THE BLESSING OF OUR ICON OF THE VIRGIN OF TENDERNESS
BISHOP ETON
SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 2021
ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD – THE VIRGIN OF TENDERNESS
This is a copy of a famous Russian icon from the 15th century of a type depicting the loving kindness to humanity, expressed in the tender embrace of the Mother of God and her son, Jesus Christ. It was written by a parishioner using traditional methods and gifted to Bishop Eton as a focus of prayer, remembrance and thanksgiving, in memory of all those who have been and are still affected by the coronavirus pandemic. May it stand with our beloved icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour as a continuing focus of prayer for us in all our needs.
Lord God, we acknowledge your infinite glory and the abundance of your gifts. Before the foundation of the world, you appointed Christ the beginning and end of all things.
You chose the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother and companion of your Son, the image and model of your Church, the Mother and advocate of us all.
She is the new Eve, through whom you restored what the first Eve had lost. She is the daughter of Zion, who echoed in her heart the longings of the Patriarchs and the hopes of Israel.
She is the poor and lowly servant, who trusted solely in her Lord. In the fullness of time, she was delivered of the Sun of justice, the dayspring from on high, Your Son, Jesus Christ. In her flesh she was his Mother, in her person, his disciple, in her love, his servant.
Almighty Father, we ask you now to Bless + and sanctify this Icon for the veneration of the Blessed Mother of Your Son under the title of the Virgin of Tenderness.
We thank you for Mary’s prayers during the difficult days of the pandemic. And now, may all who look upon this sacred image, come to know her protection and maternal care, tracing in their hearts the pattern of holiness. Bless them with faith and hope, love and humility. May they search for peace, strive for justice and realise your love, as they pursue their journey through life towards your heavenly city, where the Blessed Virgin Mary intercedes as Mother and reigns as Queen.
Father, through the intercession of our Blessed Lady, our Mother of Perpetual Succour and the Virgin of Tenderness, may your blessing reach out from this shrine to every home and family in our parish and to all who are associated with us in this devotion.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
