1.6 Prayer

STAGE 1: Facing Reality

FALSE WISDOM

DISTORTING THE TRUTH

PRAYER

Rosary

With Mary, let us contemplate the mystery of the “Magnificat”. In this canticle Mary challenges the wisdom of the world and celebrates the Wisdom of God. (The text that follows uses an “inclusive” version).

Mary feels blessed in her lowliness: Mary said, “I acclaim the greatness of the Lord, I delight in God my saviour, who regarded my humble state. Truly from this day on all ages will call me blessed” (Lk 1:46-48).

Mercy is for those who love God: Mary said, “God, wonderful in power, has used that strength for me. Holy is the name of the Lord, whose mercy embraces the faithful, one generation to the next” (vv. 49-50).

God is mighty and the proud are scattered: Mary said, “The mighty arm of God scatters the proud in their conceit” (v. 51).

God raises the humble and fills the hungry: Mary said, “The mighty arm of God pulls tyrants from their thrones, and raises up the humble. The Lord fills the starving and lets the rich go hungry” (vv. 52-53).

God is ever faithful to the lowly: Mary said, “God rescues lowly Israel, recalling the promise of mercy, the promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham’s heirs for ever” (vv. 54-55).

Concluding Prayers

Ave Maris Stella (Just click or tap) or

“Prayer to obtain the gift of Divine Wisdom”, by Louis-Marie de Montfort.

O God of my Fathers, Lord of mercy, Spirit of truth, I prostrate before your divine Majesty, acknowledging the great need that I have of your divine Wisdom which I have lost by my sins, and trusting in the unfailing promise you have made to all those who ask you with confidence.

I come before you today and beg this grace of you, with all possible earnestness and the deepest humility. Send us, O Lord, this Wisdom ever near your throne, to strengthen our weakness, to enlighten our minds, to inflame our hearts, to speak and act, to work and suffer in union with you, to direct our footsteps and to fill our souls with the virtues of Jesus Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, for Wisdom alone contains all good.

O Father of Mercy, O God of all consolation, grant us, we beseech you, this infinite treasure of your divine Wisdom, through the merciful heart of Mary, through the Precious Blood of your dear Son, and through your intense desire to bestow your gifts on your poor creatures. Hear and grant our prayers. Amen!

[1-6] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER