Saint Marie Rivier tells us: « Mary is our Mother and Guardian”
Have you ever wondered what the Blessed Virgin Mary was like?
This past weekend Sister Claudette Casavant p.m. led a short retreat with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. She used the Hail Mary as her theme. She guided us through God’s mysteries in Mary’s life and encouraged to be like Mary in all we do.
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” With these words the angel Gabriel interrupted Mary while she praying. She was startled, to say the least, but in a short dialogue with the angel, her faith and deep love of God granted her the possibility of giving an answer to this invitation to conceive and bear the Son of God, with one word –
“Fiat”. “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me, according to your word.”
Gabriel told her that her elderly cousin Elizabeth was pregnant, so in haste, she went to help her out and to share her own news. As soon as Elizabeth encountered Mary, her son John, leapt for joy in the womb, and she exclaimed,
“Blessed are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb! “(cf Luke 1:39-46)
In the mysteries of the Rosary, we meet Mary as her life unfolds in the mystery of the life of her Son. From the birth of Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem, during the exile in Egypt and during the life of Jesus in Nazareth, Mary was a bearer of this mystery which was her son.
Mary heard what the shepherds had to say about Jesus when they came to visit; she reflected on Jesus’ action and words when he remained behind in the temple; she told the servants at Cana to do what Jesus said. As a good mother, she guided and accompanied her son on his journey through childhood into adulthood. Mary lived all the mysteries of Jesus’s life with him. As the first disciple and servant of Christ, she treasured all things and events and pondered them in her heart.
As we continue to recite the Hail Mary, we ask her to “pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death”. She is always present, as she is our Mother. She was present at the cross when Jesus was crucified. At the last moment, Jesus said to his disciple John, ‘’Here is your Mother”. John then made a place for her in his home. Mary is also our mother and guardian. Let’s put all our trust in her.
I invite you to say your rosary using these words:
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.
