Praying with Mary, Queen of Peace - in honor of the Assumption of Mary which we will celebrate on August 15 2017

Holy Mary,
holding in your arms your son Jesus,

you heard echoing in the sky over Bethlehem,

the angelic announcement of peace,

the first gift to the world of the Word made flesh,

graciously turn your glance down

on a world still in the presence of darkness and shadow, 

on a world torn apart by hate, violence, and war.

Mother of Mercy,

who gave to the world our Savior,

grant our governmental leaders wisdom and discernment,

help them to protect all of God's creation

and to work towards justice, solidarity and peace. 

Help enemies be open to dialogue, 

bring adversaries to shaking hands, 

and all peoples to meet in harmony.

Virgin Mary,

making your family's home in the small village of Nazareth,

you lived with simple and faithful love the daily dimension of family life,

enter into each of our families and melt the ice of indifference and silence that makes parents strangers and distant one from each other and from their own children.

Mary, Queen of Peace,

help us to understand that the first peace we must attain is a heart freed from sin,

and in purifying our hearts, help us to be builders of peace and reconciliation, 

so that the earth may proclaim the presence of God's kingdom and the salvation of Christ your Son,

which is the true and lasting peace. Amen. 

Adapted by a prayer written by Cardinal Renato R. Martino