From Archbishop Donoghue
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First Atlanta Marian conference |
[See Georgia Bulletin account] Dear Friends in Christ, On any feast of Mary, the Mother of God, or at any event set aside in her honor, I believe that we all, as Catholics, (and as friends of the Catholic Church), share in something that is very special - something that sets us apart from other Christian denominations, but at the same time, causes us to rethink and perhaps refresh our feelings about our place in the world, and about what is truly important in human life. For alone among the Churches, we are faithful, throughout the year and on special occasions like today, in paying honor to the Mother of God, in a specific and focused way - on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, for the sublime holiness of her soul, which the Church teaches, was prepared by God, from the beginning of time, to receive His Spirit - by this exceptional miracle, Mary was able to conceive, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, the Son of God - and by this same miracle, Jesus became human, and took a share in our sorrow, that we might in turn take our share in His Risen Glory. In terms of doctrine, in terms of the official teaching of the Church, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, whose readings we have heard today, along with the Feast of Mary's Assumption into heaven, describe for us how God singled out Mary to enjoy these special favors, and why, of all the saints in Heaven, she is the first and the greatest. But in our hearts, I think we are ultimately moved to love Mary, and to seek her help, not so much because of her magnificence in the pantheon of saints, and not so much because of her exalted place in the doctrines of our Church - rather, I think our love and devotion to Mary springs more from our admiration and identification with her human virtue - the simplicity of her obedience - the constancy of her humility - her devoted motherhood and her long-suffering endurance at the side of her Son, Jesus Christ, as He travailed, suffered, and died - and after His Resurrection, for the steadfast devotion that she showed to the Apostles and to the young Church, fulfilling the command given to her by her own Son, as He hung upon the Cross - “Woman, behold thy son.” These are the qualities that draw us to Mary, the Mother of God, and make us quick to understand that she is our Mother in Faith as well. Consider the human outpouring of praise that we hear in her Gospel prayer, the message we affectionately call the Magnificat. Mary exclaims: "My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord. . . My spirit finds joy in God. . . who has done great things for me." The only self-mention that Mary makes in this prayer is to call herself a "lowly servant," and to say that the ages will call her blessed - not for her own worth, but because God has looked upon her so kindly. My dear friends, Mary’s is the kind of conduct, the kind of attitude, the kind of spirit that we need to admire, to study, to ponder, and somehow try to work into every moment of our conscious lives, if we are to benefit from the great blessing God has given us in her person. Our questions and assertions at this Conference, and throughout our lives should be, according to her example - not who am I, but who does God make me - not how can I devise the manner of my own fulfillment, but how may I trust and obey and bring about the goodness that God has appointed for me to do, if I choose to cooperate with Him - if I choose to follow Mary, and say, “Be it done unto me, according to thy word.” In this quest, Mary's trust and obedience are the keys to understanding how we may give ourselves to God, and of how we may answer the call of Jesus Christ, to His service in the mission of the holy Church, the mission of the holy Gospel. Dear friends, let us take full advantage of this Conference, to think about Mary, to renew our devotion to her, and to study the best ways possible to follow her superb example. And finally, let us ask that she intercede for us at the side of her Son in heaven, that the Father will hear her prayers on our behalf, and grant us every mercy and blessing, now, and especially at the hour of our death. Amen. + |