Mary during Lent

Our Blessed Mother has always, and continues, to point us toward her Son.  Let us become small and humble like Mary as we prepare for Lent.  She was able to bestow great grace on the small and humble girl of Lourdes.  I will be praying for your intentions and those of our beloved priests.

 

Mary, you showed yourself to Bernadette

in the crevice of the rock.

In the cold and grey of winter,

you brought the warmth, light and beauty

of your presence.

 

In the often obscure depths of our lives,

in the depth of the world where evil is so powerful,

bring hope, return our confidence!

You are the Immaculate Conception,

come to our aid, sinners that we are.

And send us good priests to help us to improve our lives.

Give us the humility to have a change of heart,

the courage to do penance.

Teach us to pray for all people.

And may our priests lead us in these efforts.

 

Guide us to the source of true life.

Make us pilgrims going forward with your Church,

whet our appetite for the Eucharist,

the bread for the journey, the bread of life,

which our priests preside for us.

 

The Spirit brought about wonders in you, O Mary:

by his power, he has placed you near the Father,

in the glory of your eternal Son.

 

Look with kindness on our miserable bodies and hearts.

Shine forth for us, like a gentle light, at the hour of our death.

May a good priest then be present at our side.

 

Together with Bernadette, we pray to you, O Mary,

as your poor children.  May we enter, like her, into the spirit of the Beatitudes.  Inspire our priests to make us understand them better.

Then, we will be able, here below, begin to know the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven and sing together with you:

Magnificat !

 

Glory to you, Virgin Mary,

blessed servant of the Lord,

Mother of God, Mother of the Church,

and Mother of Priests, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit!

Amen.