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We come before you, Mary,
Mother of the Church and our Mother,
asking you to place under your protective mantle
this local church of the Diocese of Portland.
Like you, the Church’s first and most perfect member,
we, too, stand at the foot of the cross
as witnesses to what human sinfulness is capable
of inflicting on the body of Christ.
With you, we also know the joy of the resurrection.
Obtain for us new ardor and courage
in bearing witness to Christ
and to his victory over sin and death.
Watch over us all,
clergy, religious and laity,
with maternal care,
so that as members of one family of faith
our bonds of communion may grow stronger,
our love for one another deeper,
the practice of our faith more devout,
and our witness to Christ more heroic
for the sake of our mission
to be salt and light for the world.
We entrust our diocese to you,
Mary, Mother of God and Star of the New Evangelization.
Prayed at the Mass of Installation of the
Most Reverend Robert Peter Deeley, J.C.D.
February 14, 2014