their spiritual writings, integrated repetitive Marian prayers into their contemplative routines, viewing them as a means to deepen union with the divine through Mary's intercession. Gertrude's Legatus divinae pietatis and Mechtilde's Liber specialis gratiae (The Book of Special Grace) document such practices, highlighting the abbey's role in nurturing affective piety centered on the and Mary's virtues. In its initial context, the Three Hail Marys arose from the abbey's liturgical and contemplative devotions, which underscored Mary's pivotal role in salvation history as the Theotokos and co-redeemer. These prayers predated the formalized structure of the Rosary, which developed later in the 15th century, and instead reflected the Cistercian emphasis on simple, heartfelt repetitions to invoke grace and purity. The practice aligned with the era's growing Marian piety in German mysticism, where such devotions served as accessible tools for nuns to contemplate scriptural mysteries like the Annunciation and Visitation without elaborate bead-based aids.

Spread and Evolution

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Three Hail Marys devotion integrated into broader Marian practices amid the Renaissance's emphasis on personal piety and the burgeoning popularity of the . As the Rosary structure evolved, incorporating 50 Hail Marys linked to meditative mysteries, the initial three Hail Marys were traditionally recited to invoke the virtues of , , and charity, embedding the devotion within this widespread lay prayer form. The invention of the around 1450 further propelled its dissemination, as —personal prayer manuals featuring repeated Hail Marys alongside and hours dedicated to Mary—became mass-produced and accessible beyond monastic circles, appearing in vernacular editions across . The devotion's evolution from its monastic origins to a standalone lay practice accelerated during the (16th–17th centuries), when the promoted accessible personal prayers to foster devotion among the and counter Protestant critiques of Marian veneration. Figures like St. Leonard of Port Maurice (1675–1751), a Franciscan , recommended the Three Hail Marys as a simple and daily safeguard against sin, adapting it for popular missions and broadening its appeal to ordinary faithful. This shift emphasized its role in everyday piety, transforming it from an elite contemplative exercise into a concise tool for spiritual discipline amid the era's focus on interior reform. In the 19th century, the devotion experienced a notable revival, fueled by saintly endorsements and institutional support that embedded it in popular Catholic literature. St. John Bosco (1815–1888), a key figure in the era's Catholic renewal, actively promoted the Three Hail Marys for purity and protection, integrating it into his educational and evangelistic efforts. Similarly, the founding of the Confraternity of the Three Hail Marys by Fr. John Baptist of in the late 19th century—approved by numerous bishops and granted indulgences by in 1884—spurred its rapid spread across and beyond, culminating in its elevation to an archconfraternity by in 1921. These developments, alongside reprints of influential works like St. Alphonsus Liguori's The Glories of Mary (originally 1750), ensured the devotion's prominence in 19th-century prayer manuals and periodicals.

Revelations and Promises

Vision to St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn

Blessed Mechtilde of Hackeborn (1241–1298), a Benedictine nun at Helfta Abbey in , received a from the Virgin Mary around 1270 during a period of intense prayer and mystical contemplation. While beseeching the Blessed Mother for her assistance at the hour of death, Mechtilde experienced a vision in which Mary appeared and granted her request, conditional on the daily recitation of three Hail Marys. This event occurred within the vibrant spiritual environment of Helfta, a Cistercian convent renowned for its mystical tradition and intellectual pursuits under the guidance of abbesses like Gertrude of Hackeborn. In the vision, the Virgin Mary instructed Mechtilde to pray the three Hail Marys each day in honor of her unique privileges conferred by the Holy Trinity, promising profound spiritual graces in return. The first Hail Mary honors Mary's sublime dignity as Daughter of , whose omnipotence elevated her above all creatures; the second honors her as Mother of , whose infinite wisdom she shares to enlighten souls; and the third honors her as Spouse of , whose love filled her with divine sweetness and mercy. Mary assured that those who faithfully practiced this devotion would receive her maternal presence and consolation at , shielding them from fear, error, and bitterness, while granting purity of intention throughout life and special aid in their final moments. This revelation was promptly documented by Mechtilde's fellow nuns at Helfta Abbey in her primary work, The Book of Special Grace (Liber specialis gratiae), a collection of her visions compiled during her lifetime between approximately 1290 and 1298. The text's inclusion of the vision facilitated its immediate adoption within the monastic community at Helfta, where the devotion became a regular practice among the sisters, fostering deeper Marian piety and influencing the abbey's liturgical and devotional life. The book's circulation beyond the abbey soon contributed to the devotion's early spread in medieval German religious circles.

