“Oh, how I love my Mother! She knows it; and then Jesus Himself gave Her to me and told me to love Her very much. And what great kindness this Heavenly Mother has always shown me! What would have become of me, if I have not had Her?” – St. Gemma Galgani
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
Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ, wrote a poem comparing the Virgin Mary to the air we breathe. Without the atmosphere, the sun would burn us up! In Old Testament times no man could look on God and live, but thanks to His coming through Mary, “Of her flesh he took flesh” at the Incarnation.
“Through her we may see him. Made sweeter, not made dim, And her hand leaves his light Sifted to suit our sight. Be thou then, thou dear Mother, my atmosphere.”
Resolution
The Blessed Virgin compared to the Air we Breathe by Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ.