14 May 2017

14 May A.D. 2017: Mother's Day

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Today is observed as Mother's Day in Canada, the United States, and various parts of the world.  To all mothers I pray God sends you joy and blessings.  And for my own mother, Mary Rose, may Our Lord and Our Lady embrace you with tender love, and may God our Father shower blessings and graces upon you as you have filled my life to overflowing with your love.


Of Saint Mary the Virgin, 
Mother of our God and Saviour
Jesus Christ

Holy Virgin, Mother of mothers,
Mother of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ,
may we love thee
as thy Child Jesus loveth thee perfectly.

O GOD, 
Who didst choose the Mother of thy Son 
To be our Mother also, 
Grant us that, persevering in penance and prayer 
For the salvation of the world, 
We may further more effectively each day 
The reign of Christ 
Who liveth and reigneth with thee 
In the unity of the Holy Ghost, 
One God, for ever and ever. Amen. 






For All Mothers

Episcopal priest Fr. Bryan Owen (of Baton Rouge, Louisiana) wrote the following prayer and has it posted on his blog Creedal Christian:


Most gracious and gentle God, from the womb of your love you gave birth to all creation, and in your Son Jesus Christ you reveal a loving-kindness that longs to gather up your children under the shadow of your wings: Bless, we pray, all mothers, especially those who nurse and care for children. Give them patience and wisdom. Sustain them in gentleness and grace. Deepen the tenderness of their affections. Affirm them in the nobility of their calling. May our children always find in the embrace of mothers an outward and visible sign of your never-failing love and care. And through the love of our mothers, may we all feel the warmth of your tender mercies and know the constancy of your unconditional love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


There is also a beautiful collect for Mother's Day on the Prayer Book Society (USA) website:

Almighty God our heavenly Father, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, whose beloved Son didst share and enjoy the blessings of an earthly home in Nazareth: Bless, we beseech thee, the homes of our nation and especially this day hear our prayers for mothers everywhere, that they may grow in Christian love and understanding; pour down on them all the riches of thy grace that they may reflect and share the true and pure love of God to their children and families; To the honor and glory of thy Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


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