ANZAC Day Liturgy of the Word
Overview
This page contains prayers to commemorate ANZAC Day in a Catholic school community context and would be suitable for staff prayer during the week of ANZAC Day and during the liturgical season of Easter. The reading and opening prayer are suitable for the Easter season.
Sacred Space
Resources:
- Fabric
- Bible
- Symbols suitable to the local context such as slouch hat, boots, badges, gum leaves, flags, wreath
- 6 small white candles, sand tray
- Printed prayer
- Recording of Last Post/Reveille
Prayer
We Gather
Acknowledgement of Country
Leader: The mercy of God flows through the land on which we gather today, let us pause in silence and acknowledge the traditional owners who have cared for this land for generations. Let us honour those elders past, present and emerging whose sacred connection with this country is a gift to us all. Today we also pay respect to those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War- those known to us by name and those whose heritage was unknown.
Introduction
Reader: ANZAC Day is a day when Australians and New Zealanders remember and honour those who fought and died for freedom. We gather not to glorify war but to remember those who have served our country during times of crisis and to reflect upon their selfless sacrifice. Conscious that there are many men and women around the world still working for peace, we hold fast to the powerful hope that peace can exist today. Let us begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Opening Prayer
Leader: Let us pray. (pause)
God of Life, In this season of Easter,
We rejoice in the New Life your Son the Risen Jesus gives us.
You offer us hope. You offer us peace.
We thank you for this treasured land of ours,
Today as we remember the ANZAC soldiers who fought to protect our country,
Help us to strive for peace in all we do.
We make our prayer in the name of our Risen Lord.
All: Amen
We Listen
Reader: A reading from the Gospel of John (15: 9,12,13)
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love… “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
The Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
We Respond
Leader: As we pray, we will bring forward candles of remembrance which remind us of the Eternal Flame which burns in war memorials across Australia.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to “love one another”. In a world where so many live in fear of being hurt or killed, of going hungry, and of losing their homes and loved ones, let us pray that we will be able to respond to Jesus’ call. The response is: Make us people of peace.
All: Make us people of peace.
Reader: God of peace, we pray for our world. (Pause.) Bless all people who work tirelessly around our world for peace and freedom. (Pause.) Hear us, loving God.
All: Make us people of peace.
Reader: God of peace, we pray for all Australians. (Pause.) Help us value our freedom, the beauty of our land and our way of life. (Pause.) Hear us, Loving God.
All: Make us people of peace.
Reader: God of peace, we pray for those whose lives have been affected by war. (Pause.) Give them hope that peace will come. (Pause.) Hear us, loving God.
All: Make us people of peace.
Reader: God of peace, we pray for all families of soldiers who have gone to war. (Pause.) Be with them in their worry and their grief. (Pause.) Hear us, loving God.
All: Make us people of peace.
Reader: God of peace, we pray for those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict. (Pause.) May they rest in peace with you. (Pause.) Hear us, loving God.
All: Make us people of peace.
Reader: God of peace, we pray for peace in our own hearts, in this community and in our family. (Pause.) May we learn to be peacemakers in our daily lives. (Pause.) Hear us, loving God.
All: Make us people of peace.
Leader: God of Peace, you sent your Son to bring peace to the world. May we follow this example in our words, thoughts and actions. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
All: Amen
Reflection
Reader: The Ode is from a poem written by Laurence Binyon entitled ‘For the Fallen’. We usually only say the last stanza of the poem. In this we call to mind those who never come back, those who never grow old. Let us reflect on what we have heard and pray for future peace as we listen.
The Ode
For the Fallen
They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, And in the morning
We will remember them. Lest we forget.
All: We will remember them. Lest we forget.
Reader: God of Peace, we pray for all who show love and peace in our world. May the message of Jesus’ love spread throughout our earth. We ask for the gift of peace in our hearts. Through Christ Our Lord,
All: Amen.
We go forth
Leader: Together, let us pray...
All: Loving God, we pray for all who demonstrate love and peace in our world. May we learn from the past and strive to spread the message of Jesus’ love throughout our earth. We ask for the gift of peace in the depth of our hearts, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Blessing
Leader: May the God of peace and friendship bless us all in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Dismissal
Leader: Go, daring to believe in a world where justice and peace will flourish.
All: Thanks be to God.
Sign of Peace
Leader: Grateful for the freedom that we know today, let us offer each other a Sign of Peace...
Advance Australia Fair