Text Prayer Before the Mariensäule 9 September, 2006
Holy Mother of the Lord!
Our ancestors, at a time of trouble, set up your statue
here, in the very heart of Munich, and entrusted the city and country to your care.
They wanted to meet you again and again along the paths of their daily life, and to
learn from you the right way to live, to find God and to live in harmony. They gave
you a crown and a sceptre, which at that time were symbols of dominion over the country,
because they knew that power and dominion would then be in good hands B in the hands
of a Mother. Your Son, just before his farewell to his disciples, said to them: AWhoever
wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first
among you must be slave of all@ (Mk 10:43-44). At the decisive hour in your own life,
you said: AHere I am, the servant of the Lord@ (Lk 1:38). You lived your whole life
as service. And you continue to do so throughout history. At Cana, you silently
and discreetly interceded for the spouses, and so you continue to do. You take upon
yourself people=s needs and concerns, and you bring them before the Lord, before your
Son. Your power is goodness. Your power is service. Teach us B great and small
alike B to carry out our responsibilities in the same way. Help us to find the strength
to offer reconciliation and forgiveness. Help us to become patient and humble, but
also free and courageous, just as you were at the hour of the Cross. In your arms
you hold Jesus, the Child who blesses, the Child who is also the Lord of the world.
By holding the Child who blesses, you have yourself become a blessing. Bless us,
this city and this country! Show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb! Pray
for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen!