Holy Spirit, please form my relationship with Mary, a woman of faith.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among 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.
Before we begin this chapter, does anyone wish to comment on the ideas in Chapter 2?
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Scripture:
“And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Luke 1:43,45 Elizabeth greets Mary and identifies Mary as a person of faith who believes what God has revealed to her.
Church Documents: “Mary is present in the Church as the Mother of Christ, and at the same time as that Mother whom Christ, in the mystery of the Redemption, gave to humanity in the person of the Apostle John. Thus, in her new motherhood in the Spirit, Mary embraces each and every one in the Church, and embraces each and every one through the Church. In this sense Mary, Mother of the Church, is also the Church’s model.”
John Paul II, Mother of the Redeemer, encyclical, 1987
Marist Documents:
“I shall do nothing without her. . . In my problems and difficulties, I shall say, ‘Blessed Virgin, help me. You are my mother, my superior.’”
Jean-Claude Colin, S.M., comments made at a retreat, 1849
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THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES:
Our relationship with Mary Marist symbols The Marist manner of devotion to Mary
Let’s review for a moment. We have stated that our purpose is to explore and experience the spirituality of the Marists so that we can make an informed decision about whether we are called to live this spirituality. We have discussed, although briefly, the meanings of vocation, spirituality, church and laity. We have introduced the idea that a Marist is a person who is Mary’s presence in the Church and in the world, a person who has a mission to bring God to the worldof our times.
If we are called to bear Mary’s name and live this spirituality, we will, of necessity, develop a special relationship with Mary. How else can we know what she wants of us? So then, who is Mary to me personally?
Furthermore, if an aspect of this spirituality is that of putting a Marian face on the Church, then we are saying that being Mary-like will have an effect on the Church. What, then, is the relationship between Mary and the Church?
Our language has hundreds of words to describe relationships. We use them often: mother, father, sister, brother, friend, teacher, student. Of all the possible words available to us, what are appropriate words we can use to describe our personal relationship with Mary and her relationship with the Church?
Perhaps we can deepen our understanding of these relationships by considering some symbols and images that are precious to Marists. People use symbols and images as shortcuts. Once we understand what a symbol means, a glance at it brings recall of all that it represents. Symbols are visible tools for taking us to the invisible. The Marists are blessed with a number of such images and symbols.
* * * * * A TREE WITH MANY BRANCHES
This image of a tree with many branches represents the spiritual unity of Marists. All the branches—priests, brothers, sisters, laity—draw their spirit from a common source: Mary. There is a close relationship, therefore, among all the branches and all the individual members of the branches. If we are of one mind and one heart, we will be able to identify each other easily.
In The Age of Mary, Father Jan Snijders, S.M., considers the commonality among the branches of the tree:
our common mission—to the secularized world as such; a common undertaking—the work of Mary; a common superior—Mary; a common message—the mercy of God for the people of today; a common approach—hidden and unknown; a common desire—to involve the whole people of God. (p. 110)
Father Colin wrote the Constitutions of the Society of Mary after much meditation on Scripture. The idea of a Society in which all its members are ofone heart and one mind comes directly from the Acts of the Apostles: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind . . .” (Acts: 4:32)
Let’s read “One in mind and heart” in A Certain Way, page 92. We will find still another Scriptural reference to unity, and we will learn that unity is basic to Christianity.
Considering the thinking of Vatican II on the characteristics of the Church and the role of lay persons, is the symbol of a tree with many branches also useful as a symbol of the entire Church with each branch being individuals or groups with different gifts?
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FAMILY
Another important symbol for Marists! Marists in all the branches refer to themselves as a family. Mary is the founder and director and all-caring mother of the Marist family.
To be called by Mary to be a member of her family is a very special relationship indeed.
We can see the close relationship between these images of a tree and a family. The branches of a tree and the members of a family both share common origins and heritage. Again, these images remind us of the one heart, one mind characteristic of Marists, and indeed of all Christians.
It’s important to note that the tree with many branches is not an image in which any one branch draws its strength from another branch. Laity in this image are equal partners with the other branches of the Marist family. All the branches are equally important members of the family of Mary.
These images of tree and family also tell us about our relationship with others. How do family members love one another? How do members of a family welcome guests to their family events? People are usually eager to share withothers that which is best about their own families.
We are said to be brothers and sisters of Christ. John Paul II says Mary is the Mother of humanity. How do we relate the characteristics of a family with our image of the Church?
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A SMALL SHIP
A lay woman named Marie Elizabeth Blot explained in letters to Father Colin that she saw the Marist family as a small barque, or ship, that was built and piloted by Mary. Those on board the ship would survive storms at sea which represent the dangers of the world.
This image reminds us that Mary protects her family and all its members. We can use this image, then, to remind us of a most wonderful relationship with Mary—that of covenant. Covenant is a bond between parties who pledge themselves to each other. Covenant comes about when God makes an offer to us and we respond with a “yes.”
In the Old Testament God offered a deal to Israel: be faithful to me and worship me as the one, true God, and I will make you my Chosen People. “Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine.” (Ex. 19:5)
In the New Testament God confirmed his offer through the blood of Jesus. “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.” (1 Cor. 11:25) All people are invited to be parties to this covenant.
