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Pope John Paul II's Encyclical on Mary: Redemptoris Mater
Other Encyclicals with specific sections on the Blessed Mother:
Mary in Ecclesia de Eucharistia
Mary in Vertatis Splendor
Mary in Dominum et vivificantem
What the Bible Says about Mary's role in the Church
MOTHER OF MERCY
"When Mary visited Elizabeth
she proclaimed on the threshold
of her kinswoman's house:
"His mercy is...from generation
to generation." (Luke 1:50)
"No one has experienced,
to the same degree as the
Mother of the crucified One,
the mystery of the cross, the
overwelming encounter of divine
transcenent justice with
love: that "kiss" given by
mercy to
justice.(Ps 85(84):11)....
Mary, then, is the one who
has the deepest knowledge
of the mystery of God's mercy.
She knows its price, she knows
how great it is. In this sense
we call her the Mother of mercy:
our Lady of mercy, or
Mother of divine mercy;...
these titles express the
special preparation of her soul,...
that mercy of which "from generation
to generation" people become
sharers according to the eternal
design of the most Holy Trinity."
See Pope John Paul II,
Encyclical letter:
Dives in misericordia
Hail Mary in Latin
Ave, Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum; benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
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.
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"Mary was happier for laying hold of Christ's faith than for conceiving his flesh." St. Augustine, On Holy Virginity (De Sancta Virginitate. 3,3). Hippo 426-427 AD
As Singles of the Eucharist explore living a life centered on the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II wrote, "Above all suggested once again the need for a Eucharistic spirituality and pointed to Mary, 'woman of the Eucharist', as its model." "The Eucharistic Bread which we receive is the spotless flesh of her son: Ave verum corpus natum de Maria Virgine".(See Apostolic letter Mane Noviscum Domine).
Our Blessed Mother was the first Tabernacle or Monstrance to hold the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Singles of the Eucharist, we honor her and ask for her intercession in prayer as we strive to live a life centered upon her Son in the Blessed Sacrament.
MYSTERIES OF MARY
Read about the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this ancient Homily given by St. John Damascene. His feast day is December 4th.
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY INTO HEAVEN
"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet,
and on her head, a crown of 12 stars." Revelation 12:1
Feast of the Immaculate Conception is December 8th.
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AS THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
The Word from Rome:
Mary Immaculate Extolled as Icon of Divine Charity
Papal Message Sent by Secretary of State
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 7, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The Immaculate Conception is an "icon of beauty and of divine charity," says the Vatican's secretary of state in a message sent in Benedict XVI's name.
With the papal message, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone greeted the participants in the 11th public session of the Holy See's pontifical academies, held today at the New Synod Hall.
This year's event was organized by the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate and the Pontifical International Marian Academy, on the theme "Mary Immaculate, Mother of All Men, Icon of Beauty and of Divine Charity."
Cardinal Bertone clarified that this theme "seeks to underline precisely the singular participation of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of all men, in the mystery of God, sublime mystery of beauty and charity."
"God, One and Triune, who diffuses his beauty and charity in the world he created, communicates, in a particular manner these qualities of his to human creatures through the most perfect Mediator, his Son Jesus Christ, molding them and sanctifying them with the power of the Holy Spirit, so that they will be holy and immaculate in his presence through charity," the message continued.
However, the cardinal added, "Mary of Nazareth is distinguished among all creatures as resplendent mirror of divine beauty as, having been 'preserved' from original sin and full 'of grace,' she is so animated and penetrated by the charity of the Holy Spirit that she has become the prototype of the human person, who in the most total manner and without any reservations, receives the Son of God in the tragic hour of his passion and in the resurrection.
"Being profoundly united to Christ, crucified and risen, Mary is revealed as Mother of the whole of humanity and, in particular, of the disciples of the Son."
Mother of believers:
Cardinal Bertone quoted Benedict XVI's encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est," which states: "Mary has truly become the Mother of all believers. Men and women of every time and place have recourse to her motherly kindness and her virginal purity and grace, in all their needs and aspirations, their joys and sorrows, their moments of loneliness and their common endeavors.
"They constantly experience the gift of her goodness and the unfailing love which she pours out from the depths of her heart. The testimonials of gratitude, offered to her from every continent and culture, are a recognition of that pure love which is not self-seeking but simply benevolent."
Through the message, the Holy Father encourages everyone to study the figure of Mary to go further in their discovery of the "path of truth" and "of beauty," which are contained in the "path of charity."
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Feast of the Annunciation:
The event that pre-dawned the birth of the Incarnate God to mankind. The event that righteth the "no" of Eve. The event the type of "yes" to God that follows the "yes" of Abraham. The event that heralds the coming of the New Covenant of God with His people. The event that teaches us how to respond to God with obedience of heart mind and soul. So much more could be said. Let us rejoice and be glad. Here is what Mary said to the Angel:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Scripture:(Luke 1: 41-45) Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition.
PRAYERS TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER
Make an Act of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Entrust to her your cares and concerns. She will take them to her Son, Jesus Christ to be considered for answering.
CONSECRATION TO MARY
ACT OF ENTRUSTMENT TO MARY
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