Mary, Mother of God

Hail, God’s Palace; Hail Tabernacle of the Most High; Hail, House of God;
Hail, his Holy Vestments; Hail, Handmaid of God.
St. Francis of Assisi

Opening Prayer

The Creator revealed a new creation when He came down to us, His Creation. He came forth from a womb that had received no seed, preserving it intact as it was before, so that seeing this miracle we might sing to the Mother of God:

Rejoice, flower of incorruption.
Rejoice, garland of purity.
Rejoice, for you shine as a sign of the resurrection.
Rejoice, for you reveal the life of the angels.

Rejoice, tree of glorious fruit from which the faithful feed.
Rejoice, shady glen where many find shelter.
Rejoice, for you gave birth to the Saviour of the captives.
Rejoice, for you gave birth to the Guide of those astray.

Rejoice, intercessor with the Righteous Judge.
Rejoice, forgiveness of many sins.
Rejoice, hope of the hopeless.
Rejoice, tenderness beyond all expectations.

Rejoice, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!

From: The Akathist to Our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God

Introduction

A picture of Mary and her role emerged very early on in the Church that was remarkably complete, showing the Church’s warmth and love for her. Some of the most beautiful liturgical poetry has been written in her honour. Mary is known as Jesus’ first disciple. She is also truly the mother of God because Jesus is God.

To help us meet the challenge of discipleship, during the WYD 2003 address, Pope John Paul II encouraged all young people to receive Mary into our homes as a mother, teacher and intercessor so that she can help form in us a “disciple’s heart able to listen to her Son, who reveals the face of his Father and the true dignity of the human person.”

Some key Scripture passages about Mary:
Luke 1:26-56
John 19:25-27
Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4

From the Catechesis:

CCC963:  … “The Virgin Mary … is acknowledged and honoured as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer … She is ‘clearly the mother of the members of Christ’ … since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head.” “Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church.”

CCC967:  By her complete adherence to the Father’s will, to his Son’s redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church’s model of faith and charity. Thus she is a “preeminent and … wholly unique member of the Church”; indeed, she is the “exemplary realization” [typus] of the Church.

CCC969:  “This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation … Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.”

CCC973: By pronouncing her “fiat” [decree, ‘let it be done’] at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Saviour and head of the Mystical Body.

CCC974:  The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body.

CCC975:  “We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ” [Paul VI, CPG 15].

Questions

How is Mary important to you?

Do you find anything confusing about the Church’s teaching about Mary?

Use the catechesis points provided in the introduction to help you answer questions. One of the most common confusions is that of the Immaculate Conception. It refers to her birth not Jesus’. It means that Mary was conceived without original sin because of God’s special plan for her.

Mary is the Mother of God. Since she carried him in her womb, Mary is sometimes called and Ark or a Tabernacle.

How can we and how do we carry the Word of God, too?

In traditional icons of Mary she is always depicted with Jesus. Usually she is in some way or another pointing to him, directing us to him.

How do you think Mary directs us to God?

Mary’s “yes” to God showed her willingness to accept God’s will despite being confused by the request. She was a poor, powerless girl and yet she had the faith and courage to say “yes.” She had spunk!

How are we both personally and as a community being asked to say “yes” to God?

Understanding

Split the participants into small groups of about 5. Ask them to share stories with each other about people they know that have said “yes” to God for something. Ask each group to pick one story to share with the larger group.

Split the participants into three groups. Assign each group one of the following passages from Luke’s Gospel: Luke 1:26-34; Luke 1:35-38; Luke 1:39-49. Ask each group to rewrite the passage as a dialogue and then present this.

Have you ever been asked to do something hard and/or confusing?
What made you decide to do it?
How did it feel once you made that decision?

Reflection

Use the lectio divina resource in the prayer section and pray with the Magnificat:

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
For he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
            Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
For the Mighty One has done great things for me,
            And holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
            From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
            He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
            And lifted up the lowly;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
            And sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
            In remembrance of his mercy,
According to the promise he made to our ancestors
            To Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Luke 1: 46-55

Closing Prayer

Consider praying the rosary as your closing prayer. If you are not able to do so because of time, pray one decade. You can find a resource on how to pray the rosary in the prayer section of the OCY website.

Or, simply:

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.