BIRTH DAY PRAYER 21

 

Birth day - 21

“Come all you people of god

Let us sing to the Lord a joyful song of praise”

Today the mother Church invites us to celebrate the feast of the exaltation of the cross. Cross is the sign of redemption and the assurance of victory. It is the key to open the door of heaven. Let us all venerate the holy cross of Christ by which He has given us life, life in abundance.

It is indeed a day of great celebration of life that God has graciously gifted to Sr…. to transform her as a miracle of love.

In every seed there is a promise of beauty, a graceful beauty of flower, the strength of a tree, hidden beauty of a herb. It takes years after years to bring out this beauty as a source of joy and manifestation of the creator’s love in the world. Yes, life is dynamic and it moves towards maturity. To live life well is an art, an art of becoming a lovely miracle of love.

Sr….is a beautiful and precious gift given by God to the world, to the church and very especially to our IMD community. Her commitment to God keeps her ever dynamic in her life. More over her deep-rooted faith in God makes her ever cheerful and her interest and concern over the dream of each one of us makes her dear to all.

Dear Sr….., you are God’s handiwork; you are a special blessing and a miracle of love. Your life of love and dedication speaks volumes in the history of our life at IMD. Each of us indeed has tasted your goodness and tender love and therefore it is right for us to celebrate and rejoice with you.  Its our prayer for you that in your golden lamp of devotion you may pour the perfumed oil of your life and the flickering flame of this lamp be a sign of God’s miraculous love.

Dear friends, as we celebrate this Holy Eucharist let us join with Sr…. in thanking the Lord for gift of life.

1. GLOBE

Lord we offer you this globe as the symbol of our Holy Mother church and all it’s leaders.  As we are on a journey to bring about the Kingdom of God here on earth,  we ask you send forth your Sprit and renew the hearts and minds of all religious leaders that we may become more vigorous and enthusiastic missionaries by the nourishment of the Holy Eucharist and the Divine Word and so proclaim you and your Good News of peace, love and joy not in words but in our actions.

2.  INCENSE STICKS

Incense stick is a burning oblation before God the Almighty.  It spread its sweet fragrance around as a sign of love for the Lord and the human beings.  Lord, as we offer this burning incense we thank you for the gift of  Sr. Vanita to our IMD family who spreads the fragrance of peace, joy and love around us through  her very cheerful nature and creates a family atmosphere.  You have chosen  her to be your best friend  and have called her to be a burning oblation before you.  Today on her Birth Day we pray, bless her, with your choicest blessings that she may be able to fulfill all your purposes and plans that you have for her.  Grant her  good health of both body and mind. May she find joy and fulfillment in carrying out your given tasks.  We pray for her loving mother, sisters, relatives and friends that they may experience God’s constant presence and goodness in their life.  We pray in a special way for the departed soul of Sr.Vanitha’s father that he may enjoy eternal peace in heaven. We also remember and pray for the Palotine Sisters to whom Sr.Vanitha belongs, may their mission in the church be more and more fruitful.

                                                 

3.  CROSS AND THORNS.

                                                                                 

Sing glory to the Cross of Christ.  Cross and  Thorns symbolize love, peace and forgiveness.  Through suffering and pain Jesus won victory over death and brought salvation to the world.  That is freedom from sin, darkness to light and death to life.  Lord as we celebrate the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross of Christ, we offer you all those who are celebrating their feast day today especially our sisters Sunita, Monica and Sophie, may they enjoy the love, peace and forgiveness of the Lord and so bring light to the world through their consecrated life.

4. WATER

Water symbolizes life.  It satisfies the thirsty and strengthens the weak. We offer you Lord this water along with the thousands of young minds of today, who are in search of peace, love and meaning in life.  May you fill their minds with the living water that flows from your Life Giving Word , thus they may be satisfied and enriched with your Life and Strength and be able to fulfill their dreams of life.

Grind

5. BREAD AND WINE

Many grains are crushed in order to make this bread and many grapes are pressed to prepare this wine, Lord, as we offer this bread and wine we offer you our country with all its diversities.  May you bless it with the spirit of peace, unity and brotherhood.

Introduction

Most triumph God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank you for offering us another new and bright day, a sign of you unconditional love. To day is  a joyous and rejoicing day for we celebrate the feast of the Exultation of Cross and the Birthday of our dear Sr. ……

God’s pure an unmerited love for the world is proved by the gift of His  Son Jesus on the cross. For us Christians cross is a revelation of the unconditional love of Abba Father. This cross is not a sign of death and disaster but is of victory and triumph over death, suffering and evil. The cross is a painful reality, but if it is born with love, faith and hope, becomes a sign of redemption. Cross primarily means accepting God’s love which entails sharing God’s love and dying to our selfishness and pride. When we accept suffering and struggles of life in a spirit of deep faith, can we say, that we are participating in the mystery of the cross. Jesus by dying on the cross opened the ocean of mercy to the entire world. It was gracious moment which led us  into the light of new life and hope from the darkness of our sins. Today as we celebrate the exultations of the cross let us pray for an increase of desire, love and faith to embrace the tiny crosses of our daily life.

Each new year is an occasion to begin again. Everyday is a gift offered to start anew and make our lives something beautiful for God and for others.

The Lord said “You are the light of the world”. Light by nature spreads brightness; it banishes darkness, brings warmth and joy. Jesus Christ the Light who penetrates our hearts and make visible the things that are hidden deep within and thus prepares us to be a guiding light for others.

Indeed we are glad and joyful to have one of such lights in the person of  you dear Sr. Vanitha.

Lighting the lamp

God has  chosen you as His  light to guide and to burn for the others. We remain grateful to God for filling the lamp of your life with the oil of love which you keep spreading through your goodness and kindness.

John Powell in his book “through the seasons of the hearts” writes – God sends each person into this world with a special massage to deliver, with a special song to sing, with a special act of love to bestow. And no doubt, today the Lord is waiting to give you a special message through ….

Let your light shine

Empty coconut shell: -

Coconut shell is the important part of the coconut. It gives protection and strength to the nut. It plays a vital role in many events of our life. Like, to light the fire, to make arts and crafts, musical instruments and so on. Lord, as we offer this coconut shell may you be Sr. Vanita’s strong shield to protect and guard her life. May she empty herself to become a worthy instrument in your mission.

Oil: - Oil is a symbol of consecration. It strengthens oneself. As we pour this oil may she be strengthened to make herself a gift to others in becoming oil of love to the loveless, oil of understanding to those who are struggling, oil of hope to those finding no meaning, oil of joy to those who are helpless, above all give your grace and strength to continue her mission fruitfully.  

Wick: -

Wick accepts fire and burns itself for others. We place this wick symbolizing Sr. Vanitha in this oil. She has given herself to the service of God. Lord, we thank you for her cheerfulness in carrying out her responsibilities. Today as she celebrates her birthday Lord, be with her as her constant companion. May she find happiness and joy in you all through her life.

Light: -

You are the light of the world. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl, but on the lamp stand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in Heaven.” Light is divine. It is seen as symbol of life, harmony, truth, goodness, wisdom and joy. The disciple is light and he or she is who mirrors the light of the master. Dear Sr. Vanitha, you are the light that radiates the love of the master. You are blessed   with time and talents to make others happy.  Your   simple and generous heart is always appreciated. We remember you with a heart, full of love and gratitude today and days to come.