Day 3: May 17

“Mary, Mother of the Church"

Scripture Reading: (Acts 1:13-14)

When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Don Bosco’s Words:

After the death of his mother, Mama Margaret, Don Bosco knelt at the foot of the image of Our Lady of Consolation in Turin and said, “Now my boys and I have no mother on earth.  Be close to us, be our Mother.”

Prayer:

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 2: May 16

"Mary, Disciple of the Lord”

Scripture Reading: (Luke 11:27-28)

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.”

He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Don Bosco’s Advice:

“Ask the Blessed Virgin for the grace to receive communion frequently and worthily.”

Prayer:

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 1: May 15

“Mary, Obedient Servant of God”

Scripture Reading: (Luke 1:35-38)

The angel said to Mary, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

Don Bosco’s Advice:

“How consoling is the Our Father we recite every morning and evening!  How reassuring to think that we have a Father in Heaven who cares for us!”

Prayer:

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

Devotion to Mary Help of Christians

For Don Bosco, the Immaculate Virgin, Mary Help of Christians, was the ever-present Mother who helps her children daily, going to their rescue and leading them to Jesus. "Be devoted to Mary Help of Christians", he would often say, "and you will see what miracles are!"

In the Catholic tradition, the daily praying of the Rosary is not only a Marian devotion, but above all the contemplation of Jesus in the mysteries of his saving Incarnation.  And for Don Bosco, Mary is the powerful Helper who defends the Church and the Pope from every kind of danger.  

"Be devoted to Mary most holy; frequently call on her. Never was it known that anyone who trustingly had recourse to her was not promptly heard." - Don Bosco

2nd Sunday of Lent - B (March 4, 2012)

2nd Sunday of Lent - B (March 4, 2012) 
Commentary
Mark 9: 2-10

This is My Beloved Son

Mark began his gospel citing clearly what he intended to teach his readers, "the gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God" (1:1)

The rest of his writing teaches us who Jesus is and how in his life, through his words and actions, Jesus reveals to us that he is the only "Son of God."

It begins with the baptism of John the Baptist, where the voice from heaven reaffirms Jesus as God's "beloved Son."

Then we learn of a Jesus who is zealously on a mission to bring God's peace and healing to the human race.

Throughout the gospel, especially when Jesus heals the sick and performs miracles, he would not allow people to speak about it to prevent any misunderstanding of who he is. He is not just a famous teacher or a powerful miracle worker.

Now, as Jesus travels to Jerusalem to undergo his passion and death, with the Transfiguration, he prepares his disciples by giving them a hint of who he truly is, God's beloved Son.

Jesus' identity as God's beloved Son will be fully revealed on the cross, which he accepted out of loving obedience to the Father's will and love for the human race. There, on the cross, through the words of the Roman centurion, Mark teaches us, "Truly this man was the Son of God" (15:39).

God's only Son lives and fulfills his identity on the cross, his ultimate sacrifice of love.

How do we live our lives as God's sons and daughters?