Mass for Victims of Sexual Abuse

4

PRESIDER'S OUTLINE

Mass for Victims of Sexual Abuse

MASS PRAYERS: Of the Day

INTRODUCTORY RITE

OPENING SONG

SIGN OF THE CROSS/GREETING

Presider: In the name of the Father +, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

ALL: Amen.

PRESIDER: The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

ALL: And also with you.

COMMENTS FOR THE DAY

PRESIDER: My dear friends, as the Gospels tell us, people went to Jesus for healing. He healed the body and soul, from every danger, and admitted all to His presence in the purity of heart. Today, pray for the healing of those who suffered sexual abuse in the home and in the parish. Individuals suffer from abuse, but the abuse affects the whole Body of Christ, that is, all believers. In our prayer today, let us seek wholeness.

Penitential Rite

Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: (Of the day)

Psalm of the Season (Of the day)

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel: (Of the day)

Homily

Prayers of the Faithful

Presider: My brothers and sisters, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and piety, and fear of the Lord moves us to seek the Lord’s healing so that we may be freed to build the Kingdom of God in our daily lives. Let us pray in confidence:

DEACON:

That those who have suffered sexual abuse may have their sorrow turned into lasting joy and embrace the wonder and the gift of life, We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the sick and suffering, that God may given them courage and strength to witness to their faith through their suffering. We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who have dedicated themselves to God through marriage, the religious life, and clerical life, that God will help them to be faithful to their promises. We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

For all of us gathered here, that we will choose the gifts God has given us and allow God to free us from the chains of sorrow. We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

(Insert other local prayers)

Presider: Lord, Jesus Christ, be near to your people and hear our prayers. We have many needs that we cannot express. We ask you to fill our hearts with peace and help us grow in the kingdom where you are Lord for ever and ever. Amen

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

(The Mass continues as usual. Eucharistic prayer acclamations are sung.)

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Communion Rite

Lord’s Prayer

Fraction Rite

Communion Procession

Communion Prayer

Special Prayer for victims of abuse

A Litany for Healing

Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Protect all children, Lord
Grant us the grace, Lord
Preserve our nation, Lord
For children wounded and tearful
For children confused or alone
For children afraid or abandoned
For children beaten
For children who sleep in fear
For children afraid to go home
For children afraid of their abusers
For children assaulted
For children whose innocence
has been stolen
For those who cannot trust, Lord
For those who cannot love, Lord
For those whose hearts are filled with fear
For the Church,
called to be the light of the world
For Bishops,
called to be Good Shepherds
For Priests,
conformed to the person of Christ
For all ministers of the Church,
called to live the Gospel
For priests who abuse children
For parents or relatives
who abuse their children
For teachers and coaches
who abuse children
For all who abuse children
To doctors and therapists, Lord
To houses of healing and renewal, Lord
To men and women of the media, Lord
To lawyers and judges, Lord
To those imprisoned for abuse, Lord
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Saint Maria Goretti
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy / Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
With your enduring love
To protect and nourish the innocent
To be chaste and pure in love
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Save, heal and protect them, O Lord!
Banish all darkness from her children, O Lord!
Make them vigilant defenders of the weak, O Lord!
Grant them purity and Christ-like love, O Lord!
Grant them a love of Christian virtues, O Lord!
Grant them repentance, O Lord!
Grant them repentance, O Lord!
Grant them repentance, O Lord!
Grant them repentance, O Lord!
Grant compassion and skill
Grant wisdom and dedication
Grant a love for the truth alone
Grant wisdom and conviction
Grant repentance and healing
Pray for us!
Pray for us!
Pray for us!
Pray for us!
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

PRESIDER: Let us pray:

Prayer for Healing

God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong:
your only Son was delivered into the hands of the wicked,
yet healed us with the blood of his cross.
May the gentle Jesus join to his own suffering the pains of those abused
by priests, other servants of your Church, and parents who have betrayed your love,
and whose sin has brought us shame.

May Christ hear the cries of those abused,
may he quell their restless fears with faith in your protection,
their doubt, with confidence in your love,
their rage, with trust in your healing mercy.
Grant all Shepherds of his Church and of families
the compassion to protect his lambs,
the strength to guide his flock,
and the wisdom to model their lives
on Christ, the Good Shepherd.
God of justice and compassion,
protect all children from abuse,
and deliver us from hate.
May we seek only justice and truth,
and trust in your unending mercy.
We ask this through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Litany and prayer by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Text appears on: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/dop.shtml#2

CONCLUDING RITE

GREETING

PRESIDER: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

BLESSING

DISMISSAL

Deacon: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Recessional Song