Mary: Woman of Sorrow

Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		We take time today to pray to God through Mary, the Mother of God. We remember and honor Mary as the mother of Jesus—a mother who knew great sorrow because of the suffering that her Son endured for us all. Let us pray. Lord, we thank you for the inspiration of Mary. She was a woman of great strength. We ask you to bless us, Lord, with strength to endure in faith any challenge that we may face. We believe that, like Mary, we can draw our strength from you. Help us to grow in confidence through our prayers today that with your help we can boldly face any sorrow that may lie ahead. We pray this through Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.
READING
Reader		A reading from the Gospels of Luke and John. (Read Luke 23:27-28 and John 19:25-27a.) The Gospel of the Lord.
All		Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
Leader		Together we will pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All		Amen. (All make the Sign of the Cross.)
Leader		I believe in God,…to judge the living and the dead.
All		I believe in the Holy Spirit... (All complete the Apostles’ Creed.)
Leader		Our Father...as it is in heaven.
All		Give us this day... (All complete the Lord’s Prayer.)
Leader		Hail Mary, ….your womb, Jesus.
All		Holy Mary... (All complete three Hail Mary’s.)
Leader		Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
All		as it was in the beginning... (All complete the Glory Be.)
Leader		Before each decade listen to a brief reflection on the Mystery. Then, for each decade, say the Lord’s Prayer on the large bead and ten Hail Mary’s on the smaller beads. After each decade, pray the Glory Be to the Father. (Participants offer reflections at the beginning of each mystery, or the following can be read.)
The Agony of Jesus in the Garden Jesus prays alone in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The Scourging at the Pillar Pilate has Jesus beaten.
The Crowing with Thorns The soldiers torment Jesus by putting a crown of thorns on his head and calling him "King of the Jews."
The Carrying of the Cross Jesus is forced to carry his cross through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha.
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader		Let us pray. Lord God, we thank you for this time of prayer. Give us the confidence of Mary to follow you in all that we do and say with willing hearts and minds. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All		Amen. (All make the Sign of the Cross.)
CLOSING SONG