We invite you to use our prayer resources below during the month of August to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop of the Cross. You may wish to adapt and tailor our prayers to suit the needs of your school’s celebration. Click here for this year’s special Feast Day Prayer.
Mary MacKillop Prayers
Mary MacKillop,
woman of faith woman of the poor
teacher and educator
pilgrim on the way
woman of the cross
woman of the community
woman of the gospel
woman expanding boundaries
woman of charism.
Pray with us.
2012 Trustees of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart
Woman of vision, with an unwavering spirit.
Pioneer educator of disadvantaged, isolated and bush children.
Comforter of prisoners and the unwanted.
Extraordinary friend to all faiths and none.
Fearless advocate who lifted the vulnerable to greater things.
Shining example of complete belief in the providence of God.
Pray for us to be fair and courageous, and walk beside us as we face our daily journey.
Sr Sandra Hopkins rsj
God of all people. We thank you for Mary MacKillop who like your Son Jesus reached out to the poor, the isolated, the rejected and all in need with a compassionate and loving heart.
As we walk in her footsteps may we see with her eyes, listen with her ears and love with her heart.
May we respond in practical ways wherever we see a need. We ask this in Jesus’ name, the One who shows us the way of compassion and love. Amen
Sr Annie Bond rsj
Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you grant our request (insert request) We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
May we, like Mary MacKillop always show kindness to all, in the way we think, speak, and act. Amen
May we like Mary MacKillop, go out of our way to help those in need. Amen
May we, like Mary MacKillop, always stand up for what we believe to be right, even when it’s hard. Amen May we, like Mary MacKillop, always try to help the overlooked. Amen
And may we, like Mary MacKillop have faith and trust in God.
Amen
We ask this blessing through Jesus our friend.
Amen.
Prayer for standing up to injustice
Loving God, we live in a world where a few have too much and so many have nothing – not even a place to lay their heads. We pray especially for those most vulnerable, for those who are victims of legislation, which ignores their needs, bureaucracy that is too regimented to act, of systems that fail to see into the eyes of this individual person. Enlighten us that we may do what we can to create a world where all have what they need to live their lives with dignity and self respect. We ask this through Christ your Son. Amen.
May God bless us with injustice, oppression and exploitation of people and the earth so that we will work for justice, equity and peace. Amen
Prayers of the Faithful
Leader: Let us turn to God in prayer.
Ever generous God, You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop to live her life faithful to the Gospel and bring hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy. With confidence in your generosity, we pray:
Reader: For our new Pope……and leaders in our Church that they lead with courage and justice. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Reader: For the Sisters of St Joseph and the work of Mary MacKillop Today, may they continue to be inspire others, reaching out to those in need, in faith and love. Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Reader: For our school community, may we walk in Mary MacKillop’s footsteps, seeing a need and doing something about it. Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Reader: For all those in our community who are sick, that they will receive your healing and strength. Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Leader: For our own intentions… (pause). We make these prayers and those in our heart in Your name.
All: Amen.
