Mary brings us to her Son. It is the acid test of proper devotion to Our
Lady. Intimacy with Jesus can only be assured through sincere and
persevering prayer. Two Marian prayers which have received continuous
Papal support are the Angelus and the Rosary (M.C. ..40-55). The Angelus
commends itself on several points: its simple structure, biblical
character, historical link to the prayer for peace and safety, its
rhythm which sanctifies different moments of the day, and its
remembrance of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Rosary has
been called "the compendium of the entire Gospel". It draws from the
Gospel the mysteries and its prayers. The Rosary considers in succession
the principal salvific events accomplished in Christ. In addition to
elements of praise and petition, the quiet rhythm and lingering pace of
the Rosary is conducive to contemplation. It is highly adaptable to
individual or group recital, and is ideally suited for family prayer.
Christ is the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:4-11), and the ultimate
example for the Christian. The Catholic Church has always taught this
and nothing in its pastoral activity should obscure this teaching. The
Church has taught, however, by the Holy Spirit and by the benefit of
centuries of experience, that authentic devotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary has a great pastoral effectiveness and constitutes a force for
renewing Christian life. Ultimately, Mary challenges us with the person
and message of Jesus: "Do whatever he tells you." (Jn. 2:5)
Christ
is the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:4-11), and the ultimate example
for the Christian. The Catholic Church has always taught this and
nothing in its pastoral activity should obscure this teaching. The
Church has taught, however, by the Holy Spirit and by the benefit of
centuries of experience, that authentic devotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary has a great pastoral effectiveness and constitutes a force for
renewing Christian life. Ultimately, Mary challenges us with the person
and message of Jesus: "Do whatever he tells you." (Jn. 2:5)
In the public life of Jesus, Mary makes significant appearances. This is
so even at the very beginning, when at the marriage feast of Cana,
moved with pity, she brought about by her intercession the beginning of
miracles of Jesus the Messiah. In the course of her Son's preaching she
received the words whereby in extolling a kingdom beyond the
calculations and bonds of flesh and blood, He declared blessed those who
heard and kept the word of God, as she was faithfully doing. After this
manner the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and
faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross, where
she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, grieving exceedingly with
her only begotten Son, uniting herself with a maternal heart with His
sacrifice, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this Victim
which she herself had brought forth. Finally, she was given by the same
Christ Jesus dying on the cross as a mother to His disciple with these
words: "Woman, behold thy son".
The Magnificat
My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; And his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever