(adapted from Joyce Rupp, OFM, “Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self” p. 13)
Remember the Holy One is with you. Bring to mind this loving presence within you and around you as you pray the following:
Touch your fingertips to your forehead, saying: Open my mind to remember your presence.
Touch your fingertips to your mouth, saying: Open my mouth to speak your wisdom.
Touch your fingertips to your heart, saying: Open my heart to extend your love.
Hold both hands out, open, palms up, saying: Open my hands to serve you generously.
Hold your arms, wide open, saying: Open my whole being to you.
Make a deep bow to the loving presence of the God in you.
(adapted from Pope Francis, Prayer to Mary, Woman of Listening)
Loving God, we ask You that – through Mary, a woman of listening, You open our ears; Grant us to know how to listen to the word of your Son Jesus Among the thousands of words of this world; Grant that we may listen to the reality in which we live, To every person we encounter, especially those who are poor, in need, in hardship.
Through Mary, woman of decision, Help us illuminate our mind and our heart, So that we may obey, unhesitating, the word of your Son Jesus; Give us the courage to decide, Not to let ourselves be dragged along, letting others direct our life.
Through Mary, woman of action, We obtain that our hands and feet move “with haste” toward others, To bring them the charity and love of your Son Jesus, To bring the light of the Gospel to the world, as you did. Amen.
John 19:17 and Luke 23:27*
“And carrying the cross himself . . .” (Jn 19:17). “A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him” (Lk 23:27).
(adapted from the Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to the Cross)
Mary pushes her way through the shouting, cursing mob. At last, she sees her son carrying his cross. Mary’s heart breaks in unspeakable sorrow at the outrage committed against his precious body. She is powerless to minister to him, except by her presence. Their eyes meet and speak volumes of love in a frozen moment of anguished silence. “Trust, trust,” Jesus’ heart speaks to hers. His unspoken words echo in her hearing heart. With renewed strength, she walks the Way of her son.
Luke 23: 55-56*
“The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils”
(adapted from the Seventh Sorrow: Assisting at the Burial of Christ)
Mary hesitates before placing the grave cloth over Jesus’ face. Tenderly, she kisses him one last, lingering time. John steps forward to take her hand and lead her to his home. Behind them, they hear the heavy round stone rolled forward to seal the cave. Mary’s pierced heart remains united to the stilled heart of the one they had pierced—the most Sacred Heart that was formed in her immaculate womb. With one languishing wail, she proclaims what others are just now beginning to believe, what she already knew: “My Lord and my God!”
[Readings are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSVCE): Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]
(5 – 10 minutes)
God of infinite mercy, we trust in you and your power working in us. Please hear and answer our prayers:
In this time of bewilderment and fear during this pandemic, we ask you to give us the courage to take care of one another as Jesus did. For those who are ill, especially those who are frightened and alone, for those who cannot access healthcare; for those who are the most vulnerable to this disease: the elderly, those with chronic disorders, those who are migrants and refugees and those who are homeless and lost, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our sadness and grief, we ask you to give us words to comfort one another. For those who are dying, for those who have no one to tend to them; and for those who have already died from the Covid-19 virus, that they live forever with Christ in the glory of the resurrection, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our struggle to ensure a healthy future for all who live on this planet, we ask you to give us the hope that surpasses our current understanding. For all who are on the frontlines of this Covid pandemic, especially our health care workers and first responders, who at considerable personal risk are working to save human lives; and for essential workers who are unable to stay at home but must work to provide for their families, that may God continue to protect them and keep them in good health, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our own anxiety, we ask you to give us the courage to support one another as You would. For spiritual leaders and our faith communities, for artists and poets, for prophets and teachers, for those who are unexpectedly unemployed, for employers who share what they can, for our government and financial institutions and those who lead them, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our desire to find hope, we pray for those in laboratories who work with COVID-19 testing and for researchers who are working diligently for effective treatments for the disease, and for vaccines that will be able to stop the spread of the disease especially the new Covid variants, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of need to find order and stability, we pray for civil leaders in nations, provinces, states, cities, and villages that they may serve with wisdom, compassion and humility all the people in their care; and for all of those who have become “helpers” during this crisis volunteering their time, efforts, and talent to do good on behalf of others who are less fortunate, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our growing awareness that all life on Earth is connected, we ask for the heart to respect and cherish all life. That all peoples recognize that we are all your children, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
(You may add your own intercessions here.), we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
[adapted from Cynthia Serjak, RSM. A Prayer for Uncertain Times. (March 17, 2020). https://www.sistersofmercy.org/about-us/news-and-events/a-prayer-for-uncertain-times/; and from Fr. James Pizker, Intercessory Prayer during this Pandemic.]
God, we ask that all who are affected by this virus be held in your loving care. In this time of uncertainty, help us to know what is ours to do. We know you did not cause this suffering but that you are with us in it and through it. Help us to recognize your presence in acts of kindness, in moments of silence, and in the beauty of the created world. Grant peace and protection to all of humanity for their well-being and for the benefit of the earth. Amen. [Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, A Covid Prayer]
(adapted from Pope Francis, Prayer to Virgin Mary for protection)
O Healing God, Through Mary, may you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the God’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
(Prayer prepared by Sr. Maria Lucia Serrano, RSM)
This Events entry was posted on Thursday, April 1st, 2021.
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