THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys.

Readings Lectures Reflection  The Visitation

First Reading  Zephaniah 3:14-18

 

The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst

Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away.

 

The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp.

 

The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.

 

Responsorial Psalm

Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel

 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who believed

that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.

Alleluia!  Cf. Luke 1:45

 

Gospel  Luke 1 :39-56

 

The Almighty has done great things for me

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

 

And Mary said:

‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.

 

Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

 

He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.

 

He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy according to the promise he made to our ancestors of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

 

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

My Father in heaven, loving Father help me see your hand at work in my life. Father thank you for loving me. Thank you for your loving plan. Thank you for your protection over me. Thank you Father for your goodness in my life. Thank you for fulfiling your plan for the salvation of humanity through the conception of your Son by the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father thank you for Elizabeth's testimony of the coming of your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for coming into our world as an infant. Holy Spirit come dwell in our hearts. 

Father to you be all glory, honor, adoration and thanksgiving through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord, Mother of the Holy Church pray for us your children.

THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys.

Readings Lectures Reflection  

First Reading   Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40

The Lord is God indeed, He and no other

Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before your eyes in Egypt?

‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.’

Responsorial Psalm

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own

Second Reading Romans 8:14-17

The Spirit himself  and our spirit bear united

witness that we are children of God

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.

Gospel Acclamation

            Alleluia, alleluia!

            Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

the God who is, who was, and who is to come.

Alleluia!   cf. R. 1:8

Gospel  Matt. 28:16-20

Go and make disciples of all nations

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit I adore you. Father in heaven grant me the knowledge to understand the Mystery of  You, your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is a mystery beyond human imagination. Father with your Spirit to guide and direct me this mystery will unfold to my deep understanding your love and the sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ to save me from internal condemnation. The knowledge and love of you, the knowledge of Christ love, and the knowledge of the Holy Spirit to teach and direct will be my guide  to my heavenly home where I will behold your glory. 

Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end.  Amen

Lord Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour I trust in you. Holy Mary Mother of Christ pray for us.

THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys. Readings Lectures Reflection 

First reading Ecclesiasticus 51:17-27

Glory be to him who has given me wisdom

I will thank you and praise you,   and bless the name of the Lord. When I was still a youth, before I went travelling,  in my prayers I asked outright for wisdom. Outside the sanctuary I would pray for her,  and to the last I will continue to seek her. From her blossoming to the ripening of her grape  my heart has taken its delight in her. My foot has pursued a straight path,  I have been following her steps ever since my youth. By bowing my ear a little I have received her,   and have found much instruction. Thanks to her I have advanced; the glory be to him who has given me wisdom! For I am determined to put her into practice,   I have earnestly pursued what is good, I will not be put to shame. My soul has fought to possess her, I have been scrupulous in keeping the Law; I have stretched out my hands to heaven  and bewailed my ignorance of her;I have directed my soul towards her,   and in purity have found her.

Responsorial Psalm

The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Let the message of Christ, in all its richness,

find a home with you;

through him give thanks to God the Father.

Alleluia!  cf: Col 3:16a&17

Gospel   Mark   11:27-33

I will not  tel you my authority for acting like this

Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem, and as Jesus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to do these things?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you a question, only one; answer me and I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: did it come from heaven, or from man? Answer me that.’ And they argued it out this way among themselves: ‘If we say from heaven, he will say, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?” But dare we say from man?’ – they had the people to fear, for everyone held that John was a real prophet. So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’

Heavenly father I thank and praise you for my being.  Father give me wisdom. Grant me a humble heart.  All power and authority belong to you. Make me your obedient child in keeping your commandments. Lord Jesus Christ I believe and trust in you. Blessed Virgin Mary Mother, Mother Christ pray for me.

THE LORD TAKES DELIGHT IN HIS PEOPLE

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys. Readings Lectures Reflection  

First Reading Ecclesiasticus 44:1,9-13

Let us praise illustrious men

Let us praise illustrious men,  our ancestors in their successive generations. Some have left no memory,  and disappeared as though they had not existed, they are now as though they had never been,  and so too, their children after them. But here is a list of generous men   whose good works have not been forgotten. In their descendants there remains  a rich inheritance born of them. Their descendants stand by the covenants   and, thanks to them, so do their children’s children. Their offspring will last for ever, their glory will not fade.

