EASTER ACTS OF CONSECRATION TO MARY

To be prayed at the beginning of each prayer below: Leader: Let us commend ourselves and all people to the love and protection of the Mother of God. All: Holy Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, intercede for us with the Lord our God. Leader: God who is mighty has done great things for us. All: And holy is God's name. Leader: Let us pray:

Mary, On this, the Lord's Day, We celebrate with joy the fulfillment of the miracle God began in your womb. He became what we are So that we might become what he is. He is Risen, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. He reigns as Lord and God forever. In your marveling at the great things the Mighty One worked in you, We find our own awe at being chosen sons (and daughters) of God, Of being empowered to become a nation of saints, Of being commissioned to bear Christ to the world. With you as our companion and model, May God bring this good work to completion And may our dedication to you of all that we have and are Bring us to share in your blessedness. Amen.

Mary, God has worked a great wonder: Jesus is risen! No longer are we caught in the cords of death, For he has loosened our bonds. No longer need we walk in fear, For he has become our strong hope. No longer are we alone and estranged, For he has called us friends. May your faith in the face of death–even death on the cross, May your hope–almost buried with him in the tomb, May your love–nearly staunched by the fear of his disciples, May your joy in the Resurrected Savior be ours this day, As we, in your name for your honor, live out our Easter mission To go forth and teach all peoples. Amen

Mary, We, your sons (and daughters) Look to you as we treasure and ponder The Rising of Jesus–your Son and our brother. Teach us how that marvelous moment can topple the proud, Elevate the lowly, feed the hungry, And mission the rich–even today. Confident in God's power and love, Trusting in the Risen Lord, Relying on the Promised Advocate, The Spirit of Life and of Truth, We dedicate our lives, in your name and for your honor To the transforming power of Easter. Amen

Mary, In the brilliant light of Easter, Teach us, too, that nothing is impossible with God. All our struggles with self and others, All our disappointments and shames, All our failures and sinfulness Are as nothing in this healing, life-giving light. Accept, then, our all. May God look upon it, As once did the Mighty One upon our lowliness, So that we might be gifted with that blessedness Promised to all sons and daughters of the Resurrection. Amen

Mary, We sing our Alleluias today, for Jesus is risen. Our souls proclaim the greatness of God, Our spirits rejoice in our Risen Savior. May your song be sung in our lives At every moment of this day so that God's power, Which can do far more than we can ask or imagine, May continue to call life from death and light from darkness, Transforming our meager efforts Into your Son's victory over death. Amen

Mary, The cross of death has become the Tree of Life, and we rejoice. God has sent forth the Spirit, And the world quickens to life anew. Jesus is risen! Teach us no more to fear the sword of division and death; Teach us to welcome Jesus, the sign of contradiction, And to lay bare the thoughts of our hearts To the healing light of Easter. Then, in your name and for your honor, We will live in the Paschal Mystery Today and, with you, see it fulfilled On the day of Resurrection. Amen

Mary, We ask for your powerful presence this day, Just as you shared it With the frightened disciples in the Upper Room. Teach us, as you did them, to rely upon God's promises, Upon our brother and Lord, Jesus, and Upon the Advocate and Comforter, The Spirit of Life and Love and Truth. May we live as you did, in strong hope and invicible confidence. And be transformed by the power of the Resurrection Into true hearers and doers of God's will. Amen