Novena Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church
October 4-14, 2018

Mary, Mother of the Church,
we stand before you
shaken by the scandal and division
in the Church that we love.
We pray for victims of abuse,
whose trust was betrayed
and whose innocence was shattered
by members of the clergy.
We pray for those whose suffering was ignored
and for those who were silenced or disbelieved.
 
We pray for Church leaders,
that by putting the needs of the vulnerable first,
by acting with transparency,
and by always holding themselves
accountable to God and to the People of God
they may regain the trust that has been broken.
 
We pray for ourselves,
that the darkness and confusion we feel
may give way to light.
May we find the way to justice,
unity, healing, and hope,
through your Son, Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
 
Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Mary, comfort of the troubled, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

 
Image: The Mother of Sorrows. St. James Cathedral, Seattle.