22 January
Blessed LAURA VICUÑA
adolescent
Laura Carmen Vicuna was born at Santiago, Chile, in 1891. Left on her own, her mother took her two daughters to Argentina for safety. In 1900 Laura became a boarder at the school of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; the following year she made her First Holy Communion and, like Dominic Savio, made the resolutions to love God with her whole being, to mortify herself and die rather than offend God; and to make Jesus known and offer reparation for the offences committed against him.
When she came to realize that her mother was living in an immoral situation, she offered herself to the Lord for her parent's conversion; she increased her acts of mortification and, with the consent of her confessor, practised by vow the evangelical counsels. Exhausted by sickness and sacrifices, she revealed to her mother on the last evening of her life: "Mamma, I am dying! A long time ago I asked Jesus to bring you back to God, and I offered my life for that intention. Mamma, before I die, please give me the joy of seeing you reconciled to God". She experienced this joy before dying on 22 January 1904.
Her mortal remains lie in the chapel of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at Bahia Blanca, Argentina. Laura, a pearl of purity, filial love and sacrifice, was beatified by John Paul II on 3 September 1988 on the Hill of the Youthful Beatitudes, near Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Asti.
The prayer texts highlight the action of God the Father, infinite in his tenderness (Coll.), who enriches his Church with the creative force of his Spirit to help us to fulfil the mystery of salvation.
Laura's life is a shining reflection of the strength of spirit and purity of innocence (Coll.) resulting from the divine work, the salvific merit of the offering of her life together with the commitment to serve the Lord with joyful and generous heart (Offert).
As they participate in this holy assembly the faithful offer their own sacrifice of praise and, throughtommunion in the bread of life, ask for new strength to constantly seek the face of God (Introit), and to grow in the daily exercise of evangelical love (Comm. ant. and prayer), lived as a dynamic expression of the happiness of the pure of heart (Coll.).
ENTRANCE ANTIPHONPs 27,8
Of you my heart has spoken: "Seek his face". It is your face, 0 Lord, that I seek.
OPENING PRAYER
Father, in your infinite tenderness,
you united strength of, spirit and purity of innocence
in the young girl Laura Vicuña;
through her intercession
give us courage to overcome the trials of life
and to show the world the happiness of the pure of heart.
We ask you this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
1st Reading: 1 Jn 3, 13-16.
Gospel: Mt 10, 28-33; or Jn 15, 9-17
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Father, may the praise we offer you be as acceptable as the sacrifice made by Laura of her young life; and as we share now in this eucharistic sacrifice sustain our resolve to serve you
with joyful and generous hearts.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
PREFACE
The example and intercession of the saints
V . The Lord be with you. And also with you.
V. Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
You renew the Church in every age
by raising up men and women outstanding in holiness,
living witnesses of your unchanging love.
They inspire us by their heroic lives,
and help us by their constant prayers
to be the living sign of your saving power.
We praise you, Lord, with all the angels and saints in their song of joy:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosannah in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosannah in the highest.
COMMUNION ANTIPHONJn 14, 21.23
"He who loves me will be loved by my Father", says the Lord;
"We will come to him, and make our abode with him."
orJn 15,9
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love".
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Father, the bread of life
nourished and sustained the spiritual growth
of Laura Vicuña;
may it also bring us new energy
in our daily exercise of evangelical love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
. Blessed LAURA VICUNA (1)
To God, the source and origin of every perfect gift, we make our prayers in faith, that the message of the Gospel may be heard throughout all nations.
I. Lord, save your people.
For the Church throughout the world: that the proclamation of the message of salvation may be welcomed with generosity and freedom of spirit through an harmonious blending of culture and Christian living, we pray to the Lord.
For bishops, priests and Christian educators: that in their work of formation to the faith they may present to young people the ideal of a life rich in Christian hope and joy, and of uprightness and service to others, we pray to the Lord.
For the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and for the Salesian Family that, in fidelity to their particular charism, they may be able to raise up in the Church new models of holiness, after the example and through the intercession of Saint Dominic Savio and Blessed Laura Vicuna, we pray to the Lord.
For young people: that being strengthened by the word of God, and sustained by the living presence of Christ the Lord, they may, through their courageous commitment, attain their aspirations for freedom, justice and peace, we pray to the Lord.
For all here present: that our sharing in this Eucharist may strengthen our docility to the will of the Father who calls us to be holy as he is holy, and to lead generous, fruitful and apostolic lives, we pray to the Lord.
Other intentions.
Great and merciful God, you have raised up religious families in the Church for the spreading of the Gospel of Christ your only Son; pour out upon your children the gift of your Spirit, that they may be able to realize in their own lives your plan of love. We ask you this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who is God and lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
Blessed LAURA VICUÑA (2)
My dear friends, let us raise our fervent prayer to God our Father, who through Christ in the Holy Spirit continues to achieve great things in the lowly and humble of heart.
I. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Church: that with motherly care she may continue to offer her children joyful and dedicated paths to holiness similar to the one chosen by Laura Vicuria, Lord hear us.
For men and women of our time: that they may be able to face up to the difficult options of an authentic Christian life with the same strength and generosity shown by the youthful Laura, Lord hear us.
For families where love is lacking: that the members may willingly accept each other and mutually seek a more conscious and committed education for their children, thus setting the foundation for a world renewed, Lord hear us.
For young people who are called, like Laura, to great ideals: that they may not imprison themselves in a life without meaning, but have the courage to accept their daily responsibilities for the establishment of the human community in justice and peace, Lord hear us.
For all of us who are taking part in this liturgy: that, animated by the same charity that prompted Laura to give her life for those she loved, we may dedicate ourselves daily to the service of God and our neighbour, Lord hear us.
Other intentions.
God our Father, you manifest the greatness of your love in the lowly and humble of heart; pour out on us the gifts of your Spirit, that we may bear witness with joy to your enlightening and life-giving word. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
