Prayer for International Women's Day - March 8, 2022.

Immersed in the Spirit and connected with the world, we call upon all women on this planet, to look at our world and act with courage and determination for gender equality, climate crisis and reduction of disaster risk which are the greatest global challenges of the 21st century.

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Woman herself is a celebration! She believes and we live! If God gave her the power to make, He also gave her the same power to break; to break the boundaries she has been in for so many years. If she can endure pain, abandon her own dreams for the sake of her own, she can also take up the challenge of the world, to embark on the journey of realizing her own dreams.

She is the personification of faith! She is the personification of power! Women's day is nothing more than a way to honor her power to love and care and It would have been beyond human comprehension, if women were not there.

Reader 1:  we acclaim:

Just like Mary, you Woman, carry the breath of life and pour out Love, just as the best community namely the Holy Trinity, pours out love from the its bosom.

In all continents, countries and local spaces, your role o woman is extraordinary.

Reader 2:  We acclaim:

Just like Mary, you are blessed, o woman, among all those who tenderly care for the other and allow the seed of life to sprout in their womb.

Reader 3:  We acclaim:

Just like Mary, you are blessed, o woman, for your heart is full of hope, your hands reflect the affection of a mother, your soul, the rays of the sun, your eyes, the brightness of the stars and your voice, the magic and beauty of love.

Reader 4:  We acclaim:

Just like Mary, you are blessed, o woman for you intercede for life and your children, you plead unceasingly for peace and journey on with the hope of survival just like the Mother Earth.  Amidst the cry of the Earth and the cry of the Poor, the entire humanity awaits with urgency for Gender equality in order to have a better tomorrow.

Reader 5:  We acclaim:

Just like Mary, o Woman, only you can break the shackles of oppression, devaluation and timidity. You are blessed by the force of planetary life o woman, for you have a pure heart which neither feed on hatred, nor ingratitude.

Let us Pray

All: 

With the whole Universe, we unite our voice in a prophetic way to speak against all exploitation and abuse of women for profit, pleasure and consumption. 

United with the whole Universe in one voice, we cry and pray for you, o woman. We join you in your dream to have a world with gender equality whose roots are in God, the Creator.  

We thank you, o woman for your tenderness, beauty, dedication and love which you carry in your being.

May no woman be shunned of her dignity and may no woman be used as instrument of pleasure, for all women are created and blessed by God, our Creator and Redeemer.

We work and wish that all humanity may sing like Elizabeth to Mary: "Blessed are you among all women".  May Mary be the model and inspiration for all women.

 Amen!

JPIC - Commission