Saturday of Our Lady

When Pope Paul VI wished to explain how the Church closely associated with her Lord, invokes Christ and through him worships the eternal Father he looked to Mary as the exemplar. He described her as "The Virgin who listens," "The Virgin who prays," "The Virgin who offers." He put listening first.


Hers was the attention of living faith. Because she had perfect faith she was the perfect listener. She had heard and made her own of every word the Lord had spoken to her: that she was full of grace  and that the Lord was with her, and that the fruit of her womb would be blessed.


Mary, seat of Wisdom, had so much wisdom to impart, yet it was God's plan that she should speak by her silence. Mary the listener spoke so few words, and her last word was that we should listen to her Son, and to bring to our listening her obedience, "Do whatever He tells you." (Jn. 2,5).


Prayer:
Immaculate Virgin, you graciously listened to the prayers of  Bernadette; you remained beside her with a mother's vigilance in all her sufferings. Bend down your ear to my poor pleadings and make me also attentive to your word.
From Pilgrims with Mary by John Moloney P.P.

Visit the Carmelite Monastery in Arlington, Texas

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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