Vision to St. Gertrude the Great

St. Gertrude the Great (1256–1302), also a nun at Helfta Abbey and the transcriber of Mechtilde's visions, received her own private revelations from the Virgin Mary regarding the Three Hail Marys devotion. In one vision, Mary promised that to any soul who faithfully prays the three Hail Marys, she would appear at the hour of death in a splendor of beauty to dispel fear and lead the soul to God. Additionally, during the recitation of the Hail Marys, Gertrude beheld three flames arising from the three divine Persons of the , which entered Mary's heart, signifying the devotion's honor to her privileges from the Father, Son, and . These revelations, recorded in Gertrude's The Herald of Divine Love (Legatus divinae pietatis), reinforced the promises of consolation at death and grace against sin, further promoting the devotion within the Helfta community and beyond.

Additional Marian Apparitions

Later 20th-century Marian apparitions, such as those at (1917), Beauraing (1932–1933), and Banneux (1933), emphasized themes of prayer, purity, reparation for sins, and Mary's Immaculate Heart as a refuge, which thematically align with the Three Hail Marys' focus on seeking Mary's for avoiding and obtaining a holy death. However, these apparitions did not include specific revelations or promises regarding this particular devotion.

Practice and Method

Standard Form of the Devotion

The standard form of the Three Hail Marys devotion consists of reciting the traditional prayer three times, each followed by an invocation that honors Mary's and petitions for personal purity and protection from sin, reflecting Trinitarian intentions through her privileges of power from the Father, wisdom from the Son, and mercy from the . This structure, recommended by St. Alphonsus Liguori in The Glories of Mary, emphasizes Mary's sinless preservation as a model and means for the devotee's spiritual safeguarding. The prayer text is as follows, recited identically for each of the three s:
, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, .
Holy Mary, Mother of ,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
.
After each , add the invocation:
By thy pure and , O Mary,
make my body pure and my soul holy.
Preserve me this day [or this night] from .
The devotion is traditionally performed kneeling or prostrate before an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary to foster reverence and focus. The Three Hail Marys devotion is traditionally recommended for daily recitation in the morning upon arising and in the evening before retiring, serving as a spiritual safeguard against mortal sin throughout the day and night. This practice invokes Mary's intercession to cover the faithful in purity and grace from dawn to dusk, aligning with longstanding Catholic guidance on incorporating brief Marian prayers into routine prayer life. St. Anthony Mary Claret strongly advocated this timing, particularly emphasizing the evening recitation as a potent defense against demonic temptations and nocturnal sins, based on his experiences and teachings that highlighted its role in fostering humility and trust in Mary's protection. For those seeking enhanced purity, the devotion is endorsed for this twice-daily practice by saints like St. Leonard of Port Maurice, who prescribed it specifically to avoid deadly sins and promote chastity of heart and body. The devotion integrates well with broader daily rituals, though it remains a standalone short prayer focused on the Trinity's privileges granted to the Blessed Virgin.

Endorsements and Recommendations

Support from Saints

St. Anthony Mary Claret, a 19th-century Spanish and , recommended the daily recitation of the Three Hail Marys as a devotion for preserving purity of heart and body. In his spiritual guidance, he urged the faithful to pray it each morning and evening, associating it with the promise that Mary would be present at the hour of death to those who persevered in the practice, offering consolation and heavenly light. Claret popularized this form of the devotion among his followers, viewing it as a powerful safeguard against in daily life. St. Pio of Pietrelcina, the 20th-century Capuchin friar known as Padre Pio, advocated for the Three Hail Marys as a simple yet powerful spiritual weapon against temptation. He encouraged this brief prayer as a means of invoking Mary's maternal assistance for spiritual purity. St. Alphonsus Liguori, the 18th-century Doctor of the Church, included the Three Hail Marys in his influential work The Glories of Mary as a powerful aid for avoiding sin and obtaining graces from the Virgin. He described it as a kneeling or prostrate prayer said morning and evening, with the invocation "By thy pure and immaculate conception, O Mary, make my body pure and my soul holy," and noted associated indulgences granted by the Church, emphasizing its efficacy for a holy life and happy death.

Papal and Ecclesial Approvals

The devotion of the Three Hail Marys has been formally recognized and encouraged through various papal and ecclesial actions, underscoring its place within approved Marian piety. In the late 19th century, granted a partial of 200 days for the daily recitation of the Three Hail Marys, particularly when offered with the intention of preservation from . This grant, issued amid Leo XIII's broader promotion of the through multiple encyclicals such as Supremi apostolatus officio (1883) and Laetitiae sanctae (1893), highlighted the devotion's alignment with communal prayer practices aimed at spiritual protection and societal renewal. In 1920, Pope Benedict XV extended a partial indulgence of 300 days to members of the Archconfraternity of the Three Hail Marys. Additionally, Pope St. Pius X granted an indulgence to the concluding invocation: "O Mary, by your Immaculate Conception, purify my body and sanctify my soul." The devotion holds official ecclesial status as an approved private revelation-based practice within the Catholic Church. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments recognizes such Marian devotions as valid expressions of popular piety, provided they conform to doctrine and complement the liturgy, as outlined in the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2001). Furthermore, the Enchiridion of Indulgences (fourth edition, 1999), promulgated by the Apostolic Penitentiary, grants a partial indulgence for the devout recitation of the Hail Mary, applicable to the Three Hail Marys when performed with pious intent and detachment from sin.

