Week 07 (May 3-May 9)

By Mary Finlayson, RSCJ 

In his Letter to the Faithful for the month of May 2020, Pope Francis has invited the Church “to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary.”

He says, “Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial.”

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne and Janet Stuart, RSCJ, had great devotion to Mary, as one who is near to us and helps us draw nearer to Jesus. In 1844, Pauline Perdrau painted the fresco of Mater Admirabilis at the Trinita dei Monti in Rome, an image present in Sacred Heart schools and homes all over the world. 

As the global Church, as Sacred Heart family, One Body, indeed as "One Earth Community" (Earth Charter), we are called to be united in “this time of trial.”  

In our own reality and history, let us ask ourselves:

Who is Mary in my life? 

What is my relationship with Jesus’ Mother?

How might I pray with Mary for our suffering world this month?

With a Mother’s tender love, Mary, help us find hope, peace, courage and compassion, to continue our mission of love together.

 

Pope Francis’ Full Letter to the Faithful for the Month of May