On March 25th 2020, the feast of the Annunciation, Ireland was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Prayers were led in Armagh Cathedral by the primate of All-Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin. The prayers were also offered at the same time in churches across Ireland including St Peter's Cathedral in Belfast where Bishop Noel Treanor presided.
Fr Damian led the prayers in our parish and parishioners were able to join in the prayers below through a live stream on Facebook.
ACT OF CONSECRATION OF IRELAND
TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
FOR PROTECTION FROM THE CORONAVIRUS
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
25 March 2020
12 noon
The Act begins with the recitation of The Angelus.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc...
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word.
Hail Mary, etc...
V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc...
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,
your Son by the message of an angel,
so by His passion and cross
we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The First Joyful Mystery of the Rosary: The Annunciation of the Lord
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Health of the Sick, at this time of great challenge to our country from the coronavirus, we consecrate to Jesus through your Immaculate Heart:
ourselves, our family, the members of our parish and Diocese, and the people of Ireland.
O Mary, Queen of Ireland, when you appeared at Knock, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and brought them comfort in a time of sorrow.
Be with us now as a sign of salvation and hope, as we entrust ourselves to your loving care. We renew the promises of our Baptism and Confirmation and ask your intercession that we may be always faithful to Christ and to His Church.
Bring under your mantle of protection all those who are suffering because of the coronavirus, and those who care for the sick and minister to their needs, as your Son implores us to do for one another.
O Loving Mother, at the foot of the Cross, with steadfast faith, your Immaculate Heart was pierced by grief at the suffering of your Son. You know what we need during these difficult days. Help us, O Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us - He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.
O Blessed Mother, Our Life, our Sweetness and Our Hope, we wish that this Consecration be for the glory of God and that it lead us safely to Jesus your Son.