Praying with Mary and Like Mary
from the Association of the Miraculous Medal, Dominican Republic
translated from Spanish by Father Henry Grodecki, C.M.

This article summarizes a monthly catechesis for the International Association of the Miraculous Medal.  This is part two of a three-part article.—Father Grodecki

In order to pray like Mary, it is good to approach her and see her as the Gospel describes her for us.  We will review, then, some passages and take some time on their attitudes.

At the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
She is presented to us as the listening and praying Virgin.  She listens with attention to the announcement of the angel as an expression of the Will of God.  She already knew, as a good Israelite, the promise of salvation announced by the prophets and she awaited the Messiah with her people.

Though she is shocked, surprised by the greeting of the Angel, Mary does not give us the impression of fervor, of recollection, nor of ecstasy, but takes a step in her prayer.  She teaches us—

• The discernment.  She wants it clear, she enters into dialogue and asks a question: “How can it be, since I do not know man?”  She listens again with attention and takes the decisive step.
• Humility and acceptance of the Will of God.  Before the facts and the light about the plan of God, Mary knows herself as servant, quite literally, a slave, and she surrenders herself without reservation:  “Let it be done to me according to your Word.”

At the Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)
Let us see Mary as a woman who not only prays in moments of silence, but also makes a prayer of her life, then really lives in the presence of God.  She knows God and she knows herself, she knows that everything about her is pure gift.  Because of this—

• She communicates by her very presence the joy of salvation
• She gives all praise and glory to God
• She lives an attitude of joy and gratitude to God the Father for all the marvels of salvation, praise brings forth the joy and spontaneity of her being
• She recognizes the holiness, justice, and mercy of God that stands with the poor and raises the lowly and the oppressed
• She reveals the fidelity of God to his covenant through all generations.

At the Loss of Jesus (in the Temple) (Luke 2:41-52)
Here is the beautiful attitude of Mary as praying woman—

• She lives the anxious, constant, serene search of the Son of God
• She questions him about his behavior which she doesn’t understand
• She keeps it in her heart in order to ponder the event.

At Cana in Galilee (John 2:1-11)
In the sharing in the festive union of the newlyweds she is together with her Son, as friend—

• She takes care of the situation
• The begging Mother in the face of human need
• With complete confidence in her Son, she asks us to put forth our needy situations so that the salvific power of her Son might be made manifest:  “Do whatever he tells you.”

Near the Cross (John 19:25-27)
She suffers profoundly with her Son and she joins herself to his sacrifice, lovingly supporting the immolation of the Victim born of her—

• She remains steadfast, serene, devastated, but not despairing
• She accepts the handing over of her Son
• In her sorrow, she preserves the capacity to accept John, to accept us as new children.