INTENTION
For Mothers Who Place Their Children for Adoption
SCRIPTURE
(Exodus 1:22 – 2:6, 2:10)
Pharaoh then commanded all his people, "Throw into the Nile every boy that is born, but you may let all the girls live."
Now a man of the
house of Levi married a Levite woman, and the woman conceived and bore a
son. Seeing what a fine child he was, she hid him for three months. But
when she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket, daubed it
with bitumen and pitch, and putting the child in it, placed it among
the reeds on the bank of the Nile. His sister stationed herself at a
distance to find out what would happen to him. Then Pharaoh's daughter
came down to bathe at the Nile, while her attendants walked along the
bank of the Nile. Noticing the basket among the reeds, she sent her
handmaid to fetch it. On opening it, she looked, and there was a baby
boy crying! She was moved with pity for him…She named him Moses; for she
said, "I drew him out of the water."
SILENT REFLECTION
Pause for a moment of silent reflection.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Bless all expectant mothers
who are placing their children for adoption
and who may also be young and afraid.
They love their children so much
that they are willing to place them
with a loving family.
Bless, too, all the women who already
have shown the sacrificial nature
of a mother's love in making adoption plans
for their children.
Give them all your courage and your peace, through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
PETITION TO ST. JOSEPH
St. Joseph,
Though you must have been troubled
by Mary's news, you trusted in God's promises.
Elizabeth, too, though she was
thought to be barren,
trusted in the promises of God,
and she bore a son, John,
who would herald the arrival of the Messiah.
Hear the prayers of all mothers
who place their children for adoption
and intercede for them
before your adopted Son and Savior.
St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
pray for us.
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be
