# Consecration to the Pilgrim Virgin Mary of Graces
*2016-12-12*

> Bill Young reflects on Advent week three, shares a prayer of consecration to the Virgin Mary, and honors St. Lucy on her feast day, while asking listeners to pray for his family.

## Personal Updates and Prayer Requests

Good morning, this is Bill Young. Today is Tuesday, the third week of Advent, December 13. Yesterday was my 64th birthday, and I received many kind messages on Facebook. My sister Gail from Pennsylvania called last night and asked us to pray that she remains out of the hospital for the rest of the year. Please keep her in your prayers. My son returned to his home in Orlando, and we had a wonderful weekend together, discussing his faith journey. Please also pray for him as he seeks God. My brother Tim from Winnipeg will be visiting the first week of January, and we hope to catch a Florida Panthers hockey game together.

## Pope Francis on Building a Better World

Pope Francis reminds us of Psalm 37:8: “For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones.” He teaches that faith is never merely private; it calls us to influence society, to care for civil institutions, and to offer a moral voice on public matters. Our faith should inspire us to leave the world a little better than we found it, caring for our common home and for all of humanity. The Church must not stay on the sidelines in the fight for justice. All Christians are called to work for a better world, offering hope rooted in the loving heart of Jesus Christ.

## Consecration to the Pilgrim Virgin Mary of Graces

Let us now pray the Consecration to the Pilgrim Virgin Mary of Graces.

Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the universe, consoler of the afflicted and comfort of the sick, you who crushed the head of the evil serpent, keep every harmful influence far from my soul. Free my family from physical and moral evil. Do not allow Satan to enter our home and sow confusion or break our family. O Mary, you overcame infernal power; I take refuge under your mantle. Grant me the grace I humbly ask of you now. 

[Personal intentions]
I pray for my prodigal son and for my sister Gail. May God bless her with good health for the rest of the year and keep her out of the hospital. 

Virgin full of grace, help of Christians, never cease to protect and bless all who ask for help in times of trial. Be sweet, O gracious Mother, toward me. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

## Feast of St. Lucy

Today is the feast day of St. Lucy (December 13). She was born in Syracuse, Sicily, in the fourth century to a wealthy family but gave all she had to the poor. A virgin committed to her faith, she resisted an attempted rape and was subsequently accused of being a Christian. She was beaten and martyred around 304 AD. The Church canonized her as a saint, and she is invoked for healing of the eyes and for eye surgery.

*Our Advent journey calls us to consecrate ourselves to Mary, pray for one another, and work toward a more just world.*