The Seven Words of Mary

I made a reference to the number seven in the 15th of September post.  For the record, here are the seven words (utterances) of Mary in the Gospels.

First Word

[34] And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?

[34] Dixit autem Maria ad angelum : Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco? [Luke I]

Second Word

[38] And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord;

[38] Dixit autem Maria : Ecce ancilla Domini

Third Word

 be it done to me according to thy word.

[38]  fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.[Luke I]

Fourth Word

[46] And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. [47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. [48] Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. [49] Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
[51] He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. [52] He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. [53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. [54] He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy: [55] As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

[46] Et ait Maria : Magnificat anima mea Dominum : [47] et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo. [48] Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae : ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes, [49] quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est : et sanctum nomen ejus, [50] et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum. [51] Fecit potentiam in brachio suo : dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. [52] Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles. [53] Esurientes implevit bonis : et divites dimisit inanes. [54] Suscepit Israel puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae : [55] sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini ejus in saecula. [Luke I]

Fifth Word

[48] And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

[48] Et videntes admirati sunt. Et dixit mater ejus ad illum : Fili, quid fecisti nobis sic? ecce pater tuus et ego dolentes quaerebamus te. [Luke II]

Sixth Word

[3] And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine.

[3] Et deficiente vino, dicit mater Jesu ad eum : Vinum non habent. [John II]

Seventh Word

[5] His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.

[5] Dicit mater ejus ministris : Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite.  [John II]

Further reading: Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons from Cana and Calvary
by Fulton J. Sheen.
First published 1945

C.S. Lewis (Afterword) Helmut Thielicke (Afterword)Paul Claudel (Afterword)Leslie D. Weatherhead (Afterword)

Septem Dolorum Beatae Mariae Virginis

Today we commemorate the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I was fortunate to attend a Traditional Latin Mass at the Brompton Oratory, in the Chapel of the Seven Dolours.

Note the remarkable recurrence of the number seven: Mary  speaks seven times in the Gospels; Our Lord makes seven utterances on the Cross. There are many more in Scripture.





A short summary of the Seven Sorrows follows below.

(1) The prophecy of Simeon

Nunc dimittis...

[25] And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. [26] And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. [27] And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, [28] He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: [29] Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; [30] Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,[31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: [32] A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. [33] And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him

[34] And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; [35] And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. [Luke II]

(2)The flight into Egypt

[13] And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.

[14] Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: [15] That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.[Luke II]

(3) Loss of the Child Jesus for three days

[41] And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, [42] And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, [43] And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. [44] And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. [45] And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.[Luke II]

(4) Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary 

[27] And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. [28] But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children. [Luke XXIII]
[17] And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha [John XIX]

(5) Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

[25] Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.
[26] When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. [27] After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. [John XIX]

(6) The body of Jesus is taken down from the Cross 

[38] And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

[39] And Nicodemus also came, (he who at the first came to Jesus by night,) bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. [40] They took therefore the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths, with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. [John XIX]

(7) The burial of Jesus

[41] Now there was in the place where he was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein no man yet had been laid. [42] There, therefore, because of the parasceve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulchre was nigh at hand. [John XIX]

Family members lost...and found

On the Feast of Mary's birthday, I added the following prayer for family intentions:

MEMORARE, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Well, one of my petitions has just received an unexpected response: recently published, beautiful images of long lost family members. They all look happy and healthy; they are truly blessed to have each other's love and support. Deo gratias.

Today is the Feast of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Time for redoubling prayers of thanks to our gentle Queen and Mother: Mary, Maris Stella!

PS: The earliest known prayer to our Lady is found first in a Greek Papyrus from around the year 200. The words are contained in the Memorare prayer above. For more, please see Liturgical Notes blogspot.

Historical note

In 1683, the Turks set their sights on Christian Austria, setting out through Hungary with an army of approximately 300,000 men. The Grand Vizier Kara Mustapha had reached Vienna in July and laid siege to the city, which was being defended by only 15,000 men. The Polish king, Jan Sobieski, set out for Vienna in August, his forces marching behind the banner of the Blessed Virgin. Passing by the Sanctuary of Mary in Czestochowa, they implored Our Lady's help and blessing.

Battle was engaged before the walls of Vienna on September 12, 1683. One of the largest cavalry charges in history saw Sobieski, at the head of 20,000 Polish and German knights, storm the enemy camp. The Turkish forces were routed, Vienna was saved, and Sobieski sent the 'Standard of the Prophet' to Pope Innocent XI along with the good news. In a letter to the Pontiff, Sobieski summed up his victory in these words: Veni, vidi, Deus vicit: 'I came, I saw, God conquered!' To commemorate this glorious victory, and render thanksgiving to God and honour to Our Lady, Pope Innocent XI extended 'The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary' to the Universal Church.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Regina Caeli:

Magnificat anima mea

AVE maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
atque semper Virgo,
felix caeli porta.    

HAIL, O Star of the ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav'nly rest.

Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
funda nos in pace,
mutans Hevae nomen.    

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve's name.

Solve vincula reis,
profer lumen caecis
mala nostra pelle,
bona cuncta posce.    

Break the sinners' fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.

Monstra te esse matrem:
sumat per te preces,
qui pro nobis natus,
tulit esse tuus.    

