As Catholics, we believe that Mary was the mother of Jesus and is then in turn our mother as well. Most people probably don't acknowledge her in their daily lives. Without her role in God's plan, Jesus would not have been born and walked among us. When the angel come to her and told her that "God has found favor with her" and asked her to be the mother of his son our Lord, she did not hesitate. Do we hesitate? Do we live our lives as we should? Are we finding favor with God? As a Christian, it means to be "Christ Like." Are we living our lives Christ like?
We should all get to know our mother better, not only in praying the rosary everyday, but in simply asking her for help as we do of our paternal mother. We should feel free to talk to her, Jesus The Holy Spirit and God as if they were right next to us because they are! Even when you are by yourself, do not despair because they are with you. They all love us and care about us. Many Catholic POW's were comforted in know that.
All "non catholic religions" do not accept the idea of the "virgin birth of Jesus." They simply say she was the mother of Jesus and not much more than that. They do not give her a second thought or much credit for being involved. Mary appeared to many people through-out the world and has asked us as Catholics to pray the rosary and to live by God's commandments. May is Mary's month for remembrance.
Check out these web sites about the many images and devotions of The Blessed Virgin Mary:
The following prayers are from the prayerbook, "Blessed Is She, Daily Reflections on the Magnificat" by The Servants of Mary of Berwyn Illinois. This Order has been together for over 750 years of service. Based on Luke 1: 46-55.
We learn a lot about Mary from the prayer she prays. Mary's prayer is not a sad prayer or a weak prayer. It is a joyful prayer, a prayer of trust and confidence that God will continue to be close to those who seek to do his will. Mary proclaims her prayer boldly, for she knows God more intimately than any other human being in history. Let us join Mary in her prayer:
"My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior."
Some people just radiate God's love. Their joy exceeds the bounds of this world. Mary was one of those people. She didn't have to be "preachy," because you sensed the presence of God just from meeting her. "Lord, make my life more of a sign to the world of your love for all people. When I speak, let my words serve to build up the Body of Christ."
"For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed."
Why is Mary called "blessed?" Is it simply because she is the mother of the savior? No. For when a woman from the crowd shouted, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, " Jesus said in reply, "Blessed are they who hear my word and keep it." Mary received the Word at Gabriel's invitation, and kept it- no matter how hard life became. "Help me Lord to be as open and receptive to your word as Mary was. Help me to be faithful to your word in good times and bad."
"God who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age on those who fear him."
What had Mary done to merit the honor God had bestowed upon her? Mary shows us what real humility is about. It's not saying to yourself, how worthless I am; it's saying to saying to yourself, how great I am because of God's graces. "Lord keep me from becoming so proud of myself that I forget the source of my accomplishments; but never let me get so down on myself that I think I'm not capable of doing good."
" He has shown might with his arm: he has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places. The hungry he has given every good thing: while the rich he has sent empty away"
That's the way God is. Mary knows that from experience. he takes a special interest in those who are without the basic necessities of life, who have no voice in the way things are decided, who don't count for much in the eyes of the world. "Lord, let my devotion to Mary always remind me of your concern for the poor and the lowly. Show me what I can do to help those in need."
"He has upheld Israel his servant, ever mindful of his Mercy; Even as he promised our fathers Abraham and his descendants forever."
Mary knew that God fulfills his promises. But sometimes it's hard to wait. Sometimes I get anxious because things aren't happening as fast as I think they should. "Lord help me to live a life of waiting on you, as Mary did. Share with me some of Mary's patience and hope. And when my life is over, let me enjoy the fullness of your love in heaven."
A Prayer to the Blessed Virgin that has never been known to fail.
"Oh most beautiful, flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh star of the sea, help me and show me you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you, from the bottom of my heart to succor me in necessity (state your request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (say 3 times). Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands (say 3 times)". Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. Publish it to others and it will be granted to you. Gratefully thanks. Our Blessed Mother has visited us all over the world. Please check out these other web sites:
HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY © 2011 Knights of Columbus
1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles’ Creed.”
2. Say the “Our Father.”
3. Say three “Hail Marys.”
4. Say the “Glory Be.”
5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the “Our Father.”
6. Say ten “Hail Mary’s,” while meditating on the Mystery.
7. Say the “Glory Be,” then say the “Fatima Prayer.”
8. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the “Our Father.” Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with Third, Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.
9. Say the “Hail Holy Queen.”
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
Say at the end of the Rosary: Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy! Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
O God, whose only begotten Son, by his Life, Death and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that we who meditate on these mysteries of the
most holy Rosary of the blessed Virgin Mary, may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
MYSTERIES
JOYFUL MYSTERIES (Monday and Saturday) Annunciation; Visitation; Nativity; Presentation; Finding in the Temple
THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT (Thursday) Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan; Manifestation of Jesus at the Wedding at Cana; Proclamation of the Kingdom of God; Transfiguration of Jesus;
Institution of the Eucharist
SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (Tuesday and Friday) Agony in the Garden; Scourging at the Pillar; Crowning with Thorns; Carrying of the Cross; Crucifixion
GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (Wednesday and Sunday) Resurrection; Ascension; Descent of Holy Spirit; Assumption; Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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