2.6 Prayer
STAGE 2: Awareness of Self
MY WORK
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
PRAYER
Rosary
With St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, let us contemplate the influence or work of Mary in the souls.
Mary, Mother of Grace: “It was Mary who gave existence and life to the author of all grace, and because of this she is called the ‘Mother of Grace’” (SM 8).
Mary, Treasurer of all graces: “God chose her to be the treasurer, the administrator and the dispenser of all graces, so that all God’s graces and gifts pass through her hands” (SM 10).
Mary, Mother of God’s children: “As in the natural life a child must have a father and a mother, so in the supernatural life of grace the true children of the Church must have God for their Father and Mary for their mother” (SM 11).
Mary forms the disciples of Jesus: “Since Mary produced the head of the elect, Jesus Christ, she must also produce the members of that head, that is, all true Christians” (SM 12).
Mary gives the grace to bear crosses: “The crosses of those who trust themselves to her are rather like sweetmeats, i.e., ‘sweetened’ crosses rather than ‘bitter’ ones” (SM 22).
Concluding Prayer
Lord Jesus,
how lovely is your dwelling-place!
The sparrow has found a house to dwell in,
and the turtle-dove a nest for her little ones!
How happy are we to dwell in the house of Mary,
where you were the first to dwell!
Here in Mary, the home of the elect,
we draw from you alone the help we need
to climb the stairway of virtue,
to the highest possible points of perfection,
while in this vale of tears.
How lovely is your dwelling-place,
Lord, God of hosts!
[2-6] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER