O LORD OF LIFE, we thank you that the day of resurrection has dawned upon us. In its clear light, help us now to step from whatever sign of darkness there may be in ourselves into the true light and life, which is now yours—and which you long to share freely and fully with us.

Come to us – tune our heart and mind to give abundant thanks and praise to God – that on every Sunday we may solemnly celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection. Give us this day quiet peace and special gladness, that being protected day and night by your mercy, we may rejoice always in the gift of life given to us by our faithful Savior.

– Norman Shawchuck

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,

and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.

Show us your face and we will be saved.

Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;

the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;

made Peter weep after his betrayal,

and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.

Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:

“If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father,

of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:

let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.

You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness

in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:

let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,

so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,

and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,

proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,

and restore sight to the blind.  

We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy,

you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Amen.