A Time of Reflection with Mary,
Mother of Mercy
Leaders Notes
The Holy Year of Mercy begins on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is an excellent day
on which to reflect on the mercy God showed to the world through Mary. Many people enjoy
coming together to pray the Rosary which encompasses the story of salvation from the moment of
Jesus’ conception through to a vision of the eternal realm in which Mary is crowned queen. The
session outlined here offers another possibility and can be used at any time in Advent (or other time
of the year. It uses the First Reading and Gospel of the Feast which tell again the story of the Fall and
God’s action to reconcile humanity to himself through the obedience of Mary.
The session could form the basis of an evening of prayer – or a morning of afternoon of reflection.
Create a setting using a statue or picture of Mary – either alone or holding the Child Jesus. Choose
one that fits your venue – don’t create something that would work in a cathedral in someone’s front
room!
You might begin with a Marian hymn or quiet piece of music to set the scene.
Opening Responses
Reader
We gather in the name of the Father:
All
Who called Mary from the flower of womanhood
to be the Second Eve –
the one destined to bring life to a fallen humanity.
Reader
All
We gather in the name of the Son:
The Second Adam
who came into the world to redeem the sin of the first –
born of the Second Eve
to bring redemption to God’s people.
Reader
All
We gather in the name of the Holy Spirit:
Who overshadowed a young woman
in her act of humble obedience
and conceived life within her
that would be the light and the life of all peoples.
Scripture Reading: Genesis 3: 9-15, 20
Short reflection
In both Creation accounts in the Bible, God delights in all that is made but takes especial joy in his
human children. In Genesis 1, God declares each stage of Creation as “good” until he creates
humanity – at which point it becomes “very good”. In Genesis 2, God creates a garden – a place of
beauty and life and plants Adam and later Eve in it to share it with him – to co-create and tend what
God has begun.
As those who told and wrote these accounts knew all too well – the blissful vision was not to last
long. Almost inevitably things went wrong – human beings preferred their own opinions and ways of
doing things even knowing that this put them at odds with God. Adam and Eve were tempted – gave
way to it – and sin and death were brought into the history of human beings.
Time of Quiet Reflection
In a short time of reflection, let us think about the signs of God’s goodness at work in Creation – all
that is good and beautiful.
Then think about the ways in which human beings continue to mar the balance and beauty – the
things that led the writers of Genesis to work out a myth – a story that tells deep truths – to try to
explain how people not only do not always work with God but sometimes seem to work against him.
If facilities permit you might put up a sequence of pictures of Creation – of the damage humans do –
or of the Garden of Eden before and after the Fall. Or you might have time before the Blessed
Sacrament or simply in front of the statue.
You might end this time with a piece of music or appropriate song.
Introduce the Gospel with these or your own words:
God did not abandon his people – though it took many centuries before the time was right. It took
someone specially graced – who was herself conceived without trace of sin – who was able to give
full consent to working with God and the unfolding of his great plan.
Gospel Reading: Luke 1: 26-38
Short Reflection
You might like to do a guided meditation on the Annunciation or put a picture on screen for people
to focus their reflections on. There is a Powerpoint on the CD that you might like to use or another
idea might be to collect images of the Annunciation (there are dozens that come up in an online
search). Invite people to choose one that attracts them and to spend a while praying with it… noting
the details and what they evoke in them.
………………………………………………………….
Optional – if time permits
Introduction to the Gospel
Shortly after the Annunciation, Mary left to stay with her kinswoman, Elizabeth who was herself
coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy. This is a powerful encounter – not only for
Elizabeth but between the two unborn children.
Gospel Reading: The Visitation
(read up to the point at which we are told that Mary sang/ said her Magnificat – and then either say
it together or, preferably, find a version that everyone can sing.
My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons for ever.
………………………………………………………………………….
Closing Prayer
Use these or your own words.
Mary’s obedience brought Christ into the world – she is known as the Mother of Mercy. As we
prepare to leave, we place a lighted candle (or a prayer petition) by the statue as a reminder of her
place in the great sweep of salvation history – and her gentle and intimate love for the children
(young and old) entrusted to her keeping.
Quiet music as people light their candles/ write and add their petitions.
End with the Salve Regina or music celebrating Mary’s life and love.
Other Readings for Immaculate Conception
Psalm 97
Ephesians 1: 3-6, 11-12
©Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle 2015