response, Mary is the model of prayer * To consider how my life should reflect this model of prayer Why discuss Mary? Ano kaya ang nasa pagkatao ni Maria, na dapat nating Makita? Anu ano kayang pagpapahalaga at birtud ang meron si Maria? * I know that Mary’s Fiat means that she said yes to God * I understand that Christian prayer means saying yes to God * I can express my own understanding of how my life can reflect Mary’s example of prayer Voice from the Church “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin” CCC135
As Catholics we believe that Mary is the
Immaculate Conception which means that she was born free from original sin. “I am the Handmaid of the Lord.
Let what you have said be done unto me.”
Mary’s response “let it be” means Fiat in Latin. Mary’s Fiat is holy because it is through her act of submission, her willingness to accept God’s plan, that the Son of God makes His entrance into human history. • 9 months of pregnancy, • the birth and childhood of Jesus, • his ministry, trial and Passion to Jesus’ death, • Resurrection, • Ascension, • Pentecost, • the saints, • the early Church until today, • the gates of Heaven opened, • Christ at the Father’s right hand. What would have been different if Mary had said no? 1. Imagine what it was like to travel on foot while 9 months pregnant. Think what it might have been like to give birth with no nurses or doctors. What questions do you think she could have been asking God?
2. By recalling your learning from S1-3
and what we have covered today make a list of at least six of Mary’s characteristics
3. What qualities of this godly woman
would you like to have? What steps do you need to take to begin to develop them? Be specific. Have short-term and long-term goals Mary’s “yes” allowed her relationship with God to deepen. This was not a one-off, she would continually repeat this through out her life.
You will be given a handout
Read the passage John 2:1-11
•Highlight on the passage an
example where Mary intercedes
•Annotate around the text what you
think this passage shows Mary has been called ‘our sure way to Jesus’, and she will help us reach heaven by her intercession.
When praying to Mary, we ask that
she brings our prayers to and prays on our behalf before her Son
Worship is reserved for God alone.
Rather, we venerate Mary (honour her) above all because of her special place in our salvation.
She is a model of faithfulness and the
greatest of all saints. “I am the Handmaid of the Lord.
Let what you have said be done unto me.”
Voice from the Church Mary’s “Fiat” teaches us what prayer really is
“this is Christian prayer: to be
wholly God's, because he is wholly ours” CCC2617 * To understand that through * I know that Mary’s Fiat means God’s call and her response, that she said yes to God Mary is the model of prayer * I understand that Christian * To consider how my life prayer means saying yes to should reflect this model of God prayer * I can express my own understanding of how my life can reflect Mary’s example of prayer