杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

As the Church prepares to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation on Thursday, 杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on the beauty of the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Speaking at the Wednesday General Audience, the 杏MAP导航 continued his catechesis on prayer, focusing on 鈥減rayer in communion with Mary.鈥�

He began by noting the centrality of Jesus in all forms of Christian prayer.

鈥淓ach prayer we raise to God is through Christ, with Christ and in Christ and is fulfilled thanks to His intercession,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, adding that Christ 鈥渋s the only Redeemer: there are no co-redeemers with Christ.鈥�

Blessed is the fruit

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to say that Christ鈥檚 mediation for us with the Father gives meaning to other references which Christians turn to in prayer, 鈥渇irst among them being the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.鈥�

鈥淪he occupies a privileged place in the lives of Christians,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd therefore, in their prayer as well, because she is the Mother of Jesus.鈥�

The Holy Father recalled how the Eastern Churches describe her with the Greek term Hodegetria: 鈥渢he one who shows the way鈥� to her Son. He added that everything about Mary is 鈥渃ompletely directed鈥� toward Christ and is the 鈥渇irst disciple鈥�.

Pray for us sinners

Jesus, said the 杏MAP导航, extended Mary鈥檚 maternity to all members of the Church when He entrusted her to His beloved disciple who stood at the foot of the Cross.

鈥淔rom that moment on, we have all been gathered under her mantle,鈥� he said.

Just as she stayed near her dying Son in his last moments, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, so she remains with those who are dying, as we pray in the Hail Mary.

鈥淢ary is always present at the bedside of her children when they depart this world,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f someone is alone and abandoned, she is there, near, as she was next to her Son when everyone else abandoned him.鈥�

Now and at the hour of our death

During the Covid-19 pandemic, as so many people die alone in hospital due to social restrictions, Mary accompanies those who are on their deathbed in solitude.

She is with those who die without the comfort of their loved ones, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渨ith her maternal tenderness.鈥�

鈥淧rayers said to her are not in vain,鈥� he added. 鈥淪he hears our voices, even those that remain closed in our hearts鈥�.

Heart of a mother

Mary, concluded 杏MAP导航 Francis, always protects her children, defending us from danger, even when we lose our way or put our salvation in danger.

鈥淢ary is there,鈥� he said, 鈥減raying for us, praying for those who do not pray. Because she is our Mother.鈥