Bishop McManus Blesses Diocese and Seeks Mary's Intercession

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  On the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop McManus asked the intercession of the Mother of God in this time of pandemic and consecrated the Diocese to her maternal aid. Joining with priests throughout the Diocese, the Bishop prayed the following prayer on the steps of Saint Paul Cathedral in Worcester, Saint Cecilia Church in Leominster, Holy Rosary Church in Gardner, Saint John’s Church in Clinton, Saint Luke’s Church in Westborough and Saint Joseph Basilica in Webster.

  O Mary, conceived without sin,
  look upon your children
  in our beloved Diocese:
  intercede for us with your Son
  that he who willed to take flesh in your immaculate womb
  might banish from our midst all sickness and disease;
  and calm the trembling of our hearts.

  We consecrate our Diocese to your protection,
  O Mother of God,
  that the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit.
  might still the waters of chaos and death
  and save us from this present hour. Amen.

  Bishop McManus then blessed the Diocese, by sprinkling three times in three directions.  He then lead the gathered priests in the Hail Mary and the Our Father and gave them his blessing. In his letter to the priests explaining this consecration, Bishop McManus wrote “In these days we are all praying fervently that God deliver us from danger and watch over us in our need. From the earliest days of the Church, we have trusted in the maternal assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of all who are in distress, especially the sick and those in danger of death.

  “This Wednesday, March 25th, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the Church provides us with a special opportunity to call upon the help of the Mother of God.  I have planned, therefore, to travel to six locations throughout the Diocese and consecrate our beloved Diocese to Mary’s protection in this time of pandemic.
  
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