3.5 Prayer
STAGE 3: In Communion with Mary
MARY AND THE CHURCH
THE MATERNAL WAY
PRAYER
Rosary
Let us contemplate the unique presence of Mary in the mystery of Christ and the mystery of the Church.
The Incarnation: The mother of Jesus was there. “It was in this mystery that Jesus, in the womb of Mary and with her cooperation, chose all the elect” (TD 248).
The Visitation: The mother of Jesus was there. “It was by her word that Jesus sanctified St. John the Baptist in the womb of his mother, St. Elizabeth; no sooner has Mary spoken than John was sanctified” (TD 19).
The Nativity: The mother of Jesus was there. “It was Mary who nursed him, fed him, cared for him, reared him and sacrificed him for us” (TD 18).
The Presentation: The mother of Jesus was there. “He glorified his independence and his majesty in depending upon this lovable virgin in his conception, his birth, his presentation in the temple, and in the thirty years of his hidden life” (TD 18).
The Finding in the Temple: The mother of Jesus was there. “Through this mystery and her intercession we ask for true wisdom” (MR 8).
Concluding Prayer
O Blessed Virgin Mary, the basic reason why you are Mother of the Church is that you are the Mother of God and the associate of Christ in His saving work.
Another reason is that you shine as the model of virtues for the whole community of the elect. You exemplified in your own life the beatitudes preached by your Divine Son. Hence, you are the perfect model for the imitation of Christ on the part of all human beings.
Obtain for us the graces we need to follow your example. Teach us to practise the beatitudes proper to our state and to rejoice in being known as your children who are members of the Church of God.
Let us work for the unity of the Church, which your Son desired on earth and which you now pray for in heaven. Lead the whole human race to acknowledge Christ Jesus, the one true Saviour.
Drive from our midst all the calamities provoked by sin, and bring us that peace which consists in truth, justice, liberty and love. Amen.
[3-5] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER