Mary Our Mother

DIOCESE OF WESTMINSTER

LET US

PRAY

Outline of this Presentation:

1. , FULL OF GRACE What do - The - Mary's choice - Mary, Mother of God and ever-virgin Catholics 2. THE LORD IS WITH YOU - The Assumption believe - Marian prayer and worship - Mary in the about Mary? 3. BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN - Honour, titles and beliefs - May, the month of Mary - Importance of colour blue and symbols

SECTION 1

HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE

TRUE OR FALSE? • Mary became the Immaculate Conception when she conceived • Mary is the mother of God – the Father, Son and Spirit • Mary is the only female who is worshipped by Catholics • Mary had a choice in God’s plan of salvation • Jesus had siblings • Mary was the first living tabernacle

WHO WAS MARY? Woman of great faith

‘Ask His mother to take you to Him.’ Mary was a woman of great faith, courage and strength.

The key beliefs the holds about Mary can be best understood as expressions of what is believed about Christ, in particular his humanity and his divinity.was a

When Francis visited Naples and spoke to a group of religious men and women, he told them that the best way to make sure that Jesus remained at the centre of their lives was to “ask his mother to take you to him.”

WHAT IS THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION? ‘I am Mary the Immaculate Conception ‘Hail Mary, full of grace ...’ (Luke 1:28)

"Mary benefited first of all and uniquely from Christ's victory over sin: She was preserved from all stain of original sin and by a special grace of God committed no sin of any kind during her whole earthly life." (CCC411)

Jesus is NOT the Immaculate Conception. It is Mary who owns this title. She is the Immaculate Conception because she herself was conceived without sin. She was the pure and spotless ‘vessel’ like the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. Many people confuse the Immaculate Conception with the Incarnation (‘virgin birth’). Another misconception is to think that Mary herself was conceived without sexual intercourse but she was conceived in the natural way.

DID MARY HAVE FREE CHOICE? Let it be done unto me according to your word (Luke 1:38)

Mary's 'yes' changed the world!

God has given all people free choice and Mary was no exception. She is the – where Eve chose to disobey God and brought sin into the world, Mary accepted God’s will whole-heartedly and brought Jesus into the world to conquer sin and death.

REFLECT/DISCUSS: What were the implications of this choice for Mary? What challenges did she face throughout her life?

HOW CAN MARY BE THE MOTHER OF GOD? ‘God-Bearer' -

The very first Eucharistic tabernacle

Since Jesus is God, Mary must be recognised as the one who bore God in her womb. She is not the mother of God the Father or the Trinity but of Jesus Christ who was true God and true man.

'For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became Man.'(Nicene Creed)

HOW WAS MARY 'EVER-VIRGIN'? ‘Woman, here is your son’, and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ (John 19:26-7)

Mother of the Church

Although the Bible refers to brothers and sisters of Jesus, it is important to remember that there is only one word in Aramaic for sibling, cousin, aunt, uncle, niece and nephew.

When Mark mentions 'brothers and sisters' of Jesus, it refers to close relatives.

The fact that Jesus entrusted Mary into the care of John at the foot of the cross implies Jesus did not have siblings.

REFLECT/DISCUSS:

What does it mean to be 'full of grace' and pure in heart? What would that have looked like then and now for those of all ages?

TRUE OR FALSE? • Mary became the Immaculate Conception when she conceived Jesus - FALSE • Mary is the mother of God – the Father, Son and Spirit - FALSE • Mary is the only female who is worshipped by Catholics - FALSE • Mary had a choice in God’s plan of salvation - TRUE • Jesus had siblings - FALSE • Mary was the first living tabernacle - TRUE

SECTION 2

THE LORD IS WITH YOU

LET US

PRAY

MATCH THE MYSTERIES Joyful Sorrowful Luminous Glorious The Institution of the Eucharist Agony in the Garden The Visitation The Resurrection The Crucifixion The Crowning of our Lady as The Presentation The Baptism of Our Lord

WHAT IS THE ASSUMPTION? Mary was assumed – taken up into heaven whereas Jesus ‘ascended’ by his own power

Queen of Heaven

Mary "having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory". (Pope Pius XII).

It is not made clear whether she 'fell asleep' or 'died' before she was taken up but it is believed that her body was not left on earth to decay and that she did not die with original sin.

DO CATHOLICS WORSHIP MARY? Only God is worthy of worship

No Mary, no Jesus!

Catholics do not, under any circumstances, worship Mary.

"For no creature could ever be counted as equal with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer" (Lumen Gentium, No 62)

The Second Council of Nicea in 787 made a clear distinction between the worship due to and the veneration that can be given to Mary, the angels and the saints. Because Mary is 'Queen of the Saints' and 'Queen of the Angels‘ and 'Mother of God', she can be accorded high veneration but can never receive the worship due to God alone.

REFLECT/DISCUSS: What is your experience of veneration to Our Lady in your school/parish environment? How might this influence you/others positively?

DO CATHOLICS PRAY TO MARY?

The ‘close and indissoluble tie’ that unites Mary to Jesus.

'The safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus.’

Mary prays or intercedes for us as she has always been close to Jesus on earth and can help to lead us to Him now. She can make requests to Him as she did at the wedding feast of Cana.

The most popular prayer is the Hail Mary which is based on Scripture (Luke 1:28 and Luke 1:43) The includes many Hail Marys and Our Lady has appeared to various people holding a Rosary and asked that we continue this prayer. It is based on the life of Jesus. The is taken from Luke's Gospel and is Mary's hymn of praise to the Lord.

There are many other prayers dedicated to Mary included Hail Holy

Queen, the and the .

