Sweet Jesus, Saviour of the World,
though our sins distance us from you,
we long to honor you
and your Holy Mother,
and are driven by the desire to see ourselves
in the faithful relationship that you desire of your faithful servants, so you will be acknowledged and worshipped by the inhabitants of this land.
We bow at your feet,
where we promise and vow,
as we do at the feet of the Blessed Virgin, your Mother,
to celebrate the sacrifice of Holy Mass
twelve times in the twelve months to come,
in honour and thanksgiving for the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin, your Mother,
and also to fast
as we do on the eve of her own feast of the same intention
in order to receive from your kindness and mercy,
by her intercession and her merits,
the conservation of this country and the conversion of all who live here.
O Holy and Sacred Queen of Angels and men,
Take under your holy protection
These peoples whom we present to you by the hand of your glorious Spouse
and your faithful servants
Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis Xavier
and all the Guardian Angels and protectors of this place,
to offer them to your beloved Son.
May it please him to keep and protect them.
Let the knowledge of his Holy Name be written in the hearts of those who do not yet know Him,
And make us all steadfast in His holy grace and His holy love.
Amen.
François de Laval was deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary. In fact, he made December 8th the Day of the Immaculate Conception.
This prayer vow, instituted in 1665 by the Blessed François de Laval in honour of the Immaculate Conception, is repeated every year by the priests in the Seminary. The Jesuit fathers have used this vow since 1636.