Variations and Modern Adaptations

Novena and Pledge Forms

The Three Hail Marys devotion can be extended into a novena format, involving the recitation of the three Hail Marys daily for nine consecutive days, typically accompanied by specific petitions to the Virgin Mary for graces such as purity of heart, humility, and contrition for sins. This structured prayer honors Mary's privileges of power from God the Father, wisdom from God the Son, and mercy from God the Holy Spirit, with each Hail Mary followed by an invocation requesting protection from mortal sin and personal intentions like conversion of sinners or healing. For example, the novena begins with the Sign of the Cross and includes petitions such as: "By that charity wherewith thou wast united to God, by that mercy which thou hast received from Him, obtain for me the grace of [specific grace, e.g., a happy death]." Pledge variations of the devotion encourage lifelong commitments to daily recitation, often framed as a formal for reparation and spiritual benefits, such as enrollment in heavenly protection at the hour of death. One prominent example is the "Three Hail Marys Pledge" promoted by , where participants commit to praying the three Hail Marys each morning or evening in honor of the Holy Trinity, adding the invocation: "O my Mother, preserve me this day (or night) from ." This pledge emphasizes fidelity for the conversion of America and personal salvation, with promised graces including Mary's appearance at death in splendor for consolation, as revealed to Saint Mechtilde.

Contemporary Usage

In contemporary Catholic practice, the Three Hail Marys devotion is actively promoted through digital platforms and resources, facilitating daily integration into personal prayer routines. Organizations such as offer dedicated web pages and guides that encourage its recitation for purity and spiritual protection, making it accessible via online libraries and broadcasts. Similarly, the Center maintains online resources highlighting the devotion's role in avoiding , with downloadable materials for morning and evening prayer. Mobile applications like the Catholic App include the Three Hail Marys with daily reminders to support consistent practice amid modern lifestyles. The devotion enjoys widespread adoption in global Catholic communities, particularly in regions with strong Marian traditions. Organizations like for Faith and Family promote the Three Hail Marys in resources aimed at fostering purity among young people, aligning it with teachings on human dignity and .

References

  1. https://aleteia.org/2017/08/14/the-beautiful-devotion-of-the-three-hail-marys/
  2. http://www.catholictradition.org/Mary/three.htm
  3. https://fatima.org/the-three-hail-marys/
  4. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/short-history-of-the-angelus-9114
  5. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/three-hail-marys-novena-323
  6. https://www.holyrosary.com.au/three-hail-marys-devotion.htm
  7. https://visitationproject.org/pages/the-three-hail-marys
  8. https://www.maryqueenusa.org/devotions/three-hail-mary-devotion/
  9. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/mary-mother-of-salvation
  10. http://www.societyforthestudyofwomenphilosophers.org/Helfta_Monastery.html
  11. https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/8-631-3/mechthild-of-hackeborn.aspx
  12. https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/the-book-of-hours-in-medieval-christianity
  13. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/history-of-the-rosary-1142
  14. http://www.salvemariaregina.info/SalveMariaRegina/SMR-112.html
  15. https://catholicgentleman.com/2013/08/spiritual-weapons-3-hail-marys-for-purity/
  16. https://www.ecatholic2000.com/liguori/glories58.shtml
  17. https://www.olrl.org/three-hail-marys/
  18. https://www.fisheaters.com/threehailmarys.html
  19. https://catholicus.eu/en/the-three-hail-marys-at-night-that-drove-away-demons-according-to-st-anthony-mary-claret/
  20. https://catholicunapologetics.com/resources/The_Straight_and_Sure_Path.pdf
  21. https://padrepiodevotions.org/prayers/
  22. https://www.isfcc.org/novena-to-saint-pio-of-pietrelcina/
  23. https://www.ecatholic2000.com/liguori/glories.shtml
  24. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_08091893_laetitiae-sanctae.html
  25. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html
  26. http://holyjoe.org/indulgences/Indulgences_1999.pdf
  27. https://novenaprayer.com/3-hail-marys-novena-devotions/
  28. https://americaneedsfatima.org/three-hail-marys-pledge
  29. https://catholicnovenaapp.com/novenas/three-hail-marys-novena/
  30. https://www.catholicaction.org/strengthening_children_in_purity
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