Prayer Service (Sep. 15th
)
Introduction
A warm welcome to one and all gathered here for the feast of mother of sorrows. Let us carry the placards in our hands which symbolize the seven sorrows of Mary. Her sorrows depict her way of accepting, accompanying, seeking, empowering, collaborating, embracing and pondering.
She is gentle, and quiet in manner
She is gracious, kind and true.
She is willing and always ready
Far more than her part to do!
And through all her years of good doing
Though sacrifice plays a good part
She unsparingly gives to those round her
the love that is stored in her heart.
Her sweet loving service to others,
Though unwritten, unsung and untold,
Yet blessed her own life, through giving
with riches of grace manifold.
Her sorrows are our way of life. Come let us enter into this meaningful prayer service as we greet our mother Mary with a song.
Song is played.
[Keep standing J.
It is a proud moment for all of us, where we witness the tremendous victory of Mother Mary through her sufferings by garlanding, crowning, placing Sandal, performing aarathi and sprinkling flowers as we join in singing angelus.
(Angelus is sung).
Please be seated.
Friends, innumerable are God’sblessings and bounty towards us. With grateful hearts we shall recount and be thankful to the living God for the blessings and graces each one of us has received. We thank God for the simple and ordinary things of life such as the smiles, laughter, joys and sorrows, difficulties and pain, the love of our ancestors, parents, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. Everything is GIFT.
Our hearts overflow with gratitude and praise that God has chosen each one of us for himself. We thank Jesus for his unconditional love and friendship and for granting us an intimate knowledge of all the gifts that he shares with us.
Let us praise and thank God for having created the universe and all it contains: the earth and the sky, the stars, the sun and moon, the seas, rivers and oceans, mountains and hills.
For the gift of the Holy Spirit which is the source of all renewal, for the warmth we experience in times of
friendship, for the love that has brought us here together and for the joy that
fills all hearts united.
The blessed virgin Mary embodies the very essence of Motherhood – humility, total adherence to the will of God , submission, self sacrifice and unconditional love. And Elizabeth ,filled with the holy spirit cried out in a loud voice and said most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Blessed be all mothers, who have come into our lives
whose kindness, care and love, remain with us to guide.
Your inspiration in us, made us strive in every way
especially to remember, helping others make our day.
Mothers, this little tribute, flows directly from our hearts
You are so loved and cherished , invaluable, one and all, you are.
Come let us also experience the powerful intervention of the holy spirit and proclaim in one voice as we sing
SONG IS PLAYED
Gospel reading:
Jn 19:25–27
May the spirit of mother Mary who stood at the foot of the cross enable us to give meaning to our sufferings as we remain in silence for a while.
Now let us venerate our blessed mother. After each prayer kindly offer the placard in the flower vase which is already set.
ACCEPTING:
Mother Mary’s acceptance of the prophecy of Simeon is truly adorable. She accepted the words of the prophets as God’s words. Dear mother through your acceptance we pray for all the formees and youth of the world that they may all accept God’s words as life giving, life changing and life lifting words. Praying for them let us offer this first sorrow of Mary’s acceptance.
MUSIC IS PLAYED
ACCOMPANYING:
Mother Mary’s accompaniment towards Egypt is uncertain yet she believed in the tremendous power of the Lord. Her strong effort to save the child led her travel to an unknown circumstances. Dear mother through your accompaniment we pray for all the formators and leaders of this world that they may all accompany the youngsters and the needy. Through which let them reach the destiny of peace, unity, fraternity and harmony. Praying for them let us offer this second sorrow of Mary’s accompaniment.
MUSIC IS PLAYED.
SEEKING:
The experience of seeking her son who was lost in the temple made her completely broken. Even at this broken situation she took enough courage and ardent faith on God that He will never betray her. Dear mother through your seeking experience we pray for all the administrative members of the mother church that they may be able to seek the lost. Let the return of the lost, testimony your protection and your saving guidance. Praying for them let us offer this third sorrow of Mary’s seeking.
MUSIC IS PLAYED.
EMPOWERING:
Mary’s empowerment towards Jesus on the way to Calvary is unimaginable and unbelievable as well. She empowered him through her mere sight , mere presence and mere closeness. Dear mother through your empowering experience we pray for all the administrative members of our congregation that they may be strengthened enough to empower the downtrodden, neglected, unwanted and unnoticed. May their every effort to empower the powerless truly bear fruits in abundance. Praying for them we offer this fourth sorrow of Mary’s empowering.
MUSIC IS PLAYED.
COLLABORATING:
Mother Mary’s collaboration at the foot of the cross begins the new life of entire human race. Her untiring journey for the betterment of the humanity is immeasurable. Here she clearly understood the need of her constant support to each one of us on this earth. Dear mother through your collaboration we pray for all who are engaged in various apostolate of education, healing, social work and pastoral work that they may collaborate very willingly in order to do a better service to the humanity. Praying for them let us offer this fifth sorrow of Mary’s collaborating.
MUSIC IS PLAYED.
EMBRACING:
Mother Mary’s embracing scene of her son literally makes everyone to weep, mourn and cry. [PAUSE].Her heroic role is vividly seen here. She not only lost her beloved son but the divine son. Yet her serene heart was able to imbibe the true meaning of this sorrow. Dear mother through your embracing we pray for all who have lost their loved ones. May they be touched by our Lord in order to regain their strength in return. Praying for them let us offer this sixth sorrow of Mary’s embracing.
MUSIC IS PLAYED
PONDERING:
Right from day one of her journey Mother Mary pondered everything in her heart. Now again she is mute mode to express herself after the burial of her only beloved son. Dear mother, through your pondering we pray for all the women, parents, broken families, wounded people and crying humanity who deeply ponder upon their sufferings in silence. May your intercessory blessings be upon them. Praying for them let us offer this seventh sorrow of Mary’s pondering
SONG IS PLAYED.
CONCLUDING PRAYER:
We solemnly celebrate the spiritual martyrdom of Mother of sorrows whose life was a complete package of ups and downs. But she gave new birth to every suffering. Today we draw new aspirations and insights about sorrows and sufferings. May the sorrows of Mary pave a way of new beginning. May her pondering moments energize our every cell. May her compassionate spirit console us. May her guiding spirit accompany us. May her unfailing faith empower us. May her words of silence become our vibrant deeds. May her faith and encouragement lead us to the path of eternity. May her serene heart intercede for us. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR FATHER PRAYER IS SAID
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