The Annunciation

I've learnt a lot from this, sharing about Our Lady:

Good Friday 25 March 2016!

March 25 - Feast of the Annunciation, March 25 - 2016 - Good Friday, March 25 - 25 years ago, Archbishop Lefebvre was called to eternal rest.

on the 25 March ... 

This day approximately 2016 yrs ago: the Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary and she conceived of the Holy Ghost

This day approximately 1983 yrs ago Jesus Christ: suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried

This day 25 years ago our beloved Archbishop Lefebvre was called to eternal rest.

Stabat Mater Dolorosa: At the Cross Her Station Keeping

The wee hours of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is now here! : )) A happy and O so beautiful feast day for all of us as we labour through Passion Week!!!

It was on this day so many years ago, in the Holy House of Loreto (Nazareth), that Our Dearest Mamma Mary humbly said YES to God, through the Angel, so that Our Dearest Saviour, Jesus could come into this world. 

1) The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

And She conceived of the Holy Ghost.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee, Blessed art Thou amongst women and Blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2) Behold the handmaid of the Lord,

Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary ...

3) And the Word was made flesh.

And dwelt amongst us.

Hail Mary ...

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

So great was this huge decision that was made, that this changed the entire course of events for the whole world. It was because of this decision that dearest Mother Mary, through the grace of the Most High, made, that allowed for the Saviour of the world to come into this darkness.

It was this decision, that thereby, the fate of all souls since the beginning of time to the end of time was changed. She was the one that said yes to God and thus, to a certain extent, helped accomplish for us, our salvation. In a sense, she made the first committed step, and there was no turning back after she said yes to God. This is one of the reasons why the dearest Blessed Virgin has been given the title, the Co-Redemptrix of mankind, our salvation, because, by virtue of this huge decision she made, she helped save mankind. That is why, we Catholics love her as our dearest Mother.

We need to remember something that St Pio wrote / said:

"Even Mary, the Mother of Jesus, knew that through His death, man would be redeemed, and yet She cried and suffered, and suffered much."

My favourite Stabat Mater Dolorosa: At the Cross Her Station Keeping hymn

Stabat Mater Dolorosa is considered one of the seven greatest Latin hymns of all time. It is based upon the prophecy of Simeon that a sword was to pierce the heart of His mother, Mary (Lk 2:35). The hymn originated in the 13th century during the peak of Franciscan devotion to the crucified Jesus and has been attributed to Pope Innocent III (d. 1216), St. Bonaventure, or more commonly, Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306), who is considered by most to be the real author.

The hymn is often associated with the Stations of the Cross. In 1727 it was prescribed as a Sequence for the Mass of the Seven Sorrows of Mary (September 15) where it is still used today. In addition to this Mass, the hymn is also used for the Office of the Readings, Lauds, and Vespers for this memorial. There is a mirror image to this hymn, Stabat Mater speciosa, which echoes the joy of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the birth of Jesus.

