Mary, upon hearing the angel Gabriel's announcement about her pregnancy with Jesus, responds with, "I am the Lord's servant; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38).

Reflection for the Day

Humility of the Blessed Virgin

The Jews knew that the coming of the Savior of the world was fast approaching. Many had prepared themselves for it. Many must have dreamed of becoming the Mother of God. But the Blessed Virgin Mary wanted to be the servant of the Mother of God. She had prayed for the coming of the Savior. However, she did not consider herself worthy of being the mother of the Son of God.

Saint Augustine says that it was the humility of the Blessed Virgin that attracted the second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God, to her. Mary's profound humility is revealed through the Magnificat.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked upon the lowliness of his handmaid. From now on all generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:45-48). The Blessed Virgin glorifies God not only during the Magnificat, but throughout her life.

Through the Magnificat, Mary makes clear what true humility consists of. Knowing God and ourselves. Humility is giving us our due place in our relationship with God and with other creatures in the light of that true wisdom. The Holy Mother declares that humility is the reason for her glory.

The Mother of God is understanding and putting into practice the divine words of Christ, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." All generations will call me blessed. The Holy Virgin is making a prophecy here. When we examine the history of the Holy Church, we can see how self-evident that prophecy was. All the saints were eager to glorify Mary, not only Christians, but also non-Christians were interested in praising Mary.

Although she was elevated to the high position of the Mother of God, Mary lived as a humble virgin in Nazareth. Mary's humility and modesty shines through in her visit to Elizabeth, the birth of Christ, and the flight to Egypt. As children of the Holy Mother, we should imitate her and be humble. Blessed are the humble; for they will inherit the earth. We should apply the words of Christ in our lives.

Incident to reflect for the Day

The founder of Islam, Muhammad, the interpreter of the Quran, and many other prominent figures have praised the Blessed Virgin. Today, devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is famous throughout the world. In 1970, a program was conducted at the National Catechetical and Liturgical Centre in Bangalore.

In this program, three people, a Parsi, a Muslim, and Rajamanickam, a Hindu, told their stories of conversion. They stated that the reason for their conversion was their devotion to the Blessed Virgin. The conversion of the Hindu is especially remarkable. He was an atheist. He happened to attend the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the church attached to the seminary of the Congregation of Divine Salvation. He was worried about being unemployed even after earning his B.A. degree. He vowed to attend the Novena for nine days in order to get a job. He got a job after attending the Novena for just two days. He firmly believed that it was Mother Mary's help alone that earned him a job. He later attained a lot of knowledge about the Catholic faith.

In 1965, he became a member of the Catholic Church. Because of this, he lost about fifty thousand rupees that he was supposed to receive as his father's inheritance. But he said, "I have found complete peace and satisfaction." He proclaimed in front of hundreds of people that all worldly wealth is insignificant when I have the Holy Virgin Mary, my heavenly mother.

Prayer for the Day

Heavenly Father,
Today, I come before You with a heart open to Your will, just as Holy Mary did. Before time began, You chose her to carry out a divine mission of love and redemption. Her trust in You was deep, her surrender complete. Teach me, Lord, to trust You in the same way.

When I face uncertainty, give me the courage to say “yes” to Your plans. When fear surrounds me, let Your peace take root in my heart. May I learn from Mary’s humility, her patience, and her strength, and allow Your grace to guide my every step.

Use me today as an instrument of Your purpose. Let my words, my actions, and my thoughts reflect a willing heart that desires only to do Your will. Like Mary, may I walk with quiet faith, knowing that even the smallest act of obedience can lead to great things.
Amen.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate,despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Oh Holy Mary, conceived without original sin! O refuge of sinners! Here we come to your refuge. Have mercy on us and pray for us to your Son.
Our Father..Hail Mary..Glory be
Repeat Three times

Litany of Mother Mary

Hail Holy Queen
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then most gracious advocate, Thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us, the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Petitions to the Holy Mother of God

• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the Holy Church.
Hail Mary..
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the conversion of the Gentiles and others.
Hail Mary..
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the political authorities to uphold truth and justice.
Hail Mary..
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the authorities of the Holy Church, such as the Pope and others.
Hail Mary..
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the souls in purgatory, who are your beloved children.
Hail Mary..

Aspiration Prayer for the Day
Mary, the seedbed of holiness! May our hearts be conformed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.