FS #47: Mary’s Role, Part 1 – Oct 11 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Oct 11, 2023,  where he continues his series on Franciscan Spirituality, starting a new section, "Mary's Role" in our spiritual journey to God. The Marian emphasis explains why Franciscans were such big promoters of her Immaculate Conception and devotion to Mary in general.

Today, Father delves deeper into Franciscan spirituality, focusing on Our Lady. Pope Pius IX's Apostolic Letter "Inefabilis Deus" proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and emphasized the intimate bond between the Virgin Mary and Christ. Franciscans have always revered Mary as associated with Christ, echoing sentiments found in Dante's "Paradise" and the teachings of St. Bernardine of Siena. Our Lady stands beside Christ in glory, as highlighted in Psalm 45:9 - The queen stands at your right hand - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/45?9.

Franciscan spirituality places Mary's veneration alongside that of her Divine Son. You cannot honor Jesus while disregarding His mother. St. Francis displayed profound Marian devotion, showing his love for her at places like San Damignano and St. Mary of the Angels3. His heartfelt prayers to Our Lady highlight his unwavering devotion. This devotion to Mary has its roots in the Church's tradition, with thinkers like St. Irenaeus, St. Epiphanius, and St. Cyril of Alexandria enhancing Marian veneration over time. Moreover, Franciscan theology was foundational for the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, a truth confirmed by Our Lady herself at Lourdes when she proclaimed to St. Bernadette, "I am the Immaculate Conception."

Franciscan insights highlight Mary's unique position beside Jesus, the Son of God. If Jesus is the masterpiece of God, Mary holds the highest rank among pure creatures, full of God's grace and charity. Her profound connection with the Incarnation means that without Mary, there would be no Incarnation. As St. Paul says, Jesus is the "firstborn of all creation" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?15. St. Francis acknowledges Mary's unparalleled status in his "Office of the Passion". Franciscan theology sees Mary as the collaborator with Jesus, essential in God's divine predestination, both in time and eternity.

00:00 - Introduction
00:14 - Pius IX on Mary's Role
00:59 - Franciscans Defend Mary's Glory
02:07 - Mary Inseparable from Christ
03:10 - San Damignano and St. Mary of the Angels
04:22 - St. Francis' Devotion to Mary
05:09 - St. Francis' Salutation to Mary
06:20 - Francis' Marian Devotion in Tradition
07:00 - Franciscans Theologians of Mary
08:04 - Mary's Place Alongside Jesus
09:40 - Mary Collaborator with Christ
11:02 - Mary and Jesus United
11:26 - Conclusion on Loving Mary More

This is a continuation of his series of homilies on Franciscan Spirituality - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom

The material for this series comes primarily from Ciccarelli, Marciano M., "I capisaldi della spiritualità francescana" in Italian, which translates as "The Cornerstones of Franciscan Spirituality". No English translations exist at the time of this recording.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. John XXIII - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7305
Readings: Wednesday 27th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/101123.cfm
1st: jon 4:1-11
Resp: psa 86:3-6, 9-10
Gsp: luk 11:1-4

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=725&r=1519

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