Act of Entrustment of Canada to Mary (10 September 1984)

On Monday, 10 September 1984, the Holy Father entrusted Canada to Mary, in the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape.

1. Hail, full of grace, / the Lord is with you! Hail, humble handmaid of the Lord, / blessed among women! Hail, holy Mother of God, / glorious and blessed Virgin! Hail, Mother of the Church, / holy Mary: our Mother!

2. Virgin of the Cape, you show them the source of all joy and all peace; Small and great, you listen to them and console them; you show them the source of all joy and all peace; Jesus, the fruit of your womb.

3. I present to your Mother's love the men and / women of this country. I pray to you for children and young people: that they may advance in life guided by faith and hope, / that they may open their hearts to the calls of the Master of the harvest. I pray to you for couples: that they may discover the ever new beauty / of generous love open to life. I pray to you for families: that they may experience the joy of unity / where each person gives the best of themselves to others. I pray to you for single people: that they may find the happiness of serving and that of knowing that they are useful to their brothers and sisters. I pray to you for consecrated persons: that they may bear witness, through their free commitment, / to Christ's call to build a new world.

4. I pray for those who have charge of the people of God: bishops, priests, deacons / and all those who exercise ecclesial service and an apostolate. Keep them in the courage and joy of the Gospel.

5. I pray for the sick, the weary and the discouraged. Give them relief from their suffering and the ability to offer it with Christ. Make us attentive to their sorrows and their needs.

6. I pray to you for those whom society sets aside and rejects. Make us fraternal with all and help us to see in them the poor in whom your Son recognizes himself.

7. Guides political leaders in the paths of justice for all. Helps the human community to progress in solidarity.

8. I pray for those who are moving away from God. / Bring them back to the love and light of the Lord.

9. In more than one country, people are at war with each other. / Support the wounded victims, / and convert those who sow misfortune.

10. So many of our human brothers and sisters suffer from hunger. Make us able to share more and freely.

11. Sustain the Church in Canada in the proclamation of the Gospel. Confirm within her to power of your Word. / Dispose her to be at the service of justice. / Strengthen within her the communion which your Son established among the members of his Body. Help all the scattered children of God find again the fullness of unity.

12. Mother of the faithful! Pray for us all, poor sinners that we are. Teach us to live in friendship with God / and in mutual fraternal help, / to walk along the ways of the Lord, / strong in faith / and fortified by the support of your presence.

13. I present to you my brothers and sisters of this country. / Welcome them into your helpful goodness and your maternal tenderness / for they are loved by your Son Jesus. / He entrusted them to you at the moment of giving his life for the multitude. Amen!

© Copyright 1984 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana