During the month of May Catholics traditionally honor Mary, the mother of God. Marian devotions predominate during May centering around “Mothers’ Day” and even first Communion. The rosary is a favorite all year round. It can be used as a vocal prayer, but primarily it is a method of mental prayer. The mental prayer aspect can be looked at in a number of different ways. When for instance St. Ignatius of Loyola uses the word “contemplation” he is using it almost in an opposite sense than St. John of the Cross. Ignatius will emphasize the “composition of place”, picturing the events in the life of Jesus or Mary in one’s imagination.
This Ignatian method could be used with the rosary, picturing the events announced at the beginning of the particular decade. Since there are now four “mysteries” for the total rosary, we can picture forty different events for rosary meditation. There are many printed leaflets that can guide us in the use of the mysteries. This use of the imagination can lead to a deep sense of presence. If we are led more to the method of John of the Cross, we may focus our minds more on a presence than on a picture. We could pray for the virtue on which the mystery contains. There are so many different “methods” of the rosary that can deepen our prayer life.
Catholics are often accused of over emphasizing devotion to Mary, because it detracts from the centrality of Jesus in the Christian life. Our position is just the opposite. Devotion to Mary leads to a solid devotion to Jesus There is more than a devotional aspect in our relationship with Mary. Theologically Mary has been included in the divine plan of salvation. This inclusion is God’s idea not the Catholic Church’s idea. At the important moment of the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel to Mary, she in a sense, gave the “go ahead” to the divine plan. Her consent was sought and received. Thus began her role as mediatrix, subordinate and under the divine mediation of her Son. She, at the foot of the cross, consented to the horrible death of her Son and thus joined her consent to His as co-redemptrix. Even now each grace given to us as the redeeming act of Jesus is also accompanied by the prayer of Mary, and thus continues her role in our salvation whether we avert to it or not.
In honoring Mary we honor God’s plan. When we say “Mary”, Mary says “Jesus”. Even though God’s plan takes effect whether we know it or not, the more we consent and honor Mary, the more closely is our salvation assured.
Catholics are often accused of over emphasizing devotion to Mary, because it detracts from the centrality of Jesus in the Christian life. Our position is just the opposite. Devotion to Mary leads to a solid devotion to Jesus There is more than a devotional aspect in our relationship with Mary. Theologically Mary has been included in the divine plan of salvation. This inclusion is God’s idea not the Catholic Church’s idea. At the important moment of the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel to Mary, she in a sense, gave the “go ahead” to the divine plan. Her consent was sought and received. Thus began her role as mediatrix, subordinate and under the divine mediation of her Son. She, at the foot of the cross, consented to the horrible death of her Son and thus joined her consent to His as co-redemptrix. Even now each grace given to us as the redeeming act of Jesus is also accompanied by the prayer of Mary, and thus continues her role in our salvation whether we avert to it or not.
In honoring Mary we honor God’s plan. When we say “Mary”, Mary says “Jesus”. Even though God’s plan takes effect whether we know it or not, the more we consent and honor Mary, the more closely is our salvation assured.