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Parish Dedication Prayer
In addition to the individual enthronement/consecration prayers which the people are led in saying on an Enthronement Weekend, we make available to the Pastor what is called a “Parish Dedication Prayer”. This is a wonderful way to place the entire PARISH under the care of Jesus and Mary.
The following is a powerful example of how the Parish Dedication Prayer was used at one parish.
After a wonderful homily centered on the Eucharist (the parish was in the midst of its 40 Hours Devotion), the Pastor went to the altar with the Assistant Pastor, and began talking about the need for healing. I found out later that this was a scheduled Healing Mass. The Pastor talked about the need that people have for not only physical healing but also emotional healing. He also talked about the need for healing for hurts brought about by the abuse scandal that has rocked our Church. He then invited all those who needed healing in any way to rise. He extended his hands and said the healing prayers. The same people were then asked to come forward in two lines and the Pastor or his assistant blessed each person with holy oil. They would dip their thumb in the oil and trace the Sign of the Cross on each person's head and the palms of each hand. It was very moving as people waited to be prayed over with spiritual music being softly played on the piano in the background. Some of the people were very (but quietly) emotional as they waited in line. Like the young women who was obviously pregnant who stepped up to the Pastor with tears streaming down her face. After he blessed her and then the baby in her womb, he reached around his right arm (his left was holding the dish) and embraced her and held her for a good 30 seconds. Each person would receive some loving touch, depending on what was called for, whether it be a hand on the cheek, a squeeze on the arm or an embrace. I was thankful that I did not have to speak until much later, because I would not have been able to say much at that point (too choked up).
After all that the Pastor then went to the lectern and announced that I would be speaking after Communion on Home Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. However he then said that he would like to take this opportunity to dedicate the entire parish AND HIS PRIESTHOOD, to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He then went over to where we had set up the pictures of Jesus and Mary on an easel and knelt in front of the pictures and said, "I kneel and submit myself in my priesthood and our entire parish to the care of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary". He then proceeded to recite the Parish Dedication Prayer. His sincerity, along with the words of the Parish Dedication I am sure helped bring many wonderful graces down upon the parish.
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Stories of the Journey |
