Spirituality ~ Saturday Salve

IN HONOR OF THE VIRGIN

Every Saturday, except Holy Saturday, at the most appropriate time, the Salve in honor of the Virgin will be sung in all the convents of the order with the participation of all the religious of the community.

It is advisable to sing the Salve in the church in a solemn manner, in front of the main altar or before an image of our Mother. The participation of the faithful, especially the members of the third order and those belonging to other Mercedarian congregations must be encouraged.

When the rite is solemnly celebrated, the procedure is the following: with the religious gathered in the sacristy or some other suitable place, there is to be a procession from the center of the church to the altar, according to the custom. Religious enter two by two, carrying lighted candles if it is suitable; the superior or the hebdomadary closes the procession, accompanied by two acolytes carrying the portable aspersorium and the book of prayers. During that time, the antiphon Salutate Mariam, or Salve, Mother of mercy, from the Proper office, or the Tota pulchra es, Maria, or some other suitable canticle may be sung.

When, for pastoral reasons, the singing of the Salve is linked with the mass, it is to take place at the beginning of the mass, in which case the penitential rite is omitted.

Having come to the altar and made the proper reverence, there may be an admonition or a greeting. Then, the cantor intones the prayer Salve, regina. During the singing, the superior sprinkles the religious and the people with holy water.

Depending upon the circumstances, the aspersion rite may be replaced by incensing the image, the religious and the people. Both rites may be replaced by another rite, according to local customs, or omitted.

After concluding the singing of the Salve, the verse and prayer are to be sung or recited:

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be worthy to attain the promises of Jesus Christ.

V. Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God,
grant us who rejoice
to live under the protection of the Virgin Mary,
our Mother and heavenly Patroness,
to be freed from the evils of this world
and to attain the happiness of heaven.
Through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

R. Amen.

Immediately, the antiphon Laudemus virum or Let us praise (Hagamos el elogio) from the Proper office is to be sung in honor of saint Peter Nolasco, our father, or some other song dedicated to him.

V. Saint Peter Nolasco, our father,
Pray for us.

R. That we may be worthy to attain the promises of Jesus Christ.

V. Let us pray.
O Lord,
who clothed our father saint Peter Nolasco
with Christ's charity,
and who, through the Virgin Mary,
made him the messenger of love and freedom
for captive Christians;
grant us to imitate his example
for the liberation of all the oppressed
and for the edification of your church.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. Amen.

Immediately after, the mass continues as indicated in number l6, or all return to the sacristy as usual. Meanwhile, the Tota pulchra es, Maria may be sung in two choruses, if it was not sung previously, or another suitable song may be used.