Mary at the Door of the New Year

O, Mary, Queen of Heaven and Queen of life.
You are the …
Woman of beauty and Mother of Sorrows.
You stand before us, among us
at the Door of this New Year.
You it is who will walk this great chaotic expanse with us.

O, Mother, Mary, only with you,
have we the courage to continue
to go forward, to step out into the unknown;
hold us firmly by the hand.
As the Door of the year opens, a vast desert is seen ahead
the horizon lost to sight.

O Mary, how merciful, how great is the love of your Son!
If we could see, really see, our hearts would shrink within us,
but Jesus in his merciful love calls us forwards, upwards
just one step at a time.
The future is mercifully hidden from our gaze.

O, Mother, gentle enduring presence,
companion ever at our side
what do we see?
Wars, rumours of wars,
earthquakes, devastation, corruption and sin,
all strewn along the path that winds through
the expanse that lies ahead,
that borders the time of this coming year,
suffering and pain.

Ah, Via Dolorosa! O, Mary, Mother of Sorrows
your heart is pierced,
A thousand crucifixes stand on either side
of the road that leads from the door of the New Year
into the future …
But you are with us!
You are with your Church!
May we be with you!
Co-workers for Christ, sharing the burdens
of His sufferings …

O, Mary lead us onwards through the brambles and the thorns,
You are a sure hope, Immaculata, because we are on your path to God.
O, Mary, Mother of Compassion as we travel onwards
may compassion and mercy be our gift to those we meet.
To the fallen, Mary give your solace!
To the tempted, reach out your hands!

O, Mary, my heart fails me
at just one glimpse of the road of life,
but in the hour of need, the grace of your Son
never fails! Never fails!
Mother, your love is interwoven into the very fabric of my life.
You give me hope, I know your Heart will triumph!

Fiat! Fiat, be it done unto humankind
according to His Word!!!
I am ready, Mary, take my hand,
I trust you totally, I surrender to the darkness,
I will follow wherever you would have me go …

Yes, Mary.
The ways of faith lead to the waters of Eternal life
through the sweet Passion of your Son.
Onwards, yes! O, Mary…
I trust, I believe! … for you are
The Porta Caeli! The Gate of heaven!

Yes Mary, fling wide the door
upon this New year..
Yes! For love, your love, His love, our love,
will yet bring us safely to our destination.
Yes, let us step out now!

Such joy, such bliss, such happiness
will yet be ours!