3.6 Prayer
STAGE 3: In Communion with Mary
MARY AND THE CROSS
THE PONDERING WAY
PRAYER
Rosary
Let us meditate on Mary’s “pondering” in painful or apparently strange circumstances connected to her relationship with Jesus.
Mary’s pondering at the Annunciation: “The angel came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you’. But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be” (Lk 1:28-29).
Mary’s pondering at Bethlehem: “So the shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” (Lk 2:16-19).
Mary’s pondering at the presentation: “The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too’” (Lk 2:33-35).
Mary’s pondering at the finding of Jesus: “He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart” (Lk 2:49-51).
Mary’s pondering at Calvary: “Standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (Jn 19:25).
Concluding Prayer
- Litany of Our Lady (Just click or tap) or
- “Stabat Mater”, a 13th-century Catholic hymn to Mary, variously attributed to the Franciscan Jacopone da Todi (1236-1306) and to Innocent III (1161-1216).
At the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to her Son to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed.
O how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother, highly blest,
Of the sole-begotten One.
Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.
Is there one who would not weep,
Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother’s pain untold?
For the sins of His own nation,
She saw Jesus wracked with torment,
All with scourges rent:
She beheld her tender Child,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.
O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with thine accord:
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ my Lord.
Holy Mother! pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified:
Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.
Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live:
By the Cross with thee to stay,
There with thee to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of thee to give.
Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share thy grief divine;
Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of thine.
Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it hath swooned,
In His very Blood away;
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awful Judgment Day.
Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
Be Thy Mother my defence,
Be Thy Cross my victory;
While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.
[3-6] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER