Marian Prayer Service

(This prayer service, prepared by Area Justice and Peace committee members in Bangladesh, is suitable for Lent and for International Women’s Day.)

Also available as a downloadable 257 KB - PDF file.

Theme: Women of the Eucharist

The Church is currently observing the Year of the Eucharist (October 2004 to October 2005). Pope John Paul II has addressed an Apostolic Letter to the entire Church that begins with the words: “Mane Nobiscum Domine – Stay with us, Lord” (Luke 24:29). He concludes his letter saying: “In this Year of Grace sustained by Mary, may the Church discover new enthusiasm for her mission and come to acknowledge ever more fully that the Eucharist is the source and summit of her life.”

Mary is a woman of the Eucharist. The Church, which looks to Mary as a model, is also called to imitate her in her relationship with this most holy mystery. Mary lived her Eucharistic faith even before the institution of the Eucharist, by the very fact that she offered her virginal womb for the Incarnation of God’s Word.

In this Year of the Eucharist, there could be nothing more fitting than pledging to live the Eucharistic ethos at every moment as Mary did. God’s presence touches our lives at every moment. If we surrender to this presence in our lives, Jesus will become our true Bread of Life for the transformation of the world.

Let us reflect on the events of Mary’s life. Mary supported Jesus as he called the people of his time to act with justice. Jesus also calls each of us to act justly and courageously in our own lives.

As we pray, please remember the needs of the people of Asia, especially those in southern India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, who continue to suffer the effects of the tsunami. We pray in a special way for those who have lost family members and friends as a result of this tragedy.

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