ACT OF CONSECRATION OF IRELAND TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
Dear Father, Deacon, brothers and sisters,

As previously announced, I invite Clergy and all the Faithful to join with me at the 12.00 noon Angelus on the Feast of the Annunciation, 25 March, in consecrating Ireland and her people to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for protection from the coronavirus.

Attached and below is a copy of the Act of Consecration. Priests are invited to lead these prayers in their churches or at home and, if possible, to relay them via webcam and/or radio etc.  People are encouraged to participate and unite themselves in prayer in their homes and workplaces.

I would be grateful if you could distribute the short prayer ritual attached to your parishioners and make it widely available on social media so that as many people as possible, across the country, can participate in the Act of Consecration.

With every good wish,
Eamon Martin
Archbishop of Armagh




ACT OF CONSECRATION OF IRELAND TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY FOR PROTECTION FROM THE CORONAVIRUS

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
25 March 2020


The Act begins with the recitation of The Angelus.


The Apostles Creed

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.


The First Joyful Mystery of the Rosary: The Annunciation of the Lord


PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Health of the Sick,
at this time of great challenge to our country from the coronavirus,
we consecrate to Jesus through your Immaculate Heart:

ourselves, our family, the members of our parish and Diocese, and the people of Ireland.

O Mary, Queen of Ireland, when you appeared at Knock, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and brought them comfort in a time of sorrow.


Be with us now as a sign of salvation and hope, as we entrust ourselves to your loving care.

We renew the promises of our Baptism and Confirmation and ask your intercession that we may be always faithful to Christ and to His Church.

Bring under your mantle of protection all those who are suffering because of the coronavirus, and those who care for the sick and minister to their needs,
as your Son implores us to do for one another.

O Loving Mother,
at the foot of the Cross, with steadfast faith,
your Immaculate Heart was pierced by grief at the suffering of your Son.

You know what we need during these difficult days.

Help us, O Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us -
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.

O Blessed Mother, Our Life, our Sweetness and Our Hope,

we wish that this Consecration be for the glory of God and that it lead us safely to Jesus your Son.

A Naomh-Mhuire, a Mháthair Dé, guigh orainn na peacaigh, anois agus ar uair ár mbáis. Amen.

 
BLESSING
May your servants be shielded, O Lord
By the protection of your loving-kindness,
That, doing what is good in this world,
They may reach you, their highest good.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


May Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.