Reflection

Mary

Do you ever feel like you could use some help approaching God in your prayers? 

When we ask Mary to pray for us, we honour and worship her Son, who is more than happy to listen to His mother's pleas on our behalf. Catholic prayer is not really directed to Mary in the way that it is directed to God. Therefore, she is seen as a go-between, speaking to God on behalf of us.

This form of prayer, known as Marian prayer, invites us to ask Mary for her assistance and her grace, especially when we feel most troubled in our daily lives.

May is a month especially devoted to Marian Prayer. There are a number of Feast days in May dedicated to Mary. One of these was last week.

On 13 May 1917 in Fatima, a small town in Portugal, three children, Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta saw a vision of Mary. We refer to this vision as - Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady of Fatima’s message focused on the importance of prayer, especially the Rosary, and living a moral life.

This year, four students and three staff members from Nazareth College will be going to World Youth Day in Portugal in August. The Nazareth group will visit Fatima and  participate, alongside other young people from Melbourne, in the major events of World Youth Day including the Papal Welcome, catechesis, and youth festivals. There will be the final pilgrim walk and vigil with Pope Francis and millions of other young Catholics. More details will follow next month.

At Nazareth College, we can particularly keep in mind the homeless and those doing it tough this winter. The College Vinnies Group is conducting a winter appeal to help those affected. We can also assist through prayer by praying the Rosary especially in May – the month of Mary. Students are praying the Rosary during Religious Education classes.

May we always be able to ask Mary for her assistance and her grace, in whatever difficulties we are experiencing in our daily lives.

Holy Family of Nazareth – Be our inspiration and our guide.

Jesus of Nazareth – Help us to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge.