3 Lessons for Living Mary Teaches Us
Today is the feast of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, celebrated
by the Daughters of St. Paul and the rest of the Institutes of the Pauline Family founded by
Blessed Father James Alberione. As our mother, teacher, and queen, Mary teaches us three important lessons for life:
1) God knows the power of a mother’s love. He specially chose Mary as the mother of His son. Before dying on the cross, Jesus gave Mary to be the mother of all his followers, symbolized by the apostle John who stood next to her. In the Cenacle, Mary implored the gift of the Holy Spirit for all the apostles that they might bear Christ in their lives and in their mission. We don’t find a business or organization or by-laws at the source of our Christian heritage: we find a mother, we find Mary.
In all those who imitate Mary, we find the power of motherhood which brings Christ into the world. As Daughters of St. Paul, the books and music and apps and videos and radio programs we produce become the means of “mothering” Christ in the lives of men and women we may never personally meet.
What is your special way of bringing Christ into the world?
Today is the feast of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, celebrated
by the Daughters of St. Paul and the rest of the Institutes of the Pauline Family founded by
Blessed Father James Alberione. As our mother, teacher, and queen, Mary teaches us three important lessons for life:
1) God knows the power of a mother’s love. He specially chose Mary as the mother of His son. Before dying on the cross, Jesus gave Mary to be the mother of all his followers, symbolized by the apostle John who stood next to her. In the Cenacle, Mary implored the gift of the Holy Spirit for all the apostles that they might bear Christ in their lives and in their mission. We don’t find a business or organization or by-laws at the source of our Christian heritage: we find a mother, we find Mary.
In all those who imitate Mary, we find the power of motherhood which brings Christ into the world. As Daughters of St. Paul, the books and music and apps and videos and radio programs we produce become the means of “mothering” Christ in the lives of men and women we may never personally meet.
What is your special way of bringing Christ into the world?
3 Ways to Love Mary
It’s May, the beautiful month in which we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in a special way. Devotion to Mary is very much a part of Catholic life, but people may not always feel a close connection with her. Yet as our spiritual mother, Mary is always ready to help us with whatever we need. From the cross, Jesus himself gave Mary to us as our mother. He told the beloved disciple, who represents all of us, “Behold, your mother!” (Jn 19:27). Here are three easy ways to reconnect with Mary and make her a part of your life.
1. Discover (or rediscover) the Rosary
The rosary combines simple vocal prayers with thinking about the lives of Jesus and Mary. Each decade offers one of these “mysteries” to consider while praying. It helps us ponder what Jesus did and taught in the Gospel. If you need a refresher course on how to pray the rosary, it is easy to find info online, or in the many booklets available. Blessed Pope John Paul called the rosary a “sweet chain linking us to God.”
2. Read and pray with some of the Gospel texts in which Mary appears.
Although they are few, they are very rich and show us how she acted toward God and others. In the Annunciation she freely accepted God’s invitation to become the mother of Jesus and turned her life over to the Lord (see Luke 1:26-38). At Cana she thought of the young couple’s dilemma and wanted to spare them any embarrassment (see John 2:1-12). After Jesus ascended into heaven, Mary prayed with the apostles and other disciples and was present when the Holy Spirit descended on them all (see Acts 1:14ff.).
Deepen your love for Mary with The Beauty of Mary – on sale
3. Learn something about Mary
The Catholic Church not only has a rich teaching about Mary, but through the centuries Catholic writers have pondered who Mary is and what she means for us. She plays a great part in our spirituality, and countless books have been written about her. The University of Dayton has the Marian library, an incredible collection of books, papers, and artwork all on the subject of Mary. You can begin to investigate this at their website: www.udayton.edu/mary
If you make Mary a part of your spiritual life, you will find that she will lead you closer to Jesus, her Son and our Savior.
Sr. Marianne Lorraine, FSP
Daughter of St. Paul
Keep Your Eyes on Christ
“The Lord is calling me ‘out to the mountain’ to devote more time to prayer and meditation, but this does not mean I’m abandoning the Church.” –Pope Benedict XVI, in his final Sunday Angelus address as Pope.
I remember the last World Youth Day led by Pope John Paul II in 2002, in Toronto, Canada. I was standing in the immense sea of young adults at the end of the final Mass. At the close of World Youth Day, it was customary for John Paul to announce where the next World Youth Day was being held by saying, “I will see you at the next World Youth Day in…” A wave of sadness swept over me when he didn’t say those words. He simply announced where it would be. Silently he told us that he would not be there.
I remember also the first World Youth Day led by Pope Benedict XVI almost 8 years ago in his native Germany, 2005. The eyes of the world were on the new Pontiff. Perhaps unconsciously we were wondering how he would “perform” after what we had experienced with the leadership of John Paul II. I remember almost getting the goose bumps as I watched on TV the Vigil held at Marienfield the night before the Final Mass. After exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration, Benedict slipped away quietly, leaving all eyes on Jesus in the Eucharist, gazing on the mystery of his self-giving and limitless love by which we have been filled with eternal joy. Read more >>
A Nod to Prayer
“And he said to them, ‘Come away privately, just yourselves, to a desert place and rest for a bit’ (Mk 6:31).”
“Oh, I can’t possibly. I’m so tired!” Have you ever heard yourself utter these words when invited to drop by Church after work for the rosary or a novena? And what about a few minutes for night prayer before retiring?
Now imagine what you will be doing with that half-hour or those few minutes you cannot spare. “But, I really am tired,” you say. Of course, you are tired from a day of working or even studying. You should be tired. But, does life end because we are tired? No, we come home and make supper, pick up the kids, walk the dog, clean the dishes, straighten and dust, pay some bills, prepare for tomorrow, and so much more. After that you are even more tired. Welcome to your very normal life! Read more >>
Prayer for a Grace-Filled New Year
May you be aware of all the places your feet carry you in the New Year and conscious that “The feet of those who bring glad tidings are blessed indeed.”
May you have compassion so deep that you can taste the tears of all your brothers and sisters who know pain and hurt in the far corners of the world.
May you be the one with welcome written… Read more >>
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