Our Lady of Victories

It is our hope that this Shrine will be a place of destination and pilgrimage when you are in Boston. Come and pray here and allow Mary to gently lead you to the open arms of her Son. We priests of the Society of Mary will happily pray and celebrate with you the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick.

Many have asked to have their Marriages here. It is our joy to serve you if it is possible. Please read the directives for Marriage in the special section locate here.

If you are not able to come to Boston and would like special prayers or advice, you can contact us through the email or phone number listed on the web page. You can have Masses offered for your intentions throughout the year.

May Mary watch over you and lead you to the Victory of peace in mind and heart which only Her Son, Jesus, can bring.

Sincerely in the love of Jesus and Mary,
The Parish Team

THE HOLIEST OF WEEKS

We welcome you to our beautiful church today! As a community, we’ve been on a Lenten journey since early March and now we enter more deeply into the mystery of our salvation in Jesus. From Holy Thursday on, we celebrate the most important days in our Church’s calendar. On these days, we are invited to a deeper union with our Lord as we relive his final days on earth. We will join him at the Last Supper and as he is betrayed in the garden. We will be with him on Calvary and witness his death on the cross. After feeling the absence of Jesus on Friday evening and Saturday, we will joyfully celebrate his Resurrection at Saturday’s Easter Vigil and at all our Easter Sunday Masses. Then we will burst forth in song and praise! Our parish staff invites each of you to participate in the special Masses and services scheduled here during these sacred days. Please plan to join us and take this bulletin home with you so you can let others know about our schedule. If you are from outside of Boston, I encourage you to go to the Masses and other services in your own local church. To those who will not be here with us next weekend, we wish you a holy and blessed Easter in advance. May God’s peace be with all of you!

PALM SUNDAY

“The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them,” says Isaiah in today’s first reading. The gifts God has given us are likewise given for the good of others. How am I using my gifts? See Isaiah 50:4

CONTRIBUTIONS

This past week we received $585.32 from the week-day collection and $2,228.00 from the week-end collection. We are grateful for your generosity.

FAST AND ABSTINENCE

Good Friday, April 18th, is a day of fast and abstinence for Catholics. Adults up to age 60 are expected to fast by eating only one full meal that day. One or two smaller meals may be eaten if necessary. All the faithful age 14 and older are called to abstain from meat on Good Friday, unless one’s health would be seriously affected. The choice for meatless meals should be made in line with the spirit of penance on this solemn day.

THE EASTER VIGIL

Saturday’s Easter Vigil Mass is meant to begin in darkness. Because of the lateness of Easter this year, the Archdiocese has asked that no Vigil Masses begin before 8:30 p.m. That is the time we have scheduled our Mass for this year.

FOR THE MARISTS

Within the Archdiocese of Boston, the Easter collection is taken up for the care of the sick and retired diocesan priests. We Marists are given permission to use the collection at Our Lady of Victories for the needs of our own retired Marists who live here at 27 Isabella St. We thank you sincerely in the name of our older men.

BLESSING FOR THE RUNNERS

Easter Sunday is the day before the Boston Marathon this year. We invite all runners, their friends, and family members to join us at Mass on April 20th. We will offer a blessing for the runners after each Mass and we will also pray for those who were killed or injured in last year’s bombings.

DONATIONS FOR FLOWERS

We look forward to Easter when our church will be decorated with beautiful flowers. If you would like to make a donation, there are yellow envelopes available at the back of the Church. Please place your contributions either in the collection basket or in the box located beside the statue of St. Anthony. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

LITANY OF OUR LADY OF VICTORIES

LET US PRAY:  Our Lady of Victories, we come before you in prayer.  You are in complete union with the will of the Father and with the mission of your Son, Jesus Christ.  We ask your intercession that all that binds us and burdens us will be overcome by the saving death and resurrection of your Son.  We pray in His name, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives forever and ever. Amen.

V.     Lord, have mercy.                                          R.     Lord, have mercy.

V.     Christ, have mercy.                                       R.     Christ, have mercy.

V.     Lord, have mercy.                                          R.     Lord, have mercy.

V.     God, the Father of heaven,                            R.     have mercy on us.

V.     God the Son, our Redeemer,                        R.     have mercy on us.

V.     God the Holy Spirit                                          R.     have mercy on us.

V.     Holy Trinity, One God,                                    R.     have mercy on us.

V.     Holy Mary, Mother of God,                                                R.     pray for us.

V.     Our Lady of Victories,                                                        R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over lack of faith,                                             R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over sin, both personal and social,              R.     pray of us.

V.     For victory over the culture of death,                               R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over abortion and euthanasia,                      R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over war and all forms of violence,              R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory of sexual and physical abuse,                      R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over pornography and sexual exploitation, R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over racial hatred and prejudice,                  R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over poverty and homelessness,                  R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over alcoholism and drug addiction,            R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over nicotine and gambling addiction,         R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over all forms of addiction,                             R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over cancer and heart disease,                     R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,    R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over HIV/AIDS,                                                R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over mental and emotional illness,              R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over all sickness and disease,                     R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over family strife and discord,                       R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over ignorance and fear,                               R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over materialism and greed,                         R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over indifference and negligence,               R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over pride and a judgmental spirit,              R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over despair and hopelessness,                 R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over the bonds of death itself,                      R.     pray for us.

V.     That our parish might trust in your will,                                                                  R.    Hear us, O Lord.

V.     That our community might share more fully in the victory of your Son,              R.    Hear us, O Lord.

V.     That our community might grow, both in faith and in numbers,                            R.    Hear us, O Lord.

V.     Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                          R.     spare us, O Lord.

V.     Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                          R.    hear us, O Lord.

V.     Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                           R.     have mercy on us.

LET US PRAY: Loving and merciful God, hear with a longing to share more fully in the victory of your

Son in His cross and resurrection.  With the intercession of Mary, our Mother and Our Lady of Victories, we offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns forever and ever.  Amen.