2 January 2013 Mary, Co-redemptrix with Christ On our way towards God we gain merit in enduring storms which he permits to purify our intentions and to help us grow in the virtues. If we mind too much the obstacles on our way, we might get discouraged. Then it is time to turn to Mary, invoking her name for help. “If the winds of temptation rise against you, if you strike against the reefs of temptation, look at the star, call on Mary. ... tossed by the waves of pride, ambition, or envy, look at the star, call on Mary. If anger, greed or impurity throw themselves violently against the barque of your soul, look at Mary. If troubled by the memory of your sins, confounded at the ugliness of your conscience, fearful at the thought of judgment, and you start sinking in the bottomless pit of sadness or despair, think of Mary. “In danger, affliction, doubts, think of, call on, Mary. Don’t let Mary be apart from your tongue, don’t withdraw her from your heart to obtain her intercession, do not depart from the example of her virtue. You will not go wrong if you follow her; you will not lose heart if you pray to her; you will not be lost if you think of her. If she takes you by the hand, you will not fall; if she protects you, you will never have cause to fear; you will not grow weary if she guides you; you will reach port safely if she aids you.” (cf St Bernard, “Homily on the Virgin Mother”, 2) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 1:301-3 The Prophecy of Simeon The Holy Family went to Jerusalem to abide by two precepts of the Mosaic law -- purification of the mother; and presentation and ransoming of the first born. (cf Lev 12:2-8; Exod 13:2,12-3) Neither precept was binding on Mary nor on Jesus because of the virgin birth and the fact that Jesus is God. “Mary was purified so as to give an example of obedience and humility.” (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae” 1-2, q1, a2) On arriving at the temple, Simeon introduced himself. “... righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (cf Lk 2:25), he took the child in his arms, “blessed God, and said: ‘Lord, now let thy servant go in peace for my eyes have seen the Saviour of the world ... a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to thy people Israel’.” (cf Lk 2:29-32) Old Simeon blessed the young couple, turned to Mary and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said “... this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against; and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Lk 2:34-5) “The time will come when Jesus will not be offered in the temple nor in the arms of Simeon, but outside the city walls on the arms of a cross. ... he will not be ransomed with money but he will redeem others with his own blood, for God the Father has sent him as a ransom for his people.” (St Bernard, “Sermon 3”, On the Child, on Mary and on St Joseph) The joy of the Redemption and the pain of the Cross are inseparable in the lives of Jesus and Mary. God, through them, wished to show us that happiness is to be found by the Cross. The sword that will pierce Mary’s soul prefigures the agony of her Son, his persecution and death, the uncertainty of when these will happen, and the resistance to the grace of Redemption. Mary’s suffering is therefore, co-redemptive. “O Mother most holy and merciful, who stood by your sweet Son while he was raised on the altar of the Cross for the redemption of all mankind, you who as our co-redeemer joined your suffering to his ... conserve and increase us in the fruits of the Redemption and of your compassion.” (Pius IX, “Prayer at the close of the Jubilee Year of the Redemption”) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 1:305-11 To Jesus through Mary If we look at the world, at the People of God (Cf 1 Pet 2:10), ... we will see devotion to our Lady taking the form of many old and new customs practiced with great love. It makes me very happy to see that this devotion is always alive, awakening in Christians a supernatural desire to act as “members of God’s household” (Eph 2:19). Seeing how many Christians express their affection for the Virgin Mary, surely you also feel more to be part of the Church, closer to your brothers and sisters. Like a family reunion, grown-up children, whom life has separated, come back to their mother for some family anniversary. Even if they have not always got on well together, things are different; they feel united, sharing the same affection. Mary continually builds the Church; keeps it together. Devotion to our Lady also makes us more united to its visible head, the pope. That’s why I like to repeat: ‘All with Peter to Jesus through Mary!’ By seeing ourselves as part of the Church, we understand more deeply that we are brothers of all mankind, for the Church has been sent to all the peoples of the earth. (cf Mt 28:19) ... Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 139 • Abbey of Dunes (Abdij Ter Duinen) founded in honor of Mary. On the beach in Sint-Idesbald, Flanders, Belgium. 1128. New abbey built 1628–42 by Cistercian monks, and now a UNESCO world heritage site. The Abbey itself lies in ruins, but is a open to visitors. Article in Libraries & Culture, vol. 21, number 4, pages 778-779. The monks at the Abbey created Duinen Abbey Ales. [...founded "in the year 1128, by Fulk, a Benedictine monk. (Chronicon Bertiennae.)"] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Foundation of the Abbey of Dunes, Flanders, in honor of the Blessed Virgin (1128) (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html; www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html • Our Lady of the Pillar (Saragossa, Spain) maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html • Memorial of Panaghia Portaitissa, the Holy Guardian of the Door of Mount Athos. (http://mariedenazareth.com.)