Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the beautiful vocation of motherhood and the gift of life. It calls us to cherish the gift of life that we receive from our mothers and to pray for all women to whom God has entrusted life in a very special way. As we pray in thanksgiving for the gift of all mothers, we also specifically remember mothers experiencing difficult pregnancies and pray they may find support and encouragement in choosing life for their children.
PERSONAL TRIBUTES FOR OUR MOTHERS
Thankfulness for a mother who cared to bring me into this world, trying to teach me the best and suffering much. –Joan Suggs
For Bernadette Nansuubuga, may God rest her soul in eternal peace. –Father Pontian
Prayers for Pat Mesmer (John’s mom) and Diana Brang (my mom). –The Mesmer’s
In memory of Anna Mae Reskovac Mikovich. While your footsteps are not heard your presence is always with me. You are loved. –Mary A. Gubanc
Marilyn Cummings – Thank you for the gift of life, my Catholic faith, and all of the love you gave me. I love and miss you. –Sr. Marie Blanchette, O.P.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER FOR MOTHER’S DAY
For all mothers, that they may be supported and encouraged in their special vocation of love,
For all mothers awaiting the birth of their children, that the Lord protect them and bring their babies to safe delivery,
That all might treasure and support God’s plan for life and love,
For all married couples struggling to have a child, that the Lord grant them peace as they hope for the gift of a son or a daughter,
For all mothers, that their children will honor their many sacrifices by lives of service and virtue,
For all those longing to welcome a child through adoption, may the Lord guide their journey to parenthood and grant them peace along the way,
For mothers facing unexpected pregnancies, that they may find strength and courage in the example of our Blessed Mother,
For mothers who mourn the loss of a child, that they may find peace and consolation in the hope of eternal life.
LITANY TO MARY, MOTHER OF LIFE
(The response is: O Mary, pray for us.)
Mary, Mother of all Life,
help us to respect human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. R.
Mary, Mother of Compassion,
You showed us how valuable a single life can be; Help us to guard and protect the lives of all people entrusted to our care. R.
Mary, Mother of the Child Jesus,
with St. Joseph you formed the Holy Family. Guard and protect all families in this earthly life; R.
Mary, Mother Most Holy,
You sanctified the vocation of motherhood; Pour out your heavenly aid on all mothers and help them to be holy. R.
Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
Simeon’s prophecy foretold that a sword of suffering would pierce your heart; Bring comfort and hope to all mothers who suffer over their children. R.
Mary, Full of Grace,
You had a choice in responding to God’s call; Help us always to say “Yes” to the will of God in our lives, And strive always to do whatever he tells us. R.
Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted,
Pour forth your heavenly grace on all who are in need of God’s healing, Especially those involved in abortion; Help them to experience the love and mercy of Christ, your Son. R.
Mary, Intercessor and Advocate,
We lift up the poor, the displaced, the marginalized and vulnerable members of society; Help them to never abandon hope, but to place their trust in the God who gave them life. R.
Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate,
you bore in your womb him whom the heavens cannot contain; Help us to bear witness to Christ by the example of our lives And show the world the extravagant love of God. R.
All:
Remember, o most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer them. Amen.
The Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities wishes to thank Kathy Jones for permission to reprint the “Litany to Mary, Mother of Life.” Excerpted from 2009-2010 Respect Life Program Liturgy Guide © 2009, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.