Have you ever prayed the Litany of Loreto?  This litany is asking for the intercession of our Blessed Mother through her various titles, which are grounded in Scripture and Tradition.  These titles are beautiful because they reveal the great gift of Mary through her various names. Yet, as you look through the titles, you see that they are all given to her because of her Son, Jesus Christ. 

For example, let’s look at the title “Mary, Seat of Wisdom.”  This comes from the verse in Matthew’s Gospel when the Wise Men come to seek Christ.  Scripture says, “Going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11).  Jesus was on Mary’s lap, hence seat, when the Wise Men worshiped the Lord.  Mary is the ultimate seat of wisdom because her son, Jesus, sat on her lap! 

“Mary, Mother of all Grace”, is usually the title given to the image of Mary standing on the world while crushing the head of the serpent (which fulfills the prophecy in Genesis 3:15).  This image is actually in our adoration chapel.  In the Church’s understanding and tradition, Mary is crushing the head of the serpent while Jesus is conceived in her womb. She is able to crush the head of the serpent because of her son Jesus Christ.

This leads us to our Feast Day of “Our Lady of Mercy.” I’m sure our Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ will cringe hearing this title, thinking that we are worshipping Mary as God. That is not the case.  Mary is given this title, as seen in the image on the wall of our parish, because Mercy itself sits on her lap. From his birth, even to his death, Jesus is depicted in Mary’s arms- such as in Michelangelo’s great artwork of the Pieta. Mary’s mercy is founded on Christ her son, the source of love that is reaching down to save us from our sins.

One last image is seen in the book of Revelation, where there is a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelves stars (Revelation 12:1).  Mary continues in the tradition of the Church to represent the moon. In darkest times, she reflects the sunlight of the true Son of God. How often do we need Mary’s guidance to make our way to her Son, the Light of the World! 

I believe that as we celebrate Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, we too can follow the example set forth in her titles. May we, like Mary, reflect the love of Jesus Christ, share all wisdom, grace & mercy, and reflect God’s love to those that we meet!   

Father Michael