Photograph courtesy of Mary O’Connor, US Region

Mary, undoer of knots
Bring us to freedom and forgiveness.

Mary, Mother of the Earth,
Help us to protect the land, sea and sky.

Mary who said at the wedding “Do what He tells you”
In our time of environmental disaster, open our ears to hear and our hearts to listen to what He tells us to do now.

Womb of the Word,
May we carry Christ to others.

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Take loving care of those in deportation centres.

Liberating Mother,
Free imprisoned women to care for their families.

Mother of immigrants,
Protect those who flee to our shores; let citizenship to opened up to them.

Mary, mother and homemaker,
Be with the homeless, especially women and children.

Mother of the Poor,
Millions are starving.  Help me to understand I have enough.

Fountain of Mercy,
Millions are suffering; I am in comfort; How do I live with that?

Mother of Compassion,
Wake us up to our Sisters and neighbours who need us.

Welcoming Mother,
Deliver us from suspicions and fears that stand in the way of reconciliation.

Practical Mother,
Assist us when we need to find, and remember, and get ready.

Woman forced to move,
Help us live lightly and travel lightly.

Exhausted mother giving birth,
Help women in difficulty with pregnancy or labour.

Mary, friend to St. John,
Extend your wisdom and protection to all our youth tempted by use of guns and violence.

Queen of Peace,
Help the people of Ukraine, and all countries visited by cruel war.

Courageous woman,
Help us stand up to injustice.

Morning Star,
Spread your light on us.

Softness of May rain,
Soften our hearts.

Spring of Kindness,
Rise in us.

Wild air, world mothering air,
Nestle us.

Lighthouse of the ages,
Help us find the way home to our deepest and truest self.

Holy Mary,
Ven con nostros a caminar!  Be with us on the journey!

Mary of the Cosmos,
Watch over us.

Witness to Christ’s love and healing,
Bring us to faith.

Woman who held so much in her heart,
Lead us deeper into silence.

Mother of the Crucified One,
Deliver us from our brokenness.

Mother of the Risen Christ,
Carry us into life.

All the prayers in this litany are prayed – and now shared – by the Sisters of the US Region.  A couple spring from poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins and John O’Donohoe.

US Region