“Christ is the first fruits from the dead and Mary is the first of the redeemed, the first of “those who are in Christ”. She is our Mother… our representative… she is the first of the redeemed, who has arrived in heaven.”— Pope Francis
Prayer for the Faithful at St. Francis Chapel
O Mother of Jesus, whose intercession strengthens the Church, conserve, increase and make fruitful this congregation at St. Francis Chapel. O Mary, you care for the brethren of your Son with a mother’s love; watch with maternal charity over all who rejoice today to be part of this family. Sustain our priests in their apostolate, protect travelers on their journeys, guide students who seek truth, heal the sick and afflicted, and be a bulwark for all the faithful who gather at this chapel in living out their vocations at home and in the marketplace. Blessed Mother, who have already reached the perfection of grace, mercifully pray for us that by the merits of your Son we shall increase in faith, hope and love till the consummation of heaven. Amen.
Reflection
As the first of the redeemed Our Lady is assumed into heaven body and soul. As the one who gave birth to the Son of God and as his first redeemed disciple the Blessed Virgin manifests the importance of the human body. It is one of God’s first gifts to us; it is an essential part of our identity and our destiny. The human body is an act of gratuitous creativity on the part of God and Mary’s whole life is a demonstration of the body’s holiness and its sacramentality.
Resolution
Perform one or more of the corporal works of mercy today. These are merciful acts that are bodily and material.