Scottish Catholic Observer

Bishops, priests and people from across the country will be in attendance when Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, leads the Act of Consecration during the annual Novena to Our Lady of Knock.

The two-year campaign for the consecration has involved 13.5 million rosaries being prayed for the Irish bishops as part of a National Rosary Rally and the group has organised supportive letters to be sent to the Irish bishops.

“In his recent encyclical for the Year of Faith, Pope Francis invited us to turn to Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of our Faith,” Cardinal Brady said: “I am very pleased that the Irish Catholic Bishops decided at their June meeting to consecrate Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I am looking forward to being at our National Shrine in Knock on the August 15 to ask Mary’s maternal blessing on the people of Ireland.

“The Feast of the Assumption is one of the biggest days of the year in Knock, with bishops, priests and people present for the opening of the Novena. I invite the people of Ireland to come along to Knock on the day or to join in this beautiful devotional act by praying the prayer of entrustment in their homes and parish churches.”

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Cooadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, will be the principal celebrant and preacher at the Mass on that day.

In a statement, the bishops said today: “As the universal Church is currently celebrating a Year of Faith, it is fitting that the Act of Consecration calls to mind the woman of faith par excellence and asks for her prayers for the people of this country.”

The National Centre for Liturgy has assisted in drawing up the text to be used in the Consecration.

Prayer for the Act of Consecration

Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Refuge of Sinners, we entrust and consecrate ourselves, our family, our home and our Dioceses to Jesus through your Immaculate Heart. As your children, we promise to follow your example in our lives by doing at all times the will of God.

O Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, we renew today the promises of our Baptism and Confirmation. Intercede for us with the Holy Spirit that we may be always faithful to your Divine Son, to his Mystical Body, the Catholic Church, and to the teachings of his Vicar on earth, our Holy Father the Pope.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Queen and our Mother, we promise to uphold the sanctity of marriage and the welfare of the family. Watch over our minds and hearts and preserve our youth from dangers to the faith and the many temptations that threaten them in the world today.

We ask you, Mary our Advocate to intercede with your divine Son. Obtain for our country the grace to uphold the uniqueness of every human life, from the first moment of conception to natural death.

O Blessed Mother, Our Life, our Sweetness and Our Hope, we wish that this Consecration be for the great glory of God and that it lead us safely to Jesus your Son.

A Naomh-Mhuire, a Mháthair Dé, guigh orainn na peacaigh, anois agus ar uair ár mbáis.

Amen.

—This prayer has been approved for use by the National Centre for Liturgy and by Cardinal Seán Brady.

—For more information visit Steering Committee for the National Consecration of Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, click here.