1. The Resurrection - Jesus’ Victory over Sin and Death
As the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb ... An angel of the Lord descended from heaven ... [and] said to the women: “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.” (Mt. 28:1-10)
Meditation (Leader)
Jesus’ acceptance of the situation of his agony and passion, his patient endurance of and perseverance in his sufferings, and his self-surrender in accomplishing the plan of God for the redemption of the world had led him to the ultimate victory over sin and death at his resurrection. Thus, at his resurrection, Jesus not only became the victorious Lord, but also the conqueror of every form of evil, sin, and death. In and through Jesus, the resurrected Lord, we have the possibility of encountering, coping with, and overcoming evil. Therefore, St. Vincent Pallotti considers the resurrected Lord Jesus as the termination of all evil. For him, Jesus, as the second Adam, by his passion, death and resurrection, has undone the loss of grace brought about by the sin of the first Adam, and opened the possibility of genuine communication between God and the human person at all levels. Living as a resurrected people, believing in the power of the resurrected Lord and living in communication with God, we can, like Jesus, become victorious over every evil that torments us as individuals and communities (OOCC, X, pp. 663-664).
Do I understand that it is Jesus’ passion and death that led to his resurrection?
Do I believe in Jesus’ victory over every evil, sin, and death at his resurrection?
Do I live as a resurrected person?
Do I take recourse to Jesus’ power and communication with God to overcome evil?
(Pray the Decade of the Rosary)
Prayer (All)
Lord our God, Jesus your Son became the victorious Lord at his resurrection, overcoming every evil, sin, and death. Grant us the grace to live as the resurrected people, believing in the power of the resurrected Lord and living a life of communication with God. Mary, our Mother, help us to encounter, cope with and overcome every form of evil by living our Christian lives as the resurrected people. Amen.
2. The Ascension - Jesus’ Return to His Father’s Glory
Jesus appeared to his disciples for the last time, strengthened them in their faith, promised to send the Holy Spirit, and commissioned them to be his witnesses. Then Jesus led them as far as Bethany and raised his hands and blessed them. As he blessed them, he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. (Lk. 24:36-53)
Meditation (Leader)
At his ascension, Jesus completed his life as a human person and returned to the glory of his Father, thereby bringing the hope of eternal glory to all who believed in him. At his last appearance to his disciples before his ascension, Jesus asked his disciples to wait in hope for the “Promise of the Father”, the Holy Spirit, who would clothe them with power from on high in order to become his witnesses. Reflection on the ascension of Jesus made St. Vincent Pallotti a man of hope and a man of action. For him, Christian life is a life of hope assisted by faith and love. When he found himself in difficult situations, he would attempt to overcome his self-limitation by hoping in God’s promises and believing that his hope would not be in vain (OOCC, X, p. 54). However, this life of hope inspired St. Vincent to live a life of action. He believed that the hope of eternal glory could not be passed on to others without human cooperation in the mission of Jesus. While hoping in God’s power, St. Vincent would make meticulous plans and execute them judiciously, thereby witnessing to others his hope in Jesus (OOCC, IV, pp. 124-125).
Do I believe that by his ascension Jesus brought the hope of eternal glory to all?
Does Jesus’ ascension make me a person who hopes in God’s promises?
Do I believe that I am called to bear witness to the hope of eternal glory?
Do I combine my efforts with the hope in God’s power for the success of my mission?
(Pray the Decade of the Rosary)
Prayer (All)
O God, our ever-loving Father, in the ascension of Jesus, your Son, you have given us the model of true Christian life, a life of hope and action. Jesus, by hoping in your promises, accomplished the mission you gave him and returned to your glory. Grant us the grace to accomplish the demands of our vocation hoping in your powerful assistance. Mary, our Mother, help us to imitate the life of your Son here on earth and attain hope of eternal glory. Amen.
3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit - Mary in the Cenacle
Suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind and filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues ... (Acts 2: 1-13)
Meditation (Leader)
Before his ascension, Jesus said to the apostles: “Stay in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high” (Lk. 24: 49). Following this request, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, held the apostles together in the upper room, encouraged them, and prayed with them until this “clothing with power” had taken place. Therefore, for St. Vincent Pallotti, it was under Mary’s protection when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, making them fearless preachers of Jesus’ message and the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, was born. Mary gave birth to the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, in the cenacle and, thus, could rightly be called the Mother of the Church. Similarly, Mary - through her prayers and personal presence with the apostles in the cenacle - sustained their courage, helped them to be true apostles of Jesus, and made them prosper in the mission entrusted to them by Jesus. In doing so, she surpassed all the apostles in merit, and she could be rightly called the Queen of Apostles. Thus, Mary showed how a layperson can participate in the mission of the Church totally and fully (OOCC, IV, p. 378).
Do I entrust myself to Mary’s protection in moments of difficulties?
Do I understand Mary’s role in the birth of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church?
Do I acknowledge Mary’s role as the Queen of Apostles?
Do I learn from Mary the art of serving the Church without holding an office?
(Pray the Decade of the Rosary)
Prayer (All)
Lord, our God, the cenacle scene points to the important role Mary, Queen of Apostles played in the birth of the Church and in making the apostles zealous ministers of the gospel. She opened the apostles to the power of the Holy Spirit, strengthened them in their faith, and deepened their commitment to Christ and the Church. Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for us before God that we may never falter in our love for the Church and zeal for her mission. Amen.
