composed by Barry Norris, Co-ordinating Team member
The Annunciation
Mary conceives the God-child by the power of the Holy Spirit: thus begins the age when the Spirit is poured on all humankind. We pray for a Church in which all people are treated as equals because all are temples of the Spirit; a Church in which every person’s gifts are respected and used, and where all decisions are shared.
The Visitation
Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth, to talk about their two pregnancies. The unborn John the Baptist greets the unborn Jesus. The dialogue between the two women reminds us that dialogue among the whole people of God is a necessity for a healthy Church. John grows up to be a thorn in the side of corrupt religious leaders. We pray that we may have the courage to speak out like him.
The Nativity
Mary gives birth to Jesus in a borrowed room. Like all the poor, she
and Joseph have to make do. We pray for the eradication of homelessness and poverty. We
pray that the Church will always be found on the side of the poor rather than the rich and
powerful. Mary’s nurturing love is very necessary in today’s world. May the
Church use the gifts which women bring so that it becomes inclusive and accepting, and so
more authentically faithful to the Gospel. The Presentation As Jesus is presented in the Temple, Mary is told that a sword of
sorrow will pierce her heart. We pray for all parents who grieve at the unjust treatment
of family and friends; for all whose loved ones have been victims of imprisonment and
torture and for all who have watched their children die of starvation. We remember the
parents of priests and religious who have seen their children’s lives blighted by the
repressive regime of the Church. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple Mary and Joseph could not understand what Jesus was doing, talking to
the learned men of the Law. They were overawed by their own religious leaders. We pray
that lay people may awaken to their own unique gifts of the Spirit and so not be afraid to
talk to their bishops as of right: no more as little children to their fathers, no more as
difficult teenagers, but as adults to adults in an adult Church.
The Agony in the Garden
Jesus fought with his conscience in the garden. At this stage he could have run away and escaped his fate. He chose to stay and thus brought about the salvation of the world. We pray for a Church which affirms the primacy of the individual person’s conscience in the making of moral decisions. We also pray for all those who feel conscience-bound to fight for human rights in the Church.
The Scourging
Jesus is given an unfair trial and is sentenced to be flogged and crucified. A cowardly governor is hoodwinked by a corrupt priesthood. We pray that the hierarchy of the Church will always act with integrity and truth and never be unduly influenced and compromised by the secular powers. We remember all those who have suffered because of unfair trials, especially for theologians and other writers who are persecuted by Church leaders.
The Crowning with Thorns
The body of Jesus is tortured by the soldiers, obsessed with cruelty. In degrading Jesus they degrade themselves and their own bodies. We pray that all will honour the body and the God-given gift of sexuality. We pray for Church which affirms this, but avoids obsession with sexual morality and which acknowledges everyone their human rights, sexual orientation and marital status. We pray for all who suffer physical, sexual or mental abuse of any kind, especially for those who have suffered at the hands of anyone in authority.
The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus carries the sins of the world to the cross. He also carries the pain of all who are treated in a negative way because they are homosexual or lesbian, divorced, or have left the active priesthood or religious life. We pray for a Church which affirms everyone.
The Crucifixion
Jesus dies on the Cross, his open arms enfolding all people of all ages. May your Church, O God, reach out in love to all people, assisting all to live without guilt and fear, and support, encourage and work for reconciliation and justice. The women stand and weep, watch and pray. Be with all women who can only do the same in the midst of extreme violence and brutality. Give us all courage and hope to persevere in our dedication to the same divine-human cause, even when the forces against it seem insurmountable.
The Resurrection
We praise God for the glorious Resurrection of His Son. Mary Magdalene was the first to see the Risen Lord and to worship Him. A patriarchal Church has long denied Mary Magdalene her proper position. We pray for a Church with a new attitude to women, so that they have access to leadership and sacramental ministries, including the ministerial priesthood and the episcopate.
The Ascension
At the Ascension we celebrate Jesus as our Prophet, our Priest and our King. He is our one and only priest. We pray for a Church with a re-evaluated priesthood, so that the priesthood of all the baptised is acclaimed, so that both celibacy and marriage are optional and so that there are clear codes of conduct for those in authority.
Pentecost
We rejoice with Mary, the Apostles and all the Church in Jerusalem as they receive the Holy Spirit. We pray for the renewal of the Church, which can only come through the operation of the Spirit, as of a second Pentecost. We remember that God gives his gifts to all the baptised and so all are qualified to share in decisions in the parish, diocese and universal Church. We pray for that next General Council which must come in God’s time.
The Death of the Mother of Christ and her Assumption into Heaven
At your death, Mary, you surrendered yourself to God’s will as you did at the Angel’s message. Help us all to accept God’s will for ourselves, so that we may be Godbearers to our generation. Help us by your prayers to follow your path of gentle love and witness; that the way of the Church may be one of gentleness and love.
The Coronation of the Mother of Christ
In this mystery we remember that we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses" - the saints in heaven. As we work for a more open and affirming Church; a Church of love; a Church with a new attitude to women; a Church with a re-evaluated priesthood and a Church which is mature, we ask Our Lady and the saints to assist us in this work by their prayers for us.