SWEET VIRGIN MOTHER, INCOMPREHENSIBLE MORNING STAR, as the grey gauze of predawn is lifted, send down upon me sufficient
graces to live this day inmanner pleasing to God.
All that I have and am and wish to be, I offer to you to take it in Your Immaculate Hands, I entreat You, and by the power
invested in You, transform my humble gift into an offering worthy of Your Divine Son.
Dear Mary, before this new day is born, instill within me the courage to carry my cross inway that will merit Your smile of
approval when this day is ended. Should protest arise, quiet my lips with the sound of Your sweet name.
Should annoyances or injustices tempt me to give vent to my feelings, place before me the vision of Christ Crucified, silently
accepting the cruel taunts of the blood-thirsty mob. And should the cold fingers of loneliness and despair clutch me, flood my soul
with the reassuring warmth of Your Love!
Before I close my eyes again and rest, let me thank You for honoring me, Your unworthy slave, with Your presence and benediction.
And now adding my praises to those of the angels, I promise to pay You homage forever and ever. Amen.
Mary Ellen Kelly
We began our day with an hour of silent prayer in the Field at 5:00 a.m., often heading to Mass afterwards, for the concecrated singles and heads of the housholds. Our first prayer for all the community is at 8:00 a.m. before we begin our work greeting Our Lady with the Prayer at Dawn.