The covenant between Mary and Marists does not replace, in any way, God’s convenant with us; it is, rather, a particular way for us to live that covenant. In the covenant with Mary we are offered her name and spirit; our response is to agree to be her presence in the Church and in the world. Mary understood God’s covenant with his people better than anyone else has ever understood it. The more we take on Mary’s spirit, therefore, the better we live our covenant with God. We, in essence, imitate (although the word “imitate” is inadequate) the way Mary lived her part of her covenant relationship with God.
Mary will always direct us toward our covenant relationship with God. She says to us: “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)
Again, considering Mary’s role as Mother of the Church, can we imagine all people as passengers on her safe vessel? Can we imagine our work as being to bring others aboard this safe vessel?
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THE MANTLE OF OUR LADY
Let’s turn to page 94 in A Certain Way. Here we see an image of Mary with her mantle spread in a protective gesture over all the peoples of the world.
We have discussed the protection Mary gives those who enter into a covenant relationship with her. However, Mary is seen in this image as the one who is mother to all, who protects all and who gathers all. Let’s read the explanations in the box above the image.
What do you think about the idea expressed here: “Isn’t the Society like the mantle of the Blessed Virgin which offers shelter to all God’s children?”
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BRIDGES
Another frequently used image—that of a bridge—was also given to the Marists by Marie Elizabeth Blot and speaks to our mission. Marists are to be bridges to other people. Bridges are connectors. Marists are human bridges. We are people who connect others to God. The idea of being a bridge to others is really about evangelization, which is bringing the Good News of Jesus to all people. We will return to this symbol again and again.
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THE NAME OF MARY
For Marists who truly understand this spirituality, the name Mary is really the only symbol needed. Her name symbolizes the particular way we live out our covenant with our God and Savior—everything we are to be in our own personal relationship with God. Her name symbolizes everything we need to know about all our relationships.
The Marist motto, “Under the Name of Mary,” expresses the importance of Mary’s name.
The feast of the Holy Name of Mary, September 12, is the patronal feast day of the Marist family.
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DEVOTION TO MARY
What about my own private devotions to Mary?
A reading about this topic appears on the next page. We will use this reading as our topic for Quiet Time, so we’ll postpone discussion of it until after Quiet Time.
QUIET TIME
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Let’s review our Invitations for the coming month.
Closing prayer: Holy Spirit and Holy Mother, teach me how to stand beside Mary, look out upon the world and be part of “gathering in.”
Thank you for being here.
Devotion to MaryThe Marist approach to Mary is different from many others. For instance, Marists do not propose a special devotion to Mary based on a particular apparition. Though they deeply love Mary, and are thoroughly devoted to her, their principal aim is not to make Mary an object of veneration. In fact, they are fearful of turning Mary into an idol, another graven image, another replacement for the Father. And so, though Marists try with all their strength to make Mary’s attitudes their own, they do not see her primarily as an object to be imitated, or as a symbol for some cluster of virtues, like self-abnegation, humility or simplicity.For Marists, Mary is more than this. She is a person who is still actively present in today’s world. She is a dynamic force, leading, encouraging, coaxing, gracing people to the Father. And because Marists take her name, they want to open themselves up in a special way to her influence and action. They strive to identify themselves with her, get caught up in the sweep of her grace, and aid her in carrying out her work in the Church.
So Marists do not so much stand before Mary with heads bowed in veneration. Rather they stand side by side with her and together with her look out upon the world.
Albert DiIanni, S.M
This article appeared in “The Marists,” a newsletter published for Marist Laity by the Boston Province, June-July 2001.
The Pondering Page for Quiet Time
Who is Mary to Me?
Ponder the reading about the Marist form of devotion to Mary. It may be useful to review the Exercise for Prayer and Reflection in the appendix.
Perhaps this thought will be especially meaningful: Marists stand side by side with Mary and together with her look out upon the world. (paraphrased from the article)
INVITATIONS
Prayer:Pray every day: Holy Spirit, teach me how to stand beside Mary, look out upon the world and be part of “gathering in.”
Reading: Like a Bridge, Chapter 3, pages 53-64. This section explores the topics of this chapter: our relationship with Mary and the images of the Marist family.
Action: Even though we have completed the section of this course titled “Choice,” it is not required that you make a decision now about whether or not you are called to be Marist. During the month think about your feelings, thoughts, attitudes and questions about a possible vocation to be Marist.
One way of pondering a vocation to be Marist is to think about Mary in terms of the words we mentioned earlier that describe relationships. Mary is mother, disciple, director, mentor, protectress. What do these words mean to you? What other words would you use to describe your relationship with Mary?
Perhaps a symbol of your own will come to mind. If it does you may want to draw or describe it and share it with us the next time we meet.
In discerning your vocation it may also be helpful to consider the following questions:
Do you consider membership in the Marist family to be a gift from God? Do you desire an intimate relationship with Mary? Do you desire to spend your life in service in some way? Do you feel gratitude and joy as you learn about the Marist family? Do you believe it is possible to live a calling to be Marist?
Again, record your reactions. It’s also important to discuss your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust.
Our Marist Ways . . . . . . include a continuing effort to re-ground or re-anchor ourselves in our faith and Marist ways by frequent study of Scripture, the writings of the Church, and the writings and history of our Marist founders.
(Audio Available)
