A PARISH PRIEST'S PRAYER TO MARY MOST HOLY

A PARISH PRIEST'S PRAYER TO MARY MOST HOLY

O Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, Mother of the Church, a priestly people (I Peter 2:9), Mother of priests, ministers of your Son: accept the humble offering of myself, so that in my pastoral mission the infinite mercy of the Eternal High Priest may be proclaimed: O "Mother of Mercy". You who share the "priestly obedience" (Hebrews 10:5-7; Luke 1:38) of your Son, and who prepared for him a worthy receptacle by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, keep my priestly life in the ineffable mystery of your divine maternity, "Holy Mother of God". Grant me strength in the dark hours of this life, support me in the exertions of my ministry, entrust me to Jesus, so that, in communion with you, I may fulfill the ministry with fidelity and love, O Mother of the Eternal Priest. "Queen of Apostles and Help of Priests". Make me faithful to the flock entrusted to me by the Good Shepherd. You silently accompanied Jesus on his mission to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. May I always guide it with patience, sweetness, firmness and love, caring for the sick, the weak, the poor, and sinners, O "Mother, Help of the Christian People". I consecrate and entrust myself to you, Mary, who shared in the work of redemption at the Cross of your Son, you who "are inseparably linked to the work of salvation". Grant that in the exercise of my ministry I may always be aware of the "stupendous and penetrating dimension of your maternal presence", in every moment of my life, in prayer, and action, in joy and sorrow, in weariness and in rest, O "Mother of Trust". Grant, Holy Mother, that in the celebration of the Eucharist, source and center of the priestly ministry, I may live my closeness to him, so that as "we celebrate Holy Eucharist you will be present with us" and introduce us to the redemptive mystery of your divine Son's offering. "O Mediatrix of all grace flowing from this sacrifice to the Church and to all the faithful" O "Mother of Our Savior". O Mary, I earnestly desire to place my person and my desire for holiness under your maternal protection and inspiration so that you may bring me to that "conformity with Christ, Head and Shepherd" which is necessary for the ministry of every parish priest. Make me aware that "you are always close to priests" in your mission of servant of the One Mediator, Jesus Christ, O "Mother of Priests", "Benefactress and Mediatrix" of all graces. Amen