Mary: image and model during this time of trial

The journey of faith of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is the theme of the sermons for Lent that were recorded –due to the Coronavirus emergency— in the Redemptoris Mater chapel in the Vatican and then offered to the Roman Curia and to Pope Francis. “It was an arduous path that knew moments of great suffering, but that reveals to us the closeness and at the same time the greatness of the Virgin,” said the Preacher of the Pontifical Household, Br. Raniero Cantalamessa OFMCap.

Due to the public health situation, this year is an exceptional one in that Br. Raniero’s Lenten sermons can be seen and heard entirely on YouTube. We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Watch and listen to Br. Raniero’s second sermon – 20 March 2020

Watch and listen to Br. Raniero's third sermon - 27 March 2020

Adriana Masotti – Città del Vaticano

Meditating on Mary's own advancement of faith as the Mother of Jesus, but also as the first disciple of her own Son, is also a way "to put ourselves under the protection of the Virgin in a time of such hard testing for all humanity", begins Br. Raniero Cantalamessa who named his reflection taking the words of Jesus from the Gospel: "Woman, how does your concern affect me?".

The preacher goes on to say that Mary is present in all three key moments of our salvation: the Incarnation (of course), the Paschal Mystery and Pentecost. And, these three presences of Mary "ensure her a unique place next to Jesus". “The purpose of this meditation,” he continues, “is to follow Mary during the public life of Jesus and to see how she is an example and model for our times".

Source: Vaticannews.va