Our Lady, Help of Christians
Prayer Service
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our celebration on this feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians. Mary is the patron of
our own country, Australia. We look to Mary for her help, her protection and guidance. We
celebrate the many gifts God gives us here in Australia – the diversity of our people, the beauty of
this land, the values of freedom and peace that we treasure.
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty ever-living God, who placed the love of Our Lady, Help of Christians in the hearts of
those who brought the Catholic faith to these shores, grant, through her intercession, wisdom to
our leaders and integrity to our citizens, so that, under her protection, Australia may know
harmony, justice and peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with
you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Proverbs.
A perfect wife – who can find her?
She is far beyond the price of pearls.
Her husband’s heart has confidence in her,
from her he will derive no little profit.
Advantage and not hurt she brings him
all the days of her life.
She is always busy with wool and with flax,
she does her work with eager hands.
She sets her hands to the distaff,
her fingers grasp the spindle.
She holds out her hand to the poor,
she opens her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty;
the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
Give her a share in what her hands have worked for,
(Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31)
and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.
The word of the Lord.
All:
Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
(Judith 13:18‐20)
R: YOU ARE THE HIGHEST HONOUR OF OUR RACE
1. May you be blessed, my daughter, by God Most High, beyond all women on earth; and
may the Lord God be blessed, the Creator of heaven and earth. R
YOU ARE THE HIGHEST HONOUR OF OUR RACE
2. The trust you have shown shall not pass from the memories of men, but shall ever remind
them of the power of God. R
YOU ARE THE HIGHEST HONOUR OF OUR RACE
3. God grant you be always held in honour, and rewarded with blessing, since you did not
consider your own life when our nation was brought to its knees. R
YOU ARE THE HIGHEST HONOUR OF OUR RACE
SECOND READING
(Jas 3:13-18)
A reading from the letter of St James.
If there are any wise or learned men among you, let them show it by their good lives,
with humility and wisdom in their actions. But if at heart you have the bitterness or
jealousy, or self-seeking ambition, never make any claims for yourself or cover up the
truth with lies – principles of this kind are not the wisdom that comes down from
above: they are only earthly, animal and devilish. Wherever you find jealousy and
ambition, you find disharmony, and wicked things of every kind being done; whereas
the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes
for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by
doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it. Peacemakers, when
they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness.
The word of the Lord.
All:
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
(Lk 1:39-56)
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you O Virgin Mary, for your firm believing that the promises of the Lord would be
fulfilled.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
(LK 1:39-56)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into
Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the
child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and
said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I
be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my
ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made
her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
And Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
The Gospel of the Lord.
All:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Leader: We praise and thank God, through Mary, for the many gifts we have and appreciate as
Australians. We come to you now with these prayers.
Reader: With the help of Mary, we pray that we may embrace and respect all Australians.
May we work towards reconciliation with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, and learn to live in
harmony with all those who are different from ourselves. (PAUSE). Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: With the help of Mary, we pray for those who seek hope in Australia, especially migrants
and refugees. May we be a sign of true Christian hospitality and generosity to them.
(PAUSE). Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: With the help of Mary, we pray that Australians might be an example to the world in our
concern for global peace, human rights and justice for all. (PAUSE) Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: With the help of Mary, we pray for Christian unity; that all who follow Christ be renewed
in their commitment to him and to the Gospel. (PAUSE) Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord, listen to your people’s needs. Under the motherly protection of Mary, help us to
remain faithful to you as we rejoice in our land and its people. Mary, Help of Christians…
All: Pray for us.
LITANY OF OUR LADY
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Mother of Christ, Pray for us.
Mother of the Church, Pray for us.
Mother most pure, Pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, Pray for us.
Help of Christians, Pray for us.
Queen of angels, Pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, Pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, Pray for us.
Queen of the most holy rosary, Pray for us.
Queen of peace, Pray for us.
Queen of the family, Pray for us.
(TKWL – Year 6, page 135)
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, through this celebration we have been nourished and blessed. Deepen in our hearts a love
for Mary our helper, so that we may find in her protection, the love and care you have for us. This
we ask, in union with your Spirit.
All: Amen.
SUGGESTED HYMNS
Primary
Mary Our Mother (John Burland – Let’s Celebrate)
One Body (Trisha Watts – As One Voice For Kids)
Spirit Dream (Monica Brown – One People One Land)
God Is Good (Kathy Chan – As One Voice For Kids)
Hail Mary (John Burland – One Family)
I Will Bless You Lord (D. O’Halloran & M. Millward – As One Voice For Kids)
O Queen of All (Michael Mangan – My Spirit Sings)
Sing Your Joy (Michael Mangan – Sing Your Joy)
Speak Lord (Monica Brown – Holy Ground)
Standing By The Southern Cross (Michael Mangan – Sing Your Joy)
We Give Thanks (Monica O’Brien & Trish Watts – As One Voice For Kids)
We Will Make A Place Ready (D. O’Halloran & M. Millward – As One Voice For Kids)
Immaculate Mary (traditional hymn)
Secondary
A Trusting Psalm (Kevin Bates – As One Voice/Vol 1 & Gather
Awesome Forever (James Garrahy – Ride Of a Life Time – Emmanuel Worship)
Beautiful Mother (Sarah Hart – Daughters Of God – OCP)
Blest Be The Lord (Dan Schutte ‐ As One Voice/Vol 1)
Hail Mary: Gentle Woman (C. Landry – Gather Australia, Singing the Liturgy)
Joyful in Hope (M. Herry – As One Voice Vol.1)
Let God’s Dream Be Born (K. Bates – As One Voice Vol.2)
The Magnificat (Peter Kearny – As One Voice/Vol 1)
Your Mercies Are New Every Morning (Patrick Keady – Lifted – Emmanuel Worship)
I Am Convinced (Natalie Balinger & Patrick Keady – Lifted – Emmanuel Worship)
Open My Eyes (Mannibusan – As One Voice/1)
Speak Lord (Monica Brown – Holy Ground)
The Fullness Of God (Frank Andersen – Eagle’s Wings)
Immaculate Mary (traditional hymn)
Salve Regina (traditional hymn)