We celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15. The School Sisters of Notre Dame are dedicated to Mary whose spirit is alive in the prayer, life and service of sisters, associates, staff and volunteers at Villa Assumpta, Baltimore, MD.
On this feast day, let us recall some of the attributes and experiences of Mary.
Mary, the favored one:
The angel greeted her: “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1: 28
Mary, the gentle one:
Song: Hail Mary, Gentle Woman by Carey Landry
Mary, the woman giving birth:
… and she gave birth to her firstborn son. Luke 2: 7
Mary, the woman fulfilling the law:
…according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Luke 2: 21-40
Mary, the refugee:
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt…” Mt 2:13-14
Mary, the anxious one:
“Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” Luke 2: 41-48
Mary, the advocate:
His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5
Mary, the mother of a son on death row:
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother … John 19:26
Mary, the prayerful one and filled with the Holy Spirit:
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus. Acts1:14-15 and 2:1-21
Pondering the prompts, where do you feel kinship with Mary - personally and in your ministry? How might you personally or your ministry embody Mary’s spirit? How does Mary’s spirit live on through you and through your ministry?
Pondering the prompts, where do you feel kinship with Mary - personally and in your ministry? How might you personally or your ministry embody Mary’s spirit? How does Mary’s spirit live on through you and through your ministry?
Closing Prayer: Magnificat by John Rutter
The Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
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Thanks to the Office of Mission Formation for this resource