STABAT Mater dolorosa iuxta Crucem lacrimosa, dum pendebat Filius.	AT, the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.
Cuius animam gementem, contristatam et dolentem pertransivit gladius.	Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed.
O quam tristis et afflicta fuit illa benedicta, mater Unigeniti!	O how sad and sore distressed was that Mother, highly blest, of the sole-begotten One.
Quae maerebat et dolebat, pia Mater, dum videbat nati poenas inclyti.	Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying glorious Son.
Quis est homo qui non fleret, matrem Christi si videret in tanto supplicio?	Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ's dear Mother to behold?
Quis non posset contristari Christi Matrem contemplari dolentem cum Filio?	Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother's pain untold?
Pro peccatis suae gentis vidit Iesum in tormentis, et flagellis subditum.	Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, she beheld her tender Child All with bloody scourges rent:
Vidit suum dulcem Natum moriendo desolatum, dum emisit spiritum.	For the sins of His own nation, saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent.
Eia, Mater, fons amoris me sentire vim doloris fac, ut tecum lugeam.	O thou Mother! fount of love! Touch my spirit from above, make my heart with thine accord:
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum in amando Christum Deum ut sibi complaceam.	Make me feel as thou hast felt; make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ my Lord.
Sancta Mater, istud agas, crucifixi fige plagas cordi meo valide.	Holy Mother! pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior crucified:
Tui Nati vulnerati, tam dignati pro me pati, poenas mecum divide.	Let me share with thee His pain, who for all my sins was slain, who for me in torments died.
Fac me tecum pie flere, crucifixo condolere, donec ego vixero.	Let me mingle tears with thee, mourning Him who mourned for me, all the days that I may live:
Iuxta Crucem tecum stare, et me tibi sociare in planctu desidero.	By the Cross with thee to stay, there with thee to weep and pray, is all I ask of thee to give.
Virgo virginum praeclara, mihi iam non sis amara, fac me tecum plangere.	Virgin of all virgins blest!, Listen to my fond request: let me share thy grief divine;
Fac, ut portem Christi mortem, passionis fac consortem, et plagas recolere.	Let me, to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of that dying Son of thine.
Fac me plagis vulnerari, fac me Cruce inebriari, et cruore Filii.	Wounded with His every wound, steep my soul till it hath swooned, in His very Blood away;
Flammis ne urar succensus, per te, Virgo, sim defensus in die iudicii.	Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in His awful Judgment Day.
Christe, cum sit hinc exire, da per Matrem me venire ad palmam victoriae.	Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, by Thy Mother my defense, by Thy Cross my victory;
Quando corpus morietur, fac, ut animae donetur paradisi gloria. Amen.	While my body here decays, may my soul Thy goodness praise, safe in paradise with Thee. Amen.

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From the Liturgia Horarum. Translation by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878)The Stabat Mater speciosa: By the Crib Wherein Reposing Stabat Mater speciosa is considered one of the seven greatest Latin hymns of all time and one of the tenderest. It is based upon the Gospel account of the birth of Jesus. The hymn originated in the 13th century and has been attributed to Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306). There is a mirror image to this hymn, Stabat Mater dolorosa, which echoes the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the crucifixion and death of Jesus. STABAT Mater speciosa iuxta faenum gaudiosa, dum iacebat parvulus.  BY, the crib wherein reposing, with His eyes in slumber closing, lay serene her Infant-boy,  Cuius animam gaudentem laetabundam et ferventem pertransivit iubilus.  Stood the beauteous Mother feeling bliss that could not bear concealing, so her face o'erflowed with joy.  O quam laeta et beata fuit illa immaculata, mater Unigeniti!  Oh, the rapture naught could smother of that most Immaculate Mother of the sole-begotten One;  Quae gaudebat et ridebat, exultabat, cum videbat nati partum inclyti.  When with laughing heart exulting, she beheld her hopes resulting In the great birth of her Son.  Quisquam est, qui non gauderet, Christi matrem si videret in tanto solatio?  Who would not with gratulation see the happy consolation of Christ's Mother undefiled?  Quis non posset collaetari, Christi Matrem contemplari ludentem cum Filio?  Who would not be glad surveying Christ's dear Mother bending, praying, playing with her heavenly Child  Pro peccatis suae gentis Christum vidit cum iumentis et algori subditum.  For a sinful world's salvation, Christ her Son's humiliation She beheld and brooded o'er;  Vidit suum dulcem Natum vagientem, adoratum, vili deversorio.  Saw Him weak, a child, a stranger, yet before Him in the manger kings lie prostrate and adore.  Nato, Christo in praesepe caeli cives canunt laete cum immenso gaudio.  O'er that lowly manger winging, joyful hosts from heaven were singing canticles of holy praise;  Stabat, senex cum puella non cum verbo nec loquela stupescentes cordibus.  While the old man and the maiden, speaking naught, with hearts o'erladen, pondered on God's wondrous ways.  Eia, Mater, fons amoris me sentire vim ardoris fac, ut tecum sentiam.  Fount of love, forever flowing, with a burning ardor glowing, make me, Mother, feel like thee;  Fac, ut ardeat cor meum in amatum Christum Deum ut sibi complaceam.  Let my heart, with graces gifted all on fire, to Christ be lifted, and by Him accepted be.  Sancta Mater, istud agas, prone introducas plagas cordi fixas valide.  Holy Mother, deign to bless me, with His sacred Wounds impress me, let them in my heart abide;  Tui Nati caelo lapsi, iam dignati faeno nasci, poenas mecum divide.  Since He came, thy Son, the Holy, to a birth-place, ah, so lowly, all His pains with me divide.  Fac me vere congaudere, Iesulino cohaerere, donec ego vixero.  Make me with true joy delighted, to Child-Jesus be united while my days of life endure;  In me sistat ardor tui, puerino fac me frui dum sum in exilio.  While an exile here sojourning, make my heart like thine be burning with a love divine and pure. Spotless Maid and sinless Woman, make us feel a fire in common, make my heart's long longing sure.  Virgo virginum praeclara, mihi iam non sis amara, fac me parvum rapere.  Virgin of all virgins highest, prayer to thee thou ne'er denyest, let me bear thy sweet Child too.  Fac, ut pulchrum infantem portem, qui nascendo vicit mortem, volens vitam tradere.  Let me bear Him in my bosom, Lord of life, and never lose Him, since His birth doth death subdue.  Fac me tecum satiari, Nato me inebriari, stantem in tripudio.  Let me show forth how immense is the effect on all my senses of an union so divine. All who in the crib revere Him, like the shepherds watching near Him, will attend Him through the night,  Inflammatus et accensus, obstupescit omnis sensus tali me commercio.  By thy powerful prayers protected, grant, O Queen, that His elected may behold heaven's moving light.  Fac, me Nato custodiri, verbo Dei praemuniri conservari gratia.  Make me by His birth be guarded, by God's holy word be warded, by His grace till all is done;  Quando corpus morietur, fac, ut animae donetur tui nati gloria. Amen.  When my body lies obstructed, make my soul to be conducted, to the vision of thy Son. Amen.  From Latin Hymns, March, 1894. Translation by Denis Florence MacCarthy

