Mary Sullivan

Dear Mother of Jesus and our Mother too,
we turn to you now, in this year that is new.
We pray to you daily, and offer you all,
Especially on this day your Solemnity falls.

As you brought us hope, through the birth of our Savior
Bring us His love.  Grant us this favor.
May this be the year that right from the start
We see the triumph of your Immaculate Heart.

Lead us to your Son.  To our sins, may we die.
Crush satan now with grace from on high.
Free us from distractions, free us from diversions,
Free us and our loved ones.  Bring forth conversions.

As you brought Christ to all, at the time of His birth.
Bring forth in our loved ones, their true value and worth.
May peace at last reign, in our hearts and on earth.
May our hearts be for Christ, a warm place of berth.

Pray for us, turn towards us with your gentle nod,
On this your Solemnity, dear Mother of God.
Bring forth your Son, for all to see,
That the Truth of Christ, may set us all free.

Lord, may we love each other, in the way that You love us.
May we love You as You love the Father, as in You we trust.
Each of Your commandments, may we now and always keep.
Over sins for which You grieve, may we too grieve and weep.

Lord Jesus, if in Your love, we can but remain,
We will bear fruit for You, though sometimes through much pain.
What his Master is about, a slave may have no clue.
But You teach us the truths the Father spoke to You.

And that is why Lord Jesus, upon You we so depend.
You no longer call us slaves.  You call us Your friends.
As we defend Your truths, as we lift Your truthful sword.
May we love You Master, as You love us, gracious Lord.

May the love which You have shown us, pierce our hardened hearts.
May loving others with Your love be our goal from the start.
Show us how to give that love, to loved ones gone astray.
May they receive Your love, through our steadfast love today.

Fill them with Your love, dear Lord.  Reveal Yourself as friend.
Let them know that they can trust You.  On You they can depend.
May they rest in Your strong arms.  You alone, may they adore.
May they love You Master, as You love them, gracious Lord.

(Based on John 15:9-17)

Baby Jesus in the manger, so precious and so new.
Mother Mary, could we hold Him, for just a moment or two?
Could we glimpse His peaceful face, and His cherub nose?
Could we maybe, for a minute, tickle Baby’s toes?

Could we hold Him holy Mary, hold Him for a while—
Perhaps spy on His baby face, a loving, tender smile.
Show us how dear Mother, to comfort Your Infant new.
Show us how to bring Him comfort, as only you know how to do.

We can comfort Baby Jesus, as we give Him adulation.
There are things that we can do for Him, which bring Him consolation.
We can follow what He said, hear all that He taught.
We can give our life to Him, by Whom, at a price, our life He bought.

Is this true dear Mother Mary, could it be that maybe,
To hold His truths, within our hearts, is to gently hold your baby?

Mary set out in those days,
She traveled in such haste,
Set off to greet Elizabeth,
There was no time to waste.

Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
As Mary entered the room,
The infant leaped with joy,
Within Mary’s cousin’s womb.

She cried out in a loud voice,
The scriptures do attest:
Blessed are you among women.
The fruit of your womb is blessed.

Then she asked the question,
Just how could this be,
That the mother of my Lord,
Should come unto me?

May we bring the Lord to the sick,
to those who are in need.
May Mary show us how to plant,
in souls, true Christian seeds.

As Mary visited her cousin,
May Mary go to those we love,
May she bring Christ into their lives,
With grace from up above.

May loved ones sense the Lord,
Know He is truly there.
May they bow down before Him.
May they give to Him their cares.

Dear Father in heaven,
Loved ones’ souls, take care, and tend.
Please send to all our loved ones
Good and holy friends.