4. The Assumption - Mary, Our Model
“By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” (Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, 1950, no. 44)
Meditation (Leader)
The assumption of Mary into heavenly glory with body and soul was the Father’s reward for completing the course of her earthly life in the most perfect manner. Thus, Mary’s assumption was the culmination of a life well lived according to God’s plan. Venerating our Blessed Mother assumed into heaven calls Christians of all walks of life to imitate her earthly life so as to make themselves worthy of heavenly glory. St. Vincent Pallotti believed that everyone, whether priest, religious or layperson of every sex, state, rank and condition, must accept Mary as the model and be inspired by her life. For St. Vincent, Mary’s greatness does not consist in the special place God bestowed on her in the salvation of the world, but in accepting her exalted role with great humility and cooperating in God’s plan unconditionally even in moments of uncertainty, doubt, and suffering. Mary, as the handmaid of the Lord, walked the path which God had laid out for her. For St. Vincent, every Christian must accept Mary as the model, live his/her life in imitation of Mary, and make him/her worthy of eternal glory (OOCC, III, p. 6).
Do I acknowledge that Mary’s assumption is a reward for a life well-lived?
What does it mean for me to venerate Mary assumed into heaven?
Do I, like Mary, cooperate with God’s plan in my life, despite uncertainty and suffering?
Do I model my life after Mary’s earthly life living the attitudes that guided her life?
(Pray the Decade of the Rosary)
Prayer (All)
O God, most bountiful, you have rewarded Mary’s faithfulness to you by taking her up to heaven body and soul. Grant us the grace to imitate her unconditional cooperation with your plan despite uncertainties and suffering. Mary, our Mother, instill in us your spirit that we may live our lives like you, and make ourselves worthy of heavenly glory. Amen.
5. The Coronation - Mary, Our Spiritual Mother
“We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the New Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role with regard to Christ’s members, cooperating with the birth and growth of divine life in the souls of the redeemed.” (Pope Paul VI, Credo of the People of God, 1968, no. 15.)
Meditation (Leader)
Before he died on the cross, Jesus handed his mother over to John the apostle to be his mother (Jn. 19: 26-27). Through the gift of Mary to John, Jesus offered Mary, his mother, as the Spiritual Mother of all his disciples. After her assumption and being crowned as the Queen of heaven and earth, Mary continues to exercise her maternal role over all disciples of Jesus and instills in them the birth and growth of divine life. According to St. Vincent Pallotti, the Spiritual Motherhood of Mary is the precious gift Jesus offered to humankind. He developed a child-like confidence and trust in Mary and accepted her as his Spiritual Mother. St. Vincent believed that Mary, as the Spiritual Mother, could help in Jesus being born in our hearts spiritually. He particularly prayed to her that she would make him more like Jesus and show him the way to Jesus. Pallotti wished that everyone would develop this filial trust he had in Mary’s intercession and protection, which, in turn, would lead them towards greater levels of holiness in imitation of Jesus (OOCC, III, pp. 78-79).
Do I believe that Mary is my Spiritual Mother?
Do I believe that she can play a role in the birth and growth of divine life in me?
Do I approach Mary with filial trust in all my needs, particularly in my spiritual needs?
Do I consider Mary as one who can help me to become more like Jesus in my life?
(Pray the Decade of the Rosary)
Prayer (All)
O God, most gracious and loving, in your divine mercy you let Jesus, your Son, offer Mary as the Spiritual Mother of all your people, and let her continue her motherly role in the lives of Christians even after her assumption and coronation. We thank you for this gift. Mary, our Mother, help us to approach you in all our needs with filial trust and confidence. Amen.
HAIL HOLY QUEEN
All: Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Leader: Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
All: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Leader: Let us pray.
All: O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech thee, that meditating on the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Leader: May the Divine Assistance remain always with us.
All: Amen. And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
“True devotion to Mary, consists in imitating her Son and learning from her how to imitate Him”
—Saint Vincent
LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – LITANY OF LORETO
The Litany of Loreto was originally approved in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God.
Have mercy on us.
Response for the following: Pray for us.
Holy Mary
Holy Mother of God
Holy Virgin of virgins
Mother of Christ
Mother of the Church
Mother of divine grace
Mother most pure
Mother most chaste
Mother inviolate
Mother undefiled
Mother most amiable
Mother most admirable
Mother of good counsel
Mother of our Creator
Mother of our Savior
Virgin most prudent
Virgin most venerable
Virgin most renowned
Virgin most powerful
Virgin most merciful
Virgin most faithful
Mirror of justice
Seat of wisdom
Cause of our joy
Spiritual vessel
Vessel of honor
Singular vessel of devotion
Mystical rose
Tower of David
Tower of ivory
House of gold
Ark of the covenant
Gate of heaven
Morning star
Health of the sick
Refuge of sinners
Comforter of the afflicted
Help of Christians
Queen of angels
Queen of patriarchs
Queen of prophets
Queen of apostles
Queen of martyrs
Queen of confessors
Queen of virgins
Queen of all saints
Queen conceived without original sin
Queen assumed into heaven
Queen of the most holy
Rosary Queen of families
Queen of peace
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world;
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world;
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world;
Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Grant, we beg you, O Lord God, that we your servants
may enjoy lasting health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession
of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow
and enter into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
During Advent
Let us pray.
O God, you willed that, at the message of an angel, your word should take flesh
in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant to your suppliant people,
that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her
intercession with you.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
From Christmas to the Purification
Let us pray.
O God, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, you bestowed upon the human race
the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beg you,
that we may feel the power of her intercession, through whom we have been made
worthy to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you forever and ever.
R. Amen.
During Paschaltime
Let us pray.
O God, who by the Resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
granted joy to the whole world, grant, we beg you,
that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may attain the joys of
eternal life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.