Verbum caro factum est - Jn 1:14

Mary's Fiat, humble, submissive, the most important, the most confidential, the most sacred colloquy that ever took place on earth between two created beings!

Here's the post that I promised in my previous post, on the Annunciation of the BVM, when I wrote that I would post more about the Annunciation after my exam on Wednesday :)

From "Alone with God" by Fr. J. Heyrman, S.J. :
March 25
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

1. On this day the Church commemorates the most mysterious and the most solemn event in the history of mankind and of the universe. God, whom neither time nor eternity can encompass, enters our created world; He becomes man in the virginal womb of her that is blessed amongst women. This is the central mystery of our Faith. Whatever went before was merely a preparation for this sublime mystery, which links what is highest with what is lowest; whatever comes after is the result, till “the end when He (Christ) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father, when He shall have brought to nought all principality, and power, and virtue” (1 Cor. 15:24). We may behold Mary in converse with the angel.

2. Petition: The grace “to rise to the contemplation of God made man; to approach this sanctuary in a spirit of humble devotion, striving to gain spiritual knowledge through reverence and love, rather than to gain love through knowledge.

I. Mary, God’s Ultimate Instrument

The first step towards the incarnation of the Son of God was creation itself. For the Son is the “first-born of every creature … for in Him were all things created in heaven and on earth … all things were created by Him and in Him” (Col. 1: 15, 16).

After He had created our material universe, God created man, who is both matter and spirit. “And when the fullness of time was come” the Son of God would unite with the Divinity man’s nature composed of matter and spirit. Then came sin into the world, but man’s sin could not make void the divine decree; because of sin God’s plan was realized in a manner even more sublime. Not only will God’s only-begotten Son become man, but will also be the Saviour and restorer of all things.

Another step towards the implementation of God’s inscrutable design was the election of the Jewish people. Its mission was to preserve faith in the one true God, when all nations had lapsed into idolatry, and to keep alive the expectation of the Saviour: the Messiah was to be born in the house of Abraham. It is noteworthy that the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of David, son of Abraham, which we read in the first chapter of St. Matthew, contains the names of not a few that were sinners (how could it be otherwise?), till we come to the name of “Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ” (Mt. 1:16).

We admire the delicate attention with which divine Wisdom prepares the last stage for the incarnation of the Son. God preserves her, who is to be His Son’s Mother, from every stain of sin. Mary was conceived without sin, redeemed in a sublime manner in prevision of Christ’s merits. The fullness of grace, which God had bestowed on her at the beginning, could and did grow steadily. That she had resolved to remain a virgin, and yet to espouse Joseph, we may attribute to a special guidance of the Spirit. Such guidance seems appropriate in the case of one that had been preserved from original sin, and chosen to become the Mother of God.

