Mary is in the heart of the Church, reminding each of us what it is to be a Christian. Above all, Mary reminds us of what it is to live a Christian life. It is not an idea, Often people present Christianity as a good way of life, with lots of good notions in it which help you live your life well. But Mary is there to remind us that at the heart of Christianity there is a relationship. Jesus says "there is your son, there is your daughter", and he says to us "there is your mother" to remind us of that relationship. The presence of Mary is a guarantee that the following of Christ is not just an idea, but that at the heart of the Church is a relationship. Mary took all the sufferings of Jesus and all the pain of her own sorrow and she treasured them in her heart.

THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

A NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love,
heart of mercy, ever listening, caring,
consoling, hear our prayer. As your children,
we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son.
Receive with understanding and compassion,
the petitions we place before you today,
especially.........(special intention).
We are comforted in knowing your heart,
is ever open to those who ask for your prayer.
We trust to your gentle care and intercession,
those whom we love and are sick,
or lonely or hurting.
Help all of us, Holy Mother,
to bear our burdens in this life until we,
may share eternal life and peace with God,
forever, Amen.

MEMORARE

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who sought your protection,
or sought your intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence I come to you,
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
hear my prayer.
Amen

DEDICATION TO MARY, OUR MOTHER

Pray for us,
Holy Mother of God.
Pray for us,
whatever be our cross,
as we pass along our way.
Pray for us,
and we shall rise again,
though we have fallen.
Pray for us,
when sorrow, anxiety or sickness,
comes upon us.
Pray for us,
when we are prostrate,
under the power of temptation.

(Cardinal John Henry Newman)

MARY HELP OF THOSE IN NEED

Holy Mary
help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God's people
assist the clergy,
intercede for religious.
Mary all who seek your help,
give them the experience of your
unfailing protection.
Amen.

O VIRGIN MOTHER

O Virgin Mother.
In the depths of your heart,
you pondered the life of the Son,
you brought into this world.
Give us the vision of Jesus and ask the Father,
to open our hearts,
that we may see His presence in our lives,
and in the power of the Holy Spirit,
bring us into the joy and peace
of the Kingdom,
where Jesus is Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.

Preferably to be used before the Holy Eucharist
Or Healing Service.

All are seated. The Priest or Group Leader says:

Let us rise in thought to the unity manifesting through diversity. Feel deeply the love that unites all in oneness, for ‘Closer is He than breathing, nearer than hands or feet’.

The Leader recites aloud slowly;

Holy Lady Mary, pattern of spotless purity, before whose splendour the Angels bow low in adoration, before whose goodness all men are good, hail to thee, chosen Mother of our Lord.

Pause and visualise the Holy Lady Mary, The Leader continues;

Reverently we offer thee praise and adoration. Devoutly we ask that our lives may be blessed by thy sanctifying presence. Make pure our hearts with thine immaculate purity. Make strong our minds with thy heavenly glory.

Bless our souls with thy radiant love.

Pause.

Let us think of ourselves as forming an invisible chalice.

O Most Perfect Mother, we thy children open ourselves to thy compassionate love. We ask for guidance that we may be pure vessels for thy healing power, channels of thine infinite tenderness, a chalice for thy divine grace. Thus may we bring succor to those distressed in mind or body in thy holy name. Amen.

This short meditation may be used before or after the service of the Holy Eucharist.

We bow in homage and adoration to thee, Mother of God, Queen of the Heavens, Star of the Sea, Guardian of Humanity; we greet thee and thine Angel hosts, shedding beauty and blessing among men and nature; may we serve thee in our fellow men.

Holy Lady Mary, Mother of the world, Queen of Love and Compassion, with all our hearts we pour out our love and devotion at Thy feet; and we offer ourselves as channels of thy Wondrous tenderness, as agents of Thy ever-ready help.

We pray Thee to use us in Thy holy work, that we may grow to be like Thee our Glorious Mother.

O holy Mother, Queen of our hearts, we dedicate our lives to thy service. Ave Maria.

Priest: The earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep:

During the following sentence the two small candles on the tabernacle are lit, first the left one.

P. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters;

During the next sentence the second Ray candle is lit:

P. And God said; Let there be Light. And there was Light.

The other six Ray candles are lit during the words:

P. And there were Seven Lamps of Fire burning before the throne, the Seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was a sea made of glass, like unto crystal.

The four candles on the altar cloth are lit;

P. And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne were four Living Creatures, full of eyes before and behind, not resting night nor day.

After a moment of silence the server withdraws, and the priest moves to his place in front of the altar steps and the Service of the Holy Eucharist begins.

The service having ended, the priest goes to his seat in the choir. The server who is going to extinguish the candles stands below the altar steps, in the centre.

P. The Sacrifice of God is mirrored in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. When the mighty scheme of evolution has come to fruition, and God’s plan has been fulfilled, creation comes to an end.

The server ascends the footpace and extinguishes the four candles on the altar.

P. The four Living Creatures, the Guardians of the Law, and their fiery hosts vanish again into the Fire of God.

During the following sentence the seven Ray candles are extinguished;

P. The Seven Spirits of God and their angel hosts merge into the Light of Light.

Then the two small candles on the tabernacle are extinguished:

P. And man perfected returns to his Father’s home in transcendental bliss.

The server moves to the altar of Our Lady, and extinguishes the two candles there:

P. The whole of Creation has then returned into the silence of the All-One.

After some minutes of complete silence, the procession is formed and a hymn is sung while the procession moves out.