Consecration of Canada and USA to Mary, Mother of God
The Bishops of Canada and the United States recently consecrated our respective nations to the maternal care of the Mother of God.
The Consecration of Canada begins:
Brothers and Sisters, in this time of pandemic marked by desolation and with worry about the future, let us entrust our country to the care and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may benefit from her powerful intercession as we join our prayers and efforts with her maternal mediation in Christ.
By imploring the incomparable help of Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, we invoke her solicitude upon our country and ask that she intercede with her Son Jesus to hear the prayers of her children who seek protection from the ravages of the coronavirus, healing for those who are ill, wisdom and courage for those who assist the sick and distressed, and eternal rest for those who have died.
During this month of May, which the Church particularly dedicates to the Mother of Christ, we are one in consecrating ourselves and our loved ones to Mary most Holy, the humble Handmaid of the Lord and his most perfect Disciple. We lift up in prayer and in recognition all those many women and men, clergy, religious and laity, who tirelessly commit themselves to the care of others. The innumerable acts of deep human kindness as well as authentic Christian charity which we witness across the globe are a source of great consolation for all. We are reminded evermore of the need to believe and hope against all hope, and we are called to reach out to the needy, the lonely and the dying, and so welcome the graces of divine consolation.
The Act of Consecration can be found at the link below:
Prayer of Consecration
Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,
in this time of pandemic, we turn our gaze to you,
and in Christ consecrate to you the faithful of our Diocese/Eparchy together with all the people of Canada.
At the Annunciation,
fear gave way to trust as you embraced the mysterious and loving plan of God, who through his providence, care
and concern brought about newness of life in you and through you.
Intercede, we pray, on our behalf as your children, Virgin most faithful.
Grant us faith, hope and perseverance, as we strive to serve and bear witness to all persons, responding to the
needs of those affected by this virus.
Standing at the foot of the Cross at Calvary,
you united yourself with the sufferings of Christ and so uniquely contributed to the mystery of our redemption.
We beseech you as Health of the sick, draw to yourself in maternal compassion the brothers and sisters of your
Son Jesus and all those who are grieved by this pandemic.
Strengthen the dying and comfort those who weep so that all may experience the healing grace of Christ our
Divine Physician.
At the Cenacle, after the Resurrection,
you accompanied the Apostles with prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
In your maternal care as Consoler of the afflicted, accompany healthcare professionals, all who minister to the sick
and those who seek a cure to end this pandemic, that the Holy Spirit may renew the face of the earth.
To all of us, dearest Mary, Mother of all the living,
be present and show forth your tenderness, as we raise our eyes to you who shines forth before the entire
community as a merciful and compassionate companion on our journey. Time and time again, with burdens
weighing heavily on their hearts and in their many necessities, the Christian faithful have sought refuge under
your mantle of protection.
Come quickly to our aid at this time, Mother of Mercy, and deliver us from the dangers that surround us in
our hour of need; watch over especially the elderly, the weak and the infirm, our children and the unity of our
families, and all those who give of themselves selflessly in pastoral care to those in need until in your arms and
in your gentle embrace we all find safety and solace.
R. Amen.
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