December 3, 2013

Immaculate Conception Novena


Mary, Mother of the New Evangelization

Day 4

Theme:   Mary, Disciple of the Lord



Scripture Passage                                          Mark 1: 35 - 39
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.  Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”  He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”  So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Marian Reading
God calls us, by name and surname, each one of us, to proclaim the Gospel and to promote the culture of encounter with joy. The Virgin Mary is our exemplar. In her life, she was “a model of that motherly love with which all who join in the Church’s apostolic mission for the regeneration of humanity should be animated” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 65). Let us ask her to teach us to encounter one another in Jesus every day. And when we pretend not to notice because we have many things to do and the tabernacle is abandoned, may she take us by the hand. Let us ask this of her! Watch over me, Mother, when I am disoriented, and lead me by the hand. May you spur us on to meet our many brothers and sisters who are on the outskirts, who are hungry for God but have no one to proclaim him. May you not force us out of our homes, but encourage us to go out so that we may be disciples of the Lord. May you grant all of us this grace. (Pope Francis, Homily, Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, July 27, 2013)
Prayers
§     - an Our Father
§     - a Hail Mary
§     - a Glory Be
§     - the invocation “Mary, Immaculate, Help of Christians, pray for us.”


Image source:  holysabbath.blogspot.com

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