Prayers of an Irish Mother (1934), compiled by Mary Teresa Dolan, is a devotional booklet reflecting the heartfelt petitions of Irish mothers in the early 20th Century. The prayers express a mother’s love and concern for her children, her family, and her own spiritual life–with a strong emphasis on devotion to the Virgin Mary as a motherly protector and intercessor.

Selected prayers include prayers for the:

• Protection of our children – asking for their safety, well-being and holiness.

• Guidance and strength – seeking courage and wisdom in the face of the duties of motherhood.

• Trust and hope – expressing confidence in God’s mercy and Mary’s care.

• Everyday life – prayers tied to our everyday struggles and blessings.

One notable prayer from the booklet begins:
“My Mother, I put my trust forever, O Mary, pure, in thee. Then show thyself a mother, And daily succour me.”