Oceania Prayer

Conclusion to the Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Oceania, Pope John Paul II, November 22, 2001.

O Mary, Help of Christians,
in our need we turn to you with eyes of love,
with empty hands and longing hearts.
We look to you that we may see your Son, our Lord.
We lift our hands that we may have the bread of Life.
We open wide our hearts to receive the Prince of Peace.

Mother of the church, your sons and daughters
thank you for your trusting word
that echoes through the ages,
rising from an empty soul made full of grace,
prepared by God to welcome the Word to the world
that the world itself might be reborn.
In you, the reign of God has dawned,
a reign of grace and peace, love and justice,
born from the depths of the Word made flesh.
The Church throughout the world joins you in praising him
whose mercy is from age to age.

O Stella Maris, light of every ocean and mistress of the deep,
guide the peoples of Oceania across all dark and stormy seas,
that they may reach the haven of peace and light
prepared in him who calmed the sea.
Keep all your children safe from harm
for the waves are high and we are far from home.
As we set forth upon the oceans of the world
and cross the deserts of our time,
show us, O Mary, the fruit of your womb,
for without your Son we are lost.
Pray that we will never fail on life's journey,
that in heart and mind, in word and deed,
in days of turmoil and in days of calm,
we will always look to Christ and say,
"Who is this that even wind and sea obey him?"

Our Lady of Peace, in whom all storms grow still,
pray at the dawn of the new millennium that the Church in Oceania
will not cease to show forth the glorious face of your Son,
full of grace and truth,
so that God will reign in the hearts of the Pacific peoples
and they will find peace in the world's true Savior.

Plead for the Church in Oceania
that she may have strength to follow faithfully
the way of Jesus Christ,
to tell courageously the truth of Jesus Christ,
to live joyfully the life of Jesus Christ.
O Help of Christians, protect us!
Bright Star of the Sea, guide us!
Our Lady of Peace, pray for us!