July 2nd 2019 lectures focused on Mary and about the importance of understanding her role within the church.
We were encouraged to see Mary as a God-conscious God bearer who fulfilled God’s dream for us as co-creators. We are also chosen by God. Are we really listening and open to responding?
The current Pope says we need more of a Marian face, focused on:
- Motherhood, inner life, emphasis on giving birth, nurturing to lead to maturity
- Mary pondered, contemplative, prayerful, discerning
- Sense of wonder
- Channel of God’s forgiveness. Mercy prevails over justice.
- Maternal love- ethic of care, maternal tenderness- a mother knows their child andincludes them in their love- a knowledge of respect without reciprocation
- Listening & responding- especially to those most in need.Nothing is impossible to God.
Mary could respond because she was listening to the mystery and responded to the mystery. It’s our role to give the children this opportunity. After a delicious lunch at uni, the day ended with an excursion to Sant’Alfonso (Saint Alphonsus) the mother church in Rome of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Redemptorists. It is home to the original icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. More than 5,500 Redemptorists serve the poor and abandoned in 82 countries throughout the world.
Next we walked to St Mary Major Basilica and mass at St Mary Major Chapel. It is claimed that some pieces of timber from the manger are housed at there. The memorial to sculptor, Bernini, is in the Basilica.
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