ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY

Virgin Mary of Tá Pinu, Stella maris,

We have travelled here to Your Shrine in Gozo

as pilgrims of faith, with Elizabeth’s greetings on our lips

and Your canticle to divine mercy in our hearts.

In hope we entrust to You our priestly ministry, that fully

conforming with Your Son, Supreme and Eternal Priest,

we may introduce all humankind to the ministry of Redemption

and guide them on the path to sainthood.

You who are the first fruit of the new life, preserve for us all our "fiat"

that intends to be a generous, humble and fecund Yes

at the service of the Kingdom of God.

Mary, full of grace, Regina Pacis,

protect with a mother’s delicate strength our priestly life:

eradicate from it all that might estrange us from Your Son,

and transform it into a safe path where every man

may joyfully experience divine mercy,

meeting He who is "the true light which enlightens everyone" (John 1,9).

You who shaped the human features of the Word of life,

mould us according to the holy image of the Risen Christ,

that they who approach us may hear His Word

and receive as food the Bread of life that unites and provides peace.

Mary, "Eucharistic" woman, Mother of Hope, give us Jesus!

You who gave your virginal womb for the

incarnation of the Word of God,

help us to experience the Mystery of the Eucharist

with a radical donation of ourselves to God and to humankind.

You are the living icon of all that God fulfils in those who entrust their lives to Him,

in You the Saviour’s freedom has exalted the freedom of each creature,

freedom from the devil’s slavery, from the domination of sin and death.

May our lives be eternal praise to the Lord of the cosmos and of history

hidden beneath the humility of the Eucharistic signs and of our existence.

Mary, Mother of all priests, Mother of the Church,

Ensure that Jesus is always at the centre of our ministry

and that we may be united with Him at all times.

Standing with You at the feet of the Cross, the Tree of new life,

we will be victorious and will rise at the end of time to be welcomed by Your Son.

You who are "totally saintly" support the sanctity of our priesthood,

that it may be an effective sign, elevated among all people, like a "city set on a mountain" and a "lamp set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house" ( Mt 5,14-15).

Amen.