Mary

Hail Mary (Please memorize)

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst 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.

Hail Holy Queen (Please memorize)

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, 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, O 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!

Prayer in Honor of Mary's Courage

Mary, you heard a voice. You answered, "Yes," risking shame and disgrace, ridicule and rejection. Still, you said, "Yes." Yes, to the promise you received from God. Yes, to the birth of a firstborn son. Let your trust be our inspiration, your faith be our guide, your hope our course for courage. This we ask in the name of the child you bore, the Savior of the world, who came through God's abiding love and your spoken word. Yes. So be it.

Amen.

Who is Mary for you?

Mary mentioned in the Old Testament

The following, among others are believed to be prophecies about Mary:

Genesis mentions : “..a woman who will crush the serpent..”
Isaiah, mention about “..a virgin shall conceive a son and his name will be Emmanuel..”
Jeremiah, mention about “..a woman shall protect a man..”

Mary mentioned in the New Testament

THE ANNUNCIATION - Gospel of Luke 1:26-38

AN ANGEL APPEARS TO JOSEPH IN A DREAM - Gospel of Matthew 1:18-21

THE VISITATION - Gospel of Luke 1:39-45

THE NATIVITY - Gospel of Luke 2:1-7

THE VISIT OF THE MAGI - Gospel of Matthew 2:9-12

SIMEON AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHRIST CHILD - Gospel of Luke 2:28-35

THE FLIGHT TO EGYPT - Gospel of Matthew 2:13-15

THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE - Gospel of Luke 2:40-52

THE SON OF MARY - Gospel of Mark 6:3

THE WEDDING FEAST AT CANA - Gospel of John 2:1-10

MARY AND JOHN AT THE CROSS - Gospel of John 19:26-27

THE UPPER ROOM BEFORE PENTECOST - Acts of the Apostles 1:12-14

THE WOMAN OF REVELATION - Revelation 11:19-12:6

Was Mary REALLY married to Joseph?

Mary had been already given to Joseph in betrothal. In the Jewish tradition of that time, betrothal was considered to be real marriage, though couples did not live together. Therefore, Mary’s appearing pregnant after 3 months spent with Elizabeth could not astonish anyone except Joseph. He wanted to put her away privately, but he decided to marry her after the angel’s inspiration to him.

Church’s teaching on Mary

From what preceded, it might sound strange that Catholics accord too much importance to Mary who is listed very few times in the 4 Gospels, but different Popes spoke out through the ages about Her:

431, Pope Celestine l: “The Mother of God”

649, Pope Martin I: “The Perpetual Virginity”

1854, Pope Pius IX: “The immaculate conception”, or “conceived without the original sin”.

Church believes that every human being is born with “Adam’s original sin”, and redeemed only by Jesus’ blood. Jesus’ redeeming power went back to Mary so she became the only exception in the human being, making Jesus’ conception in a “Pure” womb, as He “was with no sin”

1950, Pope Pius XI: “The Assumption of Mary into heaven”. She was taken up to heaven body and soul. The Western Church believes in the tradition that she died of love by desiring very strongly to unite to her Son. The Eastern Churches believe she was taken up to heaven in her sleep – thus The Dormition of Our Lady.

1964, Pope Paul VI: “Mother of the Church”

Do Catholics Adore Mary?

Catholics do not worship Mary, but simply honor her. Honoring Mary is honoring Jesus: Who would visit a person without saying hello to his mother?

According to the “Communion of Saints” teaching of the Catholic Church, Saints can still pray with us and intercede for us to God, even if they no longer exist among us. Mary is considered the Saint of the Saints.

Mary prophesied (in Luke’s Gospel) when she was at Elizabeth’s house: “All generation will call me blessed”.

So can we at least Pray to Mary?

People could surely pray directly to God. But lots might have problems with the image of God or Jesus (representing the authority, the judge, etc...). Having a refuge in Mary is like a kid who is asking for his mother’s protection when he is in bad with his father. And all Mary’s aim is to lead us to her Son. She doesn’t seek anything for herself. We do not pray to Mary, but rather we pray Mary to pray for us to Jesus’ Heart (intercede). In a certain way, it becomes: Pray with Mary.

The “Hail Mary”

In the first part of “Hail Mary” prayer, we repeat the Angel Annunciation to her. In the second, we ask for Mary to pray for us.

The Rosary (Handout)

It is a prayer which started at the beginning of 12th century.

