America Reconsecrated!

In a highly significant gesture of solidarity and Marian Devotion, Bishops in the USA and Canada "reconsecrated" their respective countries today (May 1st, 2020) to our most holy and sovereign queen - the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This was done in the hope of finally crushing the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.  

In the USA, the reconsecration (the very first Marian consecration was in 1792) was headed by Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles in the city's cathedral.  All our country's bishops, priests, and laity were invited to pray along with Archbishop Gomez, as he commended the USA and all its inhabitants to Our Lady's powerful protection.

I post below the text of the main body of the consecration prayer that was tailored for individual use.  Let us, Americans, pray it together to defeat the outbreak that's currently wreaking havoc not just in the USA and Canada, but throughout the whole world. 

PRAYER OF RENEWAL OF OUR CONSECRATION
TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, you are the fairest fruit of God’s redeeming love; you sing of the Father’s mercy and accompany us with a mother’s love.   In this time of pandemic we come to you, our sign of sure hope and comfort.  Today we renew the act of consecration and entrustment carried out by those who have gone before us.

With the love of a Mother and Handmaid, embrace us as we renew our consecration to you, together with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

In a special way we commend to you those particularly in need of your maternal care:

• Mary, Health of the Sick, sign of health, of healing, and of divine hope for the sick, we entrust to you all who are infected with the coronavirus.

• Mary, Mother of Consolation, who console with a mother’s love all who turn to you, we entrust to you all those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.

• Mary, Help of Christians, who come to our rescue in every trial, we entrust to your loving protection all caregivers.

• Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy, who embrace all those who call upon your help in their distress, we entrust to you all who are suffering in any way from the pandemic.

• Mary, Seat of Wisdom, who were so wonderfully filled with the light of truth, we entrust to you all who are working to find a cure to this pandemic.

• Mary, Mother of Good Counsel, who gave yourself wholeheartedly to God’s plan for the renewing of all things in Christ, we entrust to you all leaders and policymakers.

Accept with the benevolence of a Mother the act of consecration that we make today with confidence, and help us to be your Son’s instruments for the healing and salvation of our country and the world.

Mary, Mother of the Church, you are enthroned as queen at your Son’s right hand: we ask your intercession for the needs of our country, that every desire for good may be blessed and strengthened, that faith may be revived and nourished, hope sustained and enlightened, charity awakened and animated; guide us, we pray, along the path of holiness.

Mary our Mother, bring everyone under your protection and entrust everyone to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Mary, Refuge of the Faithful,
pray for us!

(original artwork from the
Guadalupe House Art Gallery)