Service using Catholic Marian Prayers and Songs

Begin outside the door to the crypt with the Taizé chant, Within Our Darkest Nights

Within our darkest nights, kindle the fire that never dies away, that never dies away. Within our darkest nights, you kindle the fire that never dies away.

Process single file in silence to the chapel of Notre Dame Sous Terre and sit in chairs.

Remain in silent prayer for five minutes.

Call to Worship

Let us open our hearts and lives to God…

Songs

Magnificat
Magnificat, magnificat,
Anima mea dominum, anima mea dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat,
magnificat, anima mea dominum.
Magnificat, magnificat,
magnificat, anima mea.

Ave Maria (call and response)
Ave Maria. Gratia pleina. Dominus tecum. Beneditatu. Emuliaribus. Adbendictus. Fructus bentris. Tu iy Jesus. Santa Maria. Mater dei. Ora pronobis. Pecatoribus. Nu canti ora. Mortis nostre, amen.

Reading

Annunciation by Alla Bozarth Campbell
Response: Magnificat

Prayer: Memorare (a traditional Catholic prayer used to pray to Mary)

Call and Response:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother. To thee I come, before thee, I stand sinful and sorrowful. Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petition, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Silence

Remain in silent prayer for five minutes.

Prayer: Marian Prayer offered by the Cathedral Staff at Chartres

O Immaculate Virgin,
who births to grace and to glory
all the beloved of God,
Gather me deep into your Mother’s breast
and so to form me in You
that at last, I may become like Jesus!

Silence

Remain in silent prayer for five minutes.

Time of Group Reflection

Sharing of wisdom that is coming:  members of the group.

Silence

Remain in silent prayer for five minutes.

Spontaneous Spoken Prayer

All are welcome to pray. The leader begins and finishes with thanksgiving.

Songs

Magnificat as a round

Benediction

Process out of the crypt (back up the stairs on the north side) single file and in silence.

This service was part of an ecumenical contemplative pilgrimage
made by a group from the Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality (St. Paul, Minnesota)