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgo singularis,
inter omnes mites,
nos culpis solutos,
mitis fac et castos.    

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.

Vitam praesta puram,
iter para tutum:
ut videntes Iesum
semper collaetemur.    

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
tribus honor unus. Amen.    

Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.

With much love to our most gentle Queen and Mother.

Types and Antitypes

I have begun a new project for this site on this Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is a new tab entitled: Types and Antitypes. These will relate to the five Acts of the great drama in the Rosarium Aureum.

Here is one definition of 'type' and 'antitype':

a person, a thing, or an action, having its own independent and absolute existence ('type'), but at the same time intended by God to prefigure a future person, thing, or action ('antitype'). [Traditional Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913]

Here is an example by way of illustration:

The Ark of the Covenant contained:

•     Moses’ two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments
•     Manna, the bread from Heaven
•     Aaron’s rod which had budded with life

Compare this with the new Ark of the Covenant:

• Instead of God’s Word written in stone, Mary’s womb contained the Word made flesh
• Instead of manna from the wilderness, Mary’s womb contained the Bread of Life
• Instead of a staff from the first Levitical high priest, Aaron, Mary’s womb contained the great High Priest Himself, Jesus Christ
• Instead of a budding staff symbolizing resurrection, Mary’s womb contained the Resurrection and the Life Himself

Expiation

The foundations and main structural works of this site have now been completed. It is a great consolation to have been able to do this in time for a big day tomorrow: the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

I pray that it is not overly presumptuous of a peccator to offer this work of expiation in accordance with the words taught to the Fatima children on July 13 1917:

'O Jesus, it is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'

Fifth Decade: Scripture

The Harrowing of Hell

Jesus' side is pierced

[31] Then the Jews, (because it was the parasceve,) that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath day, (for that was a great sabbath day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [32] The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. [33] But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. [34] But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. [35] And he that saw it, hath given testimony, and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true; that you also may believe. [36] For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of him. [37] And again another scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced.  [John XIX]

Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in a sepulchre

[57] And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. [58] He went to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. [59] And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth. [60] And laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way. [61] And there was there Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre. [62] And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together to Pilate, [63] Saying: Sir, we have remembered, that that seducer said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise again. [64] Command therefore the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day: lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and say to the people: He is risen from the dead; and the last error shall be worse than the first. [65] Pilate saith to them: You have a guard; go, guard it as you know. [66] And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards. [Matthew XXVII]

[42] And when evening was now come, (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath,) [43] Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. [44] But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead. [45] And when he had understood it by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.[46] And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking him down, wrapped him up in the fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre. [47] And Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of Joseph, beheld where he was laid. [Mark XV]

[50] And behold there was a man named Joseph, who was a counsellor, a good and just man, [51] (The same had not consented to their counsel and doings;) of Arimathea, a city of Judea; who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. [52] This man went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. [53] And taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid. [54] And it was the day of the Parasceve, and the sabbath drew on. [55] And the women that were come with him from Galilee, following after, saw the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. [Luke XXIII]

[38] And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. [39] And Nicodemus also came, (he who at the first came to Jesus by night,) bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. [40] They took therefore the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths, with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.[41] Now there was in the place where he was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein no man yet had been laid. [42] There, therefore, because of the parasceve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulchre was nigh at hand. [John XIX]

The Resurrection

[1] And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre; and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre. [2] She ran, therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. [3] Peter therefore went out, and that other disciple, and they came to the sepulchre. [4] And they both ran together, and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. [5] And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying; but yet he went not in. [6] Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the linen cloths lying, [7] And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place. [8] Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw, and believed. [9] For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. [10] The disciples therefore departed again to their home. [11] But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, [12] And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid. [13] They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him. [14] When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus. [15] Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. [16] Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master). [17] Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God. [18] Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me. [19] Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. [20] And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. [21] He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. [22] When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. [23] Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. [John XX]

[13] And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. [14] And they talked together of all these things which had happened. [15] And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them.[16] But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. [17] And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? [18] And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days? [19] To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; [20] And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him.[21] But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done. [22] Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, [23] And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. [24] And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not. [25] Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken.[26] Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? [27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. [28] And they drew nigh to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. [29] But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them. [30] And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them.[31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. [32] And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? [33] And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, [34] Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. [35] And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.[36] Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. [37] But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. [38] And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? [39] See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. [40] And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet.[41] But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat? [42] And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. [43] And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them. [44] And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. [45] Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.[46] And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: [47] And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] And you are witnesses of these things. [Luke XXIV]

[1] After this, Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner. [2] There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. [3] Simon Peter saith to them: I go a fishing. They say to him: We also come with thee. And they went forth, and entered into the ship: and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. [5] Jesus therefore said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No. [6] He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore; and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. [7] That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him, (for he was naked,) and cast himself into the sea. [8] But the other disciples came in the ship, (for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. [9] As soon then as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread. [10] Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught. [11] Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken. [12] Jesus saith to them: Come, and dine. And none of them who were at meat, durst ask him: Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. [13] And Jesus cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish in like manner. [14] This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead. [John XXI]

The Ascension

The Descent of the Holy Ghost

[49] And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high.  [Luke XXIV]

The Assumption

The Second Coming