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord takes delight in his people

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

I chose you from the world

to go out and bear fruit,

fruit that will last,

says the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel   Mark  11:11-26

The fig tree, the cleasing of the Temple

After he had been acclaimed by the crowds, Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. He looked all round him, but as it was now late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 

Next day as they were leaving Bethany, he felt hungry. Seeing a fig tree in leaf some distance away, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it, but when he came up to it he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs. And he addressed the fig tree. ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again’ he said. And his disciples heard him say this. 

So they reached Jerusalem and he went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling and buying there; he upset the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling pigeons. Nor would he allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple. And he taught them and said, ‘Does not scripture say: My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples? But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’ This came to the ears of the chief priests and the scribes, and they tried to find some way of doing away with him; they were afraid of him because the people were carried away by his teaching. And when evening came he went out of the city. 

Next morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered to the roots. Peter remembered. ‘Look, Rabbi,’ he said to Jesus, ‘the fig tree you cursed has withered away.’ Jesus answered, ‘Have faith in God. I tell you solemnly, if anyone says to this mountain, “Get up and throw yourself into the sea,” with no hesitation in his heart but believing that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. I tell you therefore: everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours. And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too. But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your failings either.’

Heavenly Father thank you, for you take delight in all your creatures.  Thank you Father for you deligh in creation the work of your hands.  Father thank you for your Son Jesus Christ. Father help us your to creatures  to bear good fruits.  May we have reverence for your Holy Place. We give you all the glory, honor and adoration through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.  Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for loving me. Mother Mary, Virgin Mother,  pray for us your children.

MASTER LET ME SEE AGAIN

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys. Readings Lectures Reflection  

First Reading Ecclesiasticus 42:15-26

The work of the Lord is full of his glory

I will remind you of the works of the Lord,   and tell of what I have seen. By the words of the Lord his works come into being   and all creation obeys his will. As the sun in shining looks on all things, so the work of the Lord is full of his glory. The Lord has not granted to the holy ones  to tell of all his marvels which the Almighty Lord has solidly constructed   for the universe to stand firm in his glory. He has fathomed the deep and the heart,   and seen into their devious ways; for the Most High knows all the knowledge there is,   and has observed the signs of the times. He declares what is past and what will be,   and uncovers the traces of hidden things. Not a thought escapes him,   not a single word is hidden from him. He has imposed an order on the magnificent works of his wisdom,   he is from everlasting to everlasting, nothing can be added to him, nothing taken away,  he needs no one’s advice. How desirable are all his works,   how dazzling to the eye! They all live and last for ever, whatever the circumstances all obey him. All things go in pairs, by opposites,   and he has made nothing defective; the one consolidates the excellence of the other,   who could ever be sated with gazing at his glory?

 

Responsorial Psalm

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia!  John 8:12

Gospel  Mark 10:46-52

Go; your faith has saved you

As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Courage,’ they said ‘get up; he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.

 

My Father in heaven, by your words all things came into being and all creation obey your holy will.  We see your glory in the shining sun. We marvel at what you Almighty God has made for by your wisdm the universe stand firm in your glory. Most High God you are the seat of all  knowledge, you control signs of time. Father you are awesome, make me see that I may behold your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, King of eternal glory I turst in you. Virgin Mary Mother of Christ, my Mother pray for me.

THE SON OF MAN CAME TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys. Readings Lectures Reflection Saint Philip Neri

First Reading  Ecclesiasticus 36:1-2,5-7,13-19

 

Lord, let the nations acknowledge you

Have mercy on us, Master, Lord of all, and look on us,  cast the fear of yourself over every nation. Let them acknowledge you, just as we have acknowledged   that there is no God but you, Lord. Send new portents, do fresh wonders,   win glory for your hand and your right arm. Gather together all the tribes of Jacob, restore them their inheritance as in the beginning. Have mercy, Lord, on the people who have invoked your name,   on Israel whom you have treated as a first-born. Show compassion on your holy city,   on Jerusalem the place of your rest. Fill Zion with songs of your praise,   and your sanctuary with your glory. Bear witness to those you created in the beginning,   and bring about what has been prophesied in your name. Give those who wait for you their reward,   and let your prophets be proved worthy of belief. Grant, Lord, the prayer of your servants,   in accordance with Aaron’s blessing on your people, so that all the earth’s inhabitants may acknowledge   that you are the Lord, the everlasting God.

 

Responsorial Psalm

Have mercy on us, Lord, and look on us

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

            The Son of Man came to serve,

            and to give his life as a ransom for many.

            Alleluia! Mark 10:45

Gospel Mark 10:32-45

 

The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many

The disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus was walking on ahead of them; they were in a daze, and those who followed were apprehensive. Once more taking the Twelve aside he began to tell them what was going to happen to him: ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans, who will mock him and spit at him and scourge him and put him to death; and after three days he will rise again.’

