As you know, 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in the Portuguese village of Fatima in 1917. The 100th anniversary of the final apparition is October 13, 2017.
Below is a prayer called an Act of Consecration to Mary. It is an adaptation of Pope Francis' prayer which he offered at St. Peter's Square on October 13, 2013. With this prayer I will consecrate the Diocese of San Angelo to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at a public Rosary at Holy Family Parish in Abilene on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 7:00 PM. All are invited.
This Act of Consecration may be used privately or publicly in any of our parishes on or around October 13, 2017, or any time, to entrust the people, parishes, and ministries of the Diocese of San Angelo to the maternal intercession of Our Blessed Mother.
Mary preaches Jesus, and Jesus is the Savior of the World.
Most Rev. Michael J. Sis
Bishop of San Angelo
Act of Consecration to Mary Diocese of San Angelo
Blessed Virgin Mary,
with renewed gratitude for your motherly presence
we join in the voice of all generations that call you blessed.
We celebrate in you the great works of God,
who never tires of lowering himself in mercy over humanity,
afflicted by evil and wounded by sin,
to heal and to save it.
We consecrate to your Immaculate Heart
all the people, parishes, and ministries in the Diocese of San Angelo.
Protect us through your prayerful intercession.
Accept with the benevolence of a Mother
this act of entrustment that we make in faith today.
We know that each one of us is precious in your eyes.
May we allow your sweet gaze to reach us,
along with the perpetual warmth of your smile.
Guard our life with your embrace;
bless and strengthen every desire for good;
help us to resist temptation;
give new life and nourishment to faith;
sustain and enlighten hope;
awaken and animate charity;
guide us all on the path to holiness.
Draw forth the precious gift of many vocations to the priesthood,
the diaconate, the consecrated life, and holy matrimony.
Teach us your own special love for the humble and the poor,
for the excluded and the suffering,
for sinners and the wounded of heart.
Gather all people under your protection
and give us all to your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
Amen.