Clonskeagh Parish RCN:20016166

The mother of Jesus was a Jewish maiden, named Miriam in Hebrew. She was living in Nazareth when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and addressed her, ‘Hail, full of grace'. He announced that by the power of the Holy Spirit she would bear a son, Jesus, to be known as Son of God. To these humanly unbelievable words Mary replied, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word'.

She is the greatest and most loved of all saints. To emphasise the divinity of Christ to her was given the official title ‘Theotokos' (God-bearer). That is why we call her Mother of God and mother of us.

Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever. Amen

Prayer:

O holy Mary, pray for us that we may grow in the spirit of adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, and help us to follow Him and love Him the way you did. May the most Holy Trinity be glorified in our lives through your intercession.
Amen.