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him. ‘Master,’ they said to him ‘we want you to do us a favour.’ He said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I must drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised, but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.’

 

When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John, so Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

Heavenly Father have mercy on us, and look on us. We acknowledge you, for there is no God but you, Lord. Send new portents, do fresh wonders,   win glory for your Holy name. Gather together all your creatures, restore to us your  inheritance as in the beginning. Have mercy Lord for we invoke your most Holy name  

Lord Jesus Christ make my heart like unto thine. Help me serve my fellow creatures. Remove every form of envy from my heart. Lord make me a humble servant.

A HUNDREDFOLD REWARD

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys.

Readings Lectures Reflection.

First reading   Eccle:35:2-15

Give to the Most High as he has given to you

A man multiplies offerings by keeping the Law;   he offers communion sacrifices by following the commandments. By showing gratitude he makes an offering of fine flour,  by giving alms he offers a sacrifice of praise. Withdraw from wickedness and the Lord will be pleased,   withdraw from injustice and you make atonement. Do not appear empty-handed in the Lord’s presence;  for all these things are due under the commandment. A virtuous man’s offering graces the altar,  and its savior rises before the Most High. A virtuous man’s sacrifice is acceptable,  its memorial will not be forgotten.  

Honour the Lord with generosity,  do not stint the first-fruits you bring. Add a smiling face to all your gifts,   and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford; for the Lord is a good rewarder,   he will reward you seven times over. Offer him no bribe, he will not accept it,  do not put your faith in an unvirtuous sacrifice; since the Lord is a judge   who is no respecter of personages.

 Responsorial Psalm

I will show God’s Salvation to the upright

Gosple Accalmation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom

to mere children.

Alleluia!  Matt: 11:25

Gospel     Mark 10:28-32

Whoever has left everything for the sake of the gospel will be repaid

At that time Peter began to tell Jesus, ‘What about us? We have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – not without persecutions – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.   ‘Many who are first will be last, and the last first.’  

My loving Father in heaven in obeying your commandments is like you are asking too much frm me. Then  my Father it is for my preservation, and salvation.  My offering to you my Father in heaven is my sacrifice of praise to you for your loving kindness, for your goodness, for your love and for your mercy.  

I offer myself to you Lord. Help me live a virtuous life. Give me a generous and a cheerful heart. Father your reward is a hundredfold for you Lord is a judge who is no respecter of personages. Lord  Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Master I have given up my pride. I desire to follow you. 

Thank you for loving me, Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. irgin Mary pray for me.

MARY MOTHER OF THE CHCURCH

MARY MOTHER OF CHIRST MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYER AFTER MASS

Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys.

Readings Lectures Reflection 

First Reading  Genesis 3:9-15,20

The Mother of all those who live

After Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard thesound of you in the garden;’ he replied ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’

Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this,

 

Be accursed beyond all cattle,

all wild beasts.

You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust

every day of your life.

I will make you enemies of each other:

you and the woman,

your offspring and her offspring.

It will crush your head

and you will strike its heel.’

 

The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.

Responsorial Psalm

Of you are told glorious things, O city of God!

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Happy are you, holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise,

for from you arose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

Alleluia!

Gospel   John 19:25-34

Behold your mother, Behold your Mother

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.

After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the scripture perfectly he said, ‘I am thirsty.’ 

A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth. After Jesus had taken the vinegar he said, ‘It is accomplished’; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit. 

It was Preparation Day, and to prevent the bodies remaining on the cross during the sabbath – since that sabbath was a day of special solemnity – the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away. Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water.

Heavenly Father I thank you for your mercy and love.  I thank you for fulfling your promise of salvation to all mankind through Jesus Christ your Son.  A mother is one who gives life. Father I thank you for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of your Son Jesus Christ. 

Father, at the foot of the cross your Son Jesus Christ, gave His beloved Mother to the  beloved Apostle John, and she became the Mother of all who belive in your Son. Mother to all who have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour. My Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ thank you for the gift of your Mother. May I  appreciate your her as my mother. Help me understand her role as the Mother of the Church, and the gift a mother can bestow upon her children.  

We children take our earthly mothers for granted, and their motherly love.  Lord Jesus Christ help  me  understand the role of your Mother  and her love for us who believe in you.  Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Christ, my Mother pray for me.  

Fading Still

As the Dewy Shades

Hail Thous Star of Ocean