# Consecrating a Child to Mary, Mother of God
*2016-01-01*

> Bill Young leads a prayer of consecration, offering a child to Mary, Mother of God, and asks for her protection and guidance throughout the child's life.

## Opening Blessing

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young, welcome to Prayer and Lunch. I hope you had a happy New Year's Eve and a blessed New Year's Day.

## Scriptural Basis

We turn to the Gospel of John, where, near the cross, Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister—Mary of Cappel and Mary of Magdala—were present. Seeing his mother and the disciples he loved, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, this is your son,” and to the disciples, “This is your mother.” From that hour the disciples took her into their home.

## Prayer of Consecration

Let us turn to Mary, Mother of God, Mother of the Church, and ask her to receive as her own the child we now consecrate. 

O Mary, Mother of God and our mother, accept your children, the pilgrims in this sanctuary, and present our prayers to the Lord with confidence. We thank the Lord for the gift of this child, who has brought joy to our family. We have consecrated him or her to you and, through you, to your only Son, our Savior. We entrust this child to your protection, that he or she may grow healthy and be preserved from all evil on the journey of life. May he or she live according to the promises of baptism and remain faithful to them. Together with this child we consecrate ourselves, our families, our freedom, and our hearts to you, that we may be more faithful to Christ than before. Watch over this child, as you watched over the Child of Jesus, guiding him or her along the path of faithfulness to the Gospel. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, may he or she become a witness to Christ in the world, spreading joy and fraternity, and may they ultimately reach the glory of the Father in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

## Closing Blessing

God bless you all, and again, have a happy New Year.

*May Mary’s maternal care accompany every child consecrated to her, leading them to a life of faithful witness.*