WHAT ARE MARIAN APPARITIONS? and Messages

Prophecies and calls to prayer and conversion "Throughout the ages, there have been so-called 'private' revelations, some of which have been recognised by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive , but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history." (CCC 67) These include among many others: Our Lady of Fatima All apparitions are investigated and some are confirmed by the Holy See. Ultimately it is up to Catholics how much thought they give to these apparitions and messages. Some find that they are a nudge towards conversion, repentance and prayer while others do not and may have a vibrant faith life all the same. REFLECT/DISCUSS: How might the knowledge of revelations and messages affect the lives of believers, including those in your school environment?

We hear about Mary at the Visitation, the Finding of HOW IS MARY Jesus in the Temple, the Wedding at Cana, the PORTRAYED IN Crucifixion and . Mary is also mention in St SCRIPTURE? Paul's letter to the Galatians and in Revelation. ‘Do as he tells you.’

"Mary kept all these things, pondering in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

Mary is referred to throughout the Bible. Here are some references:

Isaiah:7:14 - "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Rev 11: 19-12:2 - "Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within the temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake and heavy hail. And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars..."

MATCH THE MYSTERIES Joyful Sorrowful Luminous Glorious The Institution of the Eucharist - Luminous Agony in the Garden - Sorrowful The Visitation - Joyful The Resurrection - Glorious The Crucifixion - Sorrowful The Crowning of our Lady as Queen of Heaven - Glorious The Presentation - Joyful The Baptism of our Lord - Luminous

SECTION 3

BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN

LET US

PRAY

NAME THE DATES

Assumption January 1 The Most Holy Name of Mary February 2 March 25 Mary’s Birthday August 15 Immaculate Conception September 8 Mary Mother of God September 12 7

HOW DOES THE CHURCH HONOUR MARY? May is the month of Mary

Feasts and Marian days during the liturgical year

Feast days and during the liturgical year highlight and honour an aspect of Our Lord, Mary or a saint. Marian days fall into different categories. Some commemorate a particular aspect of: Scripture eg: Annunciation Apparitions eg: Our Lady of Fatima Dogma of Mary eg: Assumption

Other feast days are based on popular .

WHY DOES MARY HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT TITLES? Blessed be the great mother of God, Mary most holy.

Blessed be the name of Mary, virgin and mother Mary has been given so many titles throughout history and they reflect different aspects of her life and nature. For example, she has titles connected to: • Events from her life eg • Dogmas and beliefs about her eg The Immaculate Conception • Geographical places eg Our Lady of Lourdes • Associated imagery and symbolism eg Our Lady Star of the Sea

The many different acknowledge the breadth of her experiences and her influence

WHAT DO OTHER CHRISTIANS THINK ABOUT MARY? Mother of Christ

Mary has a special place in the heart of Catholic Christians.

Christians believe that Mary was chosen to be the mother of Christ. In general, Mary plays a much less significant role in Protestant faiths than in Catholicism. In post-Reformation Europe, Protestants viewed Catholic devotion to Mary as excessive and non-Biblical. That feeling has persisted for many. Certain Catholic beliefs are rejected by a number of Protestants, especially the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption, Mary as ever-virgin and the role of Mary as intercessor.

REFLECT/DISCUSS:

How might Mary be viewed in your school context? Might you experience any difficulties regarding Mary?

WHY IS THE MONTH OF MAY ASSOCIATED WITH MARY? Season of new life and fertility

Oh Mary we crown you with flowers today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May. The month of May is... a month which the piety of the faithful has long dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. Our heart rejoices at the thought of the moving tribute of faith and love which will soon be paid to the Queen of Heaven in every corner of the earth. For this is the month during which Christians, in their churches and in their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God's merciful gifts comes down to us from our mother's throne. (Pope Paul VI, Mense Maio 1965)

REFLECT/DISCUSS:

How is May a special time for your school/parish community? Is there any way it could be made even more special?

WHY IS THE COLOUR BLUE ASSOCIATED WITH MARY? Queen of heaven and earth

‘Spread over the Ark of the Covenant a cloth all of blue.’ (Numbers 4:6)

Mary is traditionally referred to as the new Ark of the new Covenant so the 'cloth of blue' is appropriate for her. In the ancient world, the colour blue was associated with royalty. it is a sign of her royal dignity as queen. In Byzantine/Orthodox tradition of clothing, blue represents transcendence, mystery, and the divine. It is the colour of the sky and as a result is viewed as a heavenly colour. Blue is associated with royalty, peace and nature (sky and sea). REFLECT/DISCUSS: How does your school/class environment serve as a reminder of Mary's love and devotion to Christ and the Church?

WHAT ARE THE SYMBOLS ASSOCIATED WITH MARY? Pray for us, O holy mother of God That we may be made worthy. of the promises of Christ

Official monogram - crown and lettering (M for Mary our mother) Lily - purity and virginity Rose - Mary's mystical participation in the Trinity Iris/sword lily - Seven sorrows Fleur-de-Lis – purity Immaculate Heart (with fire, wounds/sword, flowers) M and cross - Mary at the foot of the cross R - Regina – Queen 12 stars - reference to Revelation

Click anywhere to visit this website. NAME THE DATES

Assumption August 15 The Most Holy Name of Mary September 12 Annunciation March 25 Mary’s Birthday September 8 Immaculate Conception December 8 Mary Mother of God January 1 Our Lady of the Rosary October 7

"ASK HIS MOTHER TO TAKE YOU TO HIM"

Please see our website for more resources on Mary: https://education.rcdow.org.uk/adoremus-blessed-sacrament- resources/ https://education.rcdow.org.uk/re-catholic-life/adoremus/

(My Blessed Sacrament Booklet, Guidance Notes and Supporting PowerPoint)

What have you learned/gained from these sessions?

Would this have any influence in your life/teaching?

ANY QUESTIONS?

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