BLESSING OF OCTOBER MEDALS

OPENING HYMN

The choir leads the students in singing an opening

hymn while the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is

brought into the assembly.

GREETING

Presider:

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

R. And also with you.

INTRODUCTION TO THE CELEBRATION

The Presider introduces the celebration in these or similar words:

Wearing the medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary

throughout the whole month of October

is a cherished and beloved tradition of Jesuit education.

Saint Ignatius loved Mary very dearly

and often prayed to her to keep him close to her Son.

These medals visibly remind us

of Mary’s maternal guidance and protection.

Wearing them with faith also serves

as our simple way of expressing

our love and devotion to her.

May we who will wear these medals

experience her special closeness and intercession.

By being close to her,

may she bring us closer to Jesus, her Son.

A brief period of silence is observed.

GOSPEL READING

The Lord be with you.

R. And also with you.

 A Reading from the holy gospel according to John 19, 25-27

R. Glory to you, O Lord.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s

sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When

Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing

beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.”

Then he said to his disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from

that hour, the disciple took her into his home.

The Gospel of the Lord.

R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

INTERCESSIONS

The Savior entrusted us to the care of Mary, our loving mother.

May we who will wear these medals learn to live out its message

as we say with confidence, the prayer inscribed on them:

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

1. In the medal of Mary, we see the woman pregnant with child, who crushes

the head of the serpent with the blessed fruit of her womb. May we who

wear this medal be strong in our struggle against sin, and firm in our

desire to be holy. We pray.

2. In the medal of Mary, we see her hand showering an abundance of graces

on all who turn to her. May we who wear this medal always confide in the

help of our Mother and enjoy her powerful intercession. Learning from her

example of charity and generosity, may we reach out to the needy and the

afflicted, especially in this time of severe calamity. We pray.

3. In the medal of Mary, we see her name entwined with the Cross of Christ.

May we who wear this medal become faithful disciples and follow the

Savior’s path of self-giving love. We pray.

4. In the medal of Mary, we see her Immaculate Heart nestled close to the

Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we who wear this medal remain close to Jesus

by having a pure, generous and compassionate heart. We pray.

5. In the medal of Mary, we see the image of the Church represented by the

twelve stars that stand for the apostles of Christ. May we who wear this

medal always remain loyal to the faith and become shining examples of

Christian life and commitment. We pray.

PRAYER OF BLESSING

Almighty and merciful God,

by the power of the Holy Spirit,

you have preserved the Immaculate Virgin from all stain of sin

to raise her as a model for us to imitate

and give her as an intercessor to whom we have recourse.

Pour your abundant blessing on these medals 

and all who will wear them

with faith in you and trust in her motherly intercession,

that guided by her example and aided by her help,

they may persevere in your grace

and grow in holiness

to share her crown of life in heaven.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Presider sprinkles the medals with holy water. An appropriate hymn

may be sung.