MARIAN SPIRITUALITY

AND RESISTANCE TO A GODLESS CULTURE

Recollection IHMS
 WHO WE ARE
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INFLUENCES CHOICES

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 We welcome Mary to influence us. IHMS

How Mary’s virtues are counter-cultural

o Mary as privileged for being chosen

o Mary as powerful intercessor
o Also important: Mary as model and witness because like us she was a
believer, a pilgrim in the journey of faith
o Four (4) important moments in Mary’s life from which to learn
counter-cultural virtues
o Summarized by 4 powerful biblical verbs: Fiat, Magnificat,
Conservabat & Stabat
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 1. FIAT
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”Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.” (Lk 1:38)

o Mary’s YES; “Let it be done unto me according to your word”
o Obedience even when not everything is clear
o Obedience founded on trust that God is in charge and He knows
what is best
o In contrast, the culture insists on boundless autonomy
o I decide for myself; the Self is supreme
o “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul” (William
Ernest Henley, “Invictus”)
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 2. MAGNIFICAT
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“Magnificat anima mea Dominum” (Lk 1:46)

o Mary’s song of thanksgiving; “My soul magnifies the Lord”
o Gratitude for what God has done for her and for Israel
o Privilege and honor seen as blessings; what could have been
pride transformed into gratitude
o In contrast, the culture claims entitlement
o I deserve it; I don’t need to be thankful to anyone

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 3. CONSERVABAT
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“Maria conservabat omnia... in corde suo.” (Lk 2:19-52)

o “Mary kept/treasured all these (things) in her heart.”
o Consistently disposed to quiet reflection & prayer
o Looking at events and experiences with patience for ambiguity
and openness to God’s message
o In contrast, the culture saturates the day with noise
o There is relentless flow of auditory & visual stimulation resulting
to exhaustion & superficiality

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 4. STABAT
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“Stabat mater dolorosa iuxta crucem.” (cf. Jn 19:25)

o “Mary stood at the foot of the cross.”
o Mary stood for and by her son; her love transformed into fierce
commitment at the foot of the cross
o The other disciples ran; Mary stayed behind, fully committed to
be mother to her Son up to the end
o In contrast, the culture promotes convenience
o The supreme ethic is expedience – what is easy & quick

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 IHMS

1. What “verb” resonates best

REFLECTION & with you? How do you feel
about it?
PRAYER
2. Recall a moment in the past
months when you succeeded
FIAT, MAGNIFICAT, or failed to respond to a
CONSERVABAT, STABAT situation in the “Marian” way.
3. Bring your realizations to
prayer. What is God’s
invitation or message for you?
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