To pray it, we recite 1 “Our Father” followed by 10 “Hail Mary” prayers. In all we repeat this 5 times. Each group of prayers is called a Decade.

The aim is to meditate into the different aspects of Jesus throughout this prayer since every Mystery is dedicated to one phase of Christ’s mission: 5 Joyful (Christ’s childhood), 5 Luminous (Christ’s Life), 5 Sorrowful (Christ’s suffering), and 5 Glorious (Christ’s Resurrection). The “Hail Mary” prayers become like the “back ground” music while we meditate.

The Litany (Handout)

This is a devotion to Our Lady in the form of a list of praises made up over hundreds of years past. One recites the list while the others respond with ‘Pray for us’. Mary is known by these titles and many others which are not included in this list (generally recited after the Rosary). (There are other Litanies.)

Was Mary really a virgin?

The Church consider that Matthew’s citation “Joseph didn't have relations with Mary until Jesus was born”, was only to emphasis the fact that the Holy Spirit was Jesus' father and not Joseph.

In Luke’s Gospel, Mary’s answered to the angel “how shall this be done, because I know not man”. She was old enough to know how a child is sexually conceived.

Mary’s apparitions

Among the authenticated apparitions: -Lourdes (France, late 1900) -Fatima (Portugal, 1912)

The most famous one in modern time is at Medjugorje (Croatia, started late 1980), but has not been authenticated yet by the Church.

What are the different situations that Mary passed through, that we could be identified to her?

How can we relate these issues to our own life in this modern world?

Virginity (she trusted God and didn’t care about Joseph reaction about her pregnancy).
humility (serve others)
pregnancy (abortion)
guilt (when she lost her son for 3 days)
confusion (about the real mission of Christ)
sorrow (before Christ crucifixion)
etc.

THE PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY

The Apostles Creed:

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; the third day he rose again; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom shall have no end. 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.

The Our Father:

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 let us not fall into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

The Hail Mary (prayed on each ten beads)

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

The Glory Be (prayed on each single bead)

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.

Prayer of Fatima (prayed after each Glory Be)

Oh, My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy Mercy.

The Hail, Holy Queen (prayed at the conclusion of the Rosary.)

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary - Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation of God's Plan to Mary (humility)

2. The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (charity)

3. The Nativity (love of God)

4. The Presentation of the baby Jesus at the temple (spirit of sacrifice)

5. The Finding of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple (zeal)

The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)

1. The Baptism of the Lord (call to conversion)

2. The Wedding at Cana (all is possible for God)

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom (the Good News)

4. The Transfiguration (have Faith)

5. The Institution of the Eucharist (spiritual nourishment)

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. Agony in the garden at Gethsemane (true repentance)

2. Scourging of Jesus at the pillar (mortification)

3. Crowning with thorns (moral courage)

4. Carrying of the Cross to Calvary (patience)

5. The Crucifixion (final perseverance)

The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)

1. The Resurrection (faith)

2. The Ascension of Jesus into heaven (hope)

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (zeal)

4. The Assumption of Mary into heaven (happy death)

5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven (love for Mary)

The Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary (may be recited after the Rosary)

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, “ “

God the Holy Spirit, “ “

Holy Trinity, one God, “ “

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, “ “

Holy Virgin of virgins, “ “

Mother of Christ, “ “

Mother of the Church,

Mother of divine grace,

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste,

Mother inviolate,

Mother undefiled,

Mother immaculate,

Mother most amiable,

Mother most admirable,

Mother of good counsel,

Mother of our Creator,

Mother of our Savior,

Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable,

Virgin most renowned,

Virgin most powerful,

Virgin most merciful,

Virgin most faithful,

Mirror of justice,

Seat of wisdom,

Cause of our joy,

Spiritual vessel,

Vessel of honor,

Singular vessel of devotion,

Mystical rose,

Tower of David,

Tower of ivory,

House of gold,

Ark of the covenant,

Gate of heaven,

Morning star,

Health of the sick,

Refuge of sinners,

Comforter of the afflicted,

Help of Christians,

Queen of angels,

Queen of patriarchs,

Queen of prophets,

Queen of apostles,

Queen of martyrs,

Queen of confessors,

Queen of virgins,

Queen of all saints,

Queen conceived without original sin,

Queen assumed into heaven,

Queen of the most holy rosary,

Queen of families,

Queen of peace,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Grant, we beseech you, O Lord God, that we, your servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.