Keeping Us Connected Newsletter

March 24, 2023

“Behold your mother.”

– John 19:27

Dear Saint Mary Friends,

A final reminder that Sohrab Amari will be speaking in our 125^th anniversary “Witnesses to Faith” series on Wednesday, March 29 at 7:00 PM in the School Hall. Also, our parish Lenten work of mercy, the Easter Food Drive, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus is ongoing.

Now, on to tomorrow’s Feast.

Having, last week honored St. Joseph and St. Patrick, we note that tomorrow (March 25) is the Solemnity of the Annunciation. We all know the beautiful Gospel account of Mary embracing God’s purpose that his Son and hers will save his people from their sins. The feast falling in Lent this year, calls to mind how that promise is realized at the Last Supper, on Calvary, and in the Resurrection. So, given this time of the church year and Mary's faithful presence, here are meditations on the two Stations of the Cross directly referring to her. They're written by St. John Henry Newman.

IV - Jesus meets His Mother

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.

R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

THERE is no part of the history of Jesus but Mary has her part in it. There are those who profess to be His servants, who think that her work was ended when she bore Him, and after that she had nothing to do but disappear and be forgotten. But we, O Lord, Thy children of the Catholic Church, do not so think of Thy Mother. She brought the tender infant into the Temple, she lifted Him up in her arms when the wise men came to adore Him. She fled with Him to Egypt, she took Him up to Jerusalem when He was twelve years old. He lived with her at Nazareth for thirty years. She was with Him at the marriage-feast. Even when He had left her to preach she hovered about Him. And now she shows herself as He toils along the Sacred Way with His cross on His shoulders. Sweet Mother, let us ever think of thee when we think of Jesus and when we pray to Him ever aid us by thy powerful intercession. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

XIII - Jesus is laid in the arms of His Blessed Mother

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.

R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

HE is Thy property now, O Virgin Mother, once again, for He and the world have met and parted. He went out from Thee to do His Father's work, and He has done and suffered it. Satan and bad men have now no longer any claim upon Him, too long has He been in their arms. Satan took Him up aloft to the high mountain; evil men lifted Him up upon the Cross. He has not been in Thy arms, O Mother of God, since He was a child, but now thou hast a claim upon Him, when the world has done its worst. For thou art the all-favoured, all-blessed, all-gracious Mother of the Highest. We rejoice in this great mystery. He has been hidden in thy womb, He has lain in thy bosom, He has been suckled at thy breasts, He has been carried in thy arms, and now that He is dead, He is placed upon thy lap. Virgin Mother of God, pray for us. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Blessings,