Consecration to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

This is the Consecration composed by our Bishops for the citizens of the United States 11-11-06

Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in Heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of Your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as Your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as Your Mother; in union with Mary, we adore Your majesty and acknowledge Your supreme eternal dominion and authority.

Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that She may present the country to You. Through Her we wish to thank You for the great resources of this land and for the freedom which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our President and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the innocence of our children. Grant the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners - on all who are in need.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give our country and ourselves to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pierced by the sword of sorrow prophesized by Simeon, save us from degeneration, disaster and war. Protect us from all harm. O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, you who bore the sufferings of your Son in the depths of your Heart, be our Advocate. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the Will of your Divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God. Amen.

(The United States of America was consecrated to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary by the U.S. Bishops on November 11, 2006 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Bishop David Ricken, the Bishop of Cheyenne, WY represented the Bishops and led the consecration prayer.) Photo by Ashley Puglia, courtesy of The Catholic Standard and Times, The Archdiocese of Philadelphia