And thus Mary, though she was not aware of it, became God’s ultimate instrument in the consummation of His great design.

II. The Angel’s Message

On that memorable day, the “Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth”. The account of St. Luke (who was a physician) (1:26-37), the details of which he must have received from Mary herself, records the most important, the most confidential, the most sacred colloquy that ever took place on earth between two created beings. Let us, with reverence and devotion, read once again those “words”, which Mary kept in her heart, even more religiously than anything else, connected with those sacred events.

The Angel salutes her, allays her fears, does not ask whether she consents, but tells her she shall bear a Son, and yet remain a virgin, “because no word shall be impossible with God”.

Mary hears the message from heaven, thinks it right to ask a question; the angel gives her the answer, which removes every difficulty; and then she gives her consent. We admire her prudence, her wisdom, her sincerity, her humility.

III. Mary’s Answer

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word” (Lk. 1:38). Mary’s Fiat was the most powerful word ever uttered by created lips. It was not a command, as when the Creator said, Fiat Lux; it was a Fiat spoken in acceptance of God’s will, a humble Fiat, befitting a creature, even a creature chosen to be the Mother of God, and Queen of Heaven and earth. And yet it was a mighty word, for which God waited to become man. And it was uttered in the fullness of her liberty. “Thou shalt bear a Son,” said the Angel; freely Mary gave her assent. God has been pleased to endow us with free will: that freedom He respects in every man, also in Mary, the holiest and most exalted of all His creatures.

Her Fiat implied the absolute and unlimited acceptance of God’s plan for man’s salvation, and of the part that was reserved for her in that plan. Did God, at that hour, vouchsafe unto her further light as to the manner in which our salvation was to be wrought: through suffering, death, and resurrection? About this, revelation is silent. But we know that, whatever light God was pleased to give her, she still had to walk by faith. “Blessed art thou that hast believed,” said St. Elizabeth. She was and remained the humble “handmaid of the Lord”, abiding by her Fiat all her life, till she stood at the foot of the cross.

Prayer: O God, by whose will Thy Word took Flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the message of Thy angel; grant us, who implore Thee, that we may enjoy the intercession before Thee of her whom we truly believe to be the Mother of God. Through the same Lord (Collect of the Feast).
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Deo gratias et Mariae!

Amor meus crucifixus est.

Mon Dieu, comment je T'aime!

p/s: This link I got from The Beatific Vision's blog, on the Life of Mary compiled by Raphael Brown. Beautiful! I was reading about St. Anne and St. Joachim from the preview of the book in the amazon bookstore. I have the Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda, and dear me, it's one of my best books I have on the life of Mary. Do check out the link on the Life of Mary compiled. very beautiful. :)

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The ArchAngel Gabriel: "... quia non erit impossibile apud Deum omne verbum."

(Because no word shall be impossible with God.)

The Annunciation by Fra Angelico

Dixit autem Maria: "Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum."

(And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.)

Beautiful! Very Beautiful.

From the 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal:

This is the great Festival of the Incarnation, commemorating the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to our Lady that the Divine Sone of God, the Word, (VERBVM CARO FACTVM EST), would take human nature upon Him in her virginal womb. Its date is determined by that of Christmas Day, and as the day which marked the beginning of the Christian dispensation that was for many centuries regarded as the first day of the civil year.

On this day the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, uniting for evermore our human nature to the Divine nature. The mystery of the Incarnation brings vividly before us the boundless condescension and humility of God the Son in stooping to our condition in order to be our Saviour. Equally it proclaims the glory and greatness of Mary, who was chosen to give to the Divine Word human flesh and human birth, and so to co-operate with God in the restoration of mankind. Hence her most glorious title of "Mother of God," which explains all her glories, her sanctity, and her honour.

p/s:

Here's a link to something I blogged awhile ago, on decisions and doing the will of dearest God. In the meanwhile I will post more about the Annunciation after my exam on Wednesday. Do pray for me, =D, I need all the help I can get. Deo volente!

Amor meus crucifixus est!

Parce Domine, parce populo tuo: ne in aeternum irascaris nobis.