Opening Prayer
Lord, I praise the Mother of the recreated world, she who was chosen to give us Your Son and to serve as a mirror of all virtue. I acknowledge her as the Queen of the Recreated World, through whom the dignity of our nature has been restored and exalted. Let her example of faith and obedience be the model for my own response to Your calling this day.
I ask for the crown of life that You have prepared for those who love You, a reward greater than any earthly treasure. Grant me the merit of righteousness in this life so that I may live happily in the world to come. May my heart be diligent in Your praises, moving ever closer to You through the tribute of my daily love.
Amen.
Luke 1:26-38
26And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. 31Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. 33And of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? 35And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: 37Because no word shall be impossible with God. 38And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
St. Anselm
St. Anselm writes that human beings look to Mary’s radiant holiness as a mirror, exposing their inner filth and spiritual dullness (dullness of sin). Her purity does not alienate the sinner; rather, it provokes the necessary shame and contrition to initiate prayer. Anselm separates God as the “Father of the created world” from Mary as the “mother of the recreated world”. Just as creation required God, the recreation/redemption of a fallen humanity operates through Mary’s cooperation in the Incarnation.
Mary’s role as the “Mother of the recreated world” is central to our continued spiritual advancement. She leads us directly to “Jesus her Son”, the source of the new creation that replaces our fallen and cursed state. By following her example and seeking her intercession, we ensure that our steps remain on the road toward the eternal home.
“There is no reconciliation, O Mary, except that which thou didst conceive… no salvation but that which thou didst immaculately bear.“
— St. Anselm
Mary and the Magisterium
The dignity of man is restored through the new creation. As the Queen of the Recreated World, Mary holds the highest dignity of all visible creatures, serving as our model in the world to come.
- Do I "express my confidence in her assistance", or am I trying to "cross the Bridge" alone?
- Is my "devotion to Mary a distraction," or is it a "smooth way of reaching Jesus"?
Closing Prayer
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
Amen.
