THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LADY
This great festival takes its name from the happy tidings brought by the angel
Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin, concerning the Incarnation of the Son of God. It
commemorates the most important embassy that was ever known: an embassy sent by
the King of kings, performed by one of the chief princes of His heavenly court;
directed, not to the great ones of this earth, but to a poor, unknown virgin,
who, being endowed with the most angelic purity of soul and body, being withal
perfectly humble and devoted to God, was greater in His eyes than the mightiest
monarch in the world. When the Son of God became man, He could have taken upon
Him our nature without the cooperation of any creature; but He was pleased to
be born of a woman. In the choice of her whom He raised to this most sublime of
all dignities, He pitched upon the one who, by the riches of His grace and
virtues, was of all others the most holy and the most perfect. The design of
this embassy of the archangel is to give a Saviour to the world, a victim of
propitiation to the sinner, a model to the just, a son to this Virgin,
remaining still a virgin, and a new nature to the Son of God, the nature of
man, capable of suffering pain and anguish in order to satisfy God's justice
for our transgressions.
When the
angel appeared to Mary and addressed her, the Blessed Virgin was troubled: not
at the angel's appearance, says St. Ambrose, for heavenly visions and a
commerce with the blessed spirits had been familiar to her; but what alarmed
her, he says, was the angel's appearing in human form, in the shape of a young
man. What might add to her fright on the occasion was his addressing her in
words of praise. Mary, guarded by her modesty, is in confusion at expressions
of this sort, and dreads the least appearance of deluding flattery. Such high
commendations make her cautious how she answers, till in silence she has more
fully considered of the matter: "She revolved in her mind," says St.
Luke, "what manner of salutation this should be." Ah, what numbers of
innocent souls have been corrupted for want of using the like precautions!
The
angel, to calm her, says: "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor
before God." He then informs her that she is to conceive and bring forth a
Son Whose name shall be Jesus, Who shall be great, and the Son of the Most
High, and possessed of the throne of David, her illustrious ancestor. Mary, out
of a just concern to know how she may comply with the will of God without
prejudice to her vow of virginity, inquires, "How shall this be?" Nor
does she give her consent till the heavenly messenger acquaints her that it is
to be a work of the Holy Ghost, who, in making her fruitful, will not Intrench
in the least upon her virginal purity.
In
submission, therefore, to God's will, without any further inquiries, she
expresses her assent in these humble but powerful words: "Behold the
handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to Thy word" What faith
and confidence does her answer express, what profound humility and perfect
obedience!
Reflection
From the
example of the Blessed Virgin in this mystery, how ardent a love ought we to
conceive of purity and humility! The Holy Ghost is invited by purity to dwell
in souls, but is chased away by the filth of the contrary vice. Humility is the
foundation of a spiritual life. By it Mary was prepared for the extraordinary
graces and all virtues with which she was enriched, and for the eminent dignity
of Mother of God.
Source: Lives of
the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]
The Litany the Blessed Virgin Mary - (Litany of Loreto)
LORD, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have
mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Redeemer, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honor, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of prophets, pray for us.
Queen of apostles, pray for us.
Queen of martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors, pray for us.
Queen of virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray
for us.
Queen of the most holy rosary, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of
the world: Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of
the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of
the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God:
R. That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.
The Woman I Love - The Blessed Ever Virgin Mary
Venerable Fulton J Sheen
No comments:
Post a Comment