Mary Our Mother

As the month of May draws to a close, it is timely to reflect on Mary as a woman of great faith and hope. Since the Middle Ages, the Church has devoted the month of May to Mary. During this month, many Christians undertake pilgrimages to shrines associated with the Blessed Virgin. There are also three Marian feasts celebrated, which help us to understand what Mary can teach us about being disciples.

Santa Maria College is dedicated to Our Lady, and we are assured of her constant intercession to God on our behalf. Our Lady Help of Christians is also the patron saint of Australia and this feast day which falls on 24 May, has been celebrated in Australia since 1844. In the opening prayer for Our Lady Help of Christians, we pray that through Mary’s intercession God will “grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens”, so that under her protection Australia may be granted harmony, justice and peace.

How is Mary our model of faith and discipleship?

• Mary is consistently presented in the Gospel tradition as a model of faith and as a model of discipleship.
• Mary was very young when she said ‘yes’ to God to be the mother of Jesus, yet she displayed great trust in God and His promises.
• Mary willingly took on her role as the mother of Jesus no matter how difficult it must have been.

What can we learn from Mary?

• She is the perfect model for Christians of how to trust in God and what it means to be a Christian witness.
• She inspires us to cooperate with God and the plans He has for our lives.
• She invites us as disciples of Jesus to embrace our roles no matter how challenging they may be.

As Jesus completed his earthly mission, He gave Mary to us (John:19-27-27). Mary is our help, our advocate and the one who intercedes for us at God’s right hand. May we turn to Mary, our Mother in Heaven, asking for her prayers so that we may be strengthened to live lives of justice and peace.