Mary, Our Mother

Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		Let us begin our celebration with the "Memorae," a special prayer asking Mary to keep us in her memory.
Group 1		Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Group 2		Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother!
Group 1		To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful.
Group 2		O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us.
All		Amen.
READING
Reader		A reading from the Book of Revelation. (Read Revelation 12:1-6.) The word of the Lord.
All		Thanks be to God.
PETITIONS
Leader		This day we gather to honor Mary whom God chose to be the Mother of Jesus. Now she is our Mother, too. We hope to someday rejoice with Mary in heaven. We ask Mary to intercede on our behalf.
Reader		Mary, you had friends as you were growing up. At times those friends were probably unkind toward each other. That happens to us, too. We sometimes form cliques and exclude other people. Help us to be kind to and include everyone.
All		Mary, intercede for us.
Reader		Mary, when you were young and with child, you probably had many doubts. You sought comfort through your faith in God. Help us to seek guidance from those we trust when we are in doubt or confused. Help us realize that trust in God is the best way to look to the future.
All		Mary, intercede for us.
Reader		Mary, you knew fear. You experienced fear many times—when fleeing to Egypt, when your son was lost, and when your son died. Be with us when we are afraid because of danger or because of hard-to-make decisions.
All		Mary, intercede for us.
Reader		Mary, you lived a life without sin. We try to do what is right and to avoid sin, but sometimes we make mistakes. Intercede for us, that God will give us the strength to avoid sin and to follow instead the way of love.
All		Mary, intercede for us.
RITUAL
Leader		We can associate with Mary because she had to make difficult choices as a young person. At this time, please come forward one at a time to leave your petition at the prayer table. (Instrumental music plays as participants come forward.)
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader		Mary remained faithful to God through the good and bad times. God has raised Mary to a place of honor because of her willingness to accept what God asked her to do. May we always answer "yes" to what God asks of us.
All		Amen.
CLOSING SONG