MAY DEVOTION: UNDERSTANDING THE MARIAN TITLES IN THE LITANY OF LORETO. DAY 4: “MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE”

After invoking her with the title: “Mother of Christ”, next, the Church goes on to invoke her with the title: “Mother of Divine Grace”, and this becomes our topic for today. What does this title mean? Does this mean that she is the source of divine grace such that she becomes equal to God? Or does it mean that she possesses the same power as that of Christ in dispensing graces? Or is she greater than God’s graces, being the mother? What can “Mother of Divine Grace” mean?

The Blessed Virgin Mary is called “Mother of Divine Grace”, first of all, because She is the Mother of Jesus Christ. It is Christ of whom St. Paul refers to as the ‘Grace of God’ revealed to save the whole human race (cf. Titus 2: 11). Who is St. Paul talking about in Titus 2:11? Who is the Grace of God if not Jesus Christ himself, the Way, Truth and Life? Thus, Jesus is the divine grace promised by God, and since the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Woman who provided the “Divine Grace” a real human body, it cannot be denied that she is the mother of Divine Grace. Little wonder when describing the great mystery of the incarnation of the Eternal Word, St. John the evangelist refers succinctly to Christ as “Full of Grace and Truth” (cf. Jn. 1:14). As such, God deemed it fit for Mary to enjoy the state of sanctifying grace all through her life (‘Kecharitomene’ – Lk. 1:28) in order to be a worthy aqueduct of the “Divine Grace” – our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, whenever we pray the “Hail Mary, full of grace…”, we are saying that our Lady is full of the life of God since she was his most generous co-worker and humble servant of the Lord. Put differently, Mary freely cooperated in the work of the salvation of humanity, in deep and constant harmony with her Divine Son.

To invoke Mary as the “Mother of Divine Grace” means to feel the need for the gift of the Father – our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given to mankind through her instrumentality, and also be ready to welcome her (the channel through which God’s graces flow) with an open heart.

The Dogmatic Constitution On The Church: “Lumen Gentium” summarizes our thoughts on Mary’s predestination to be the Mother of God in the following words:

“Predestined from eternity by that decree of divine providence which determined the incarnation of the Word to be the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin was on this earth the virgin Mother of the Redeemer, and above all others and in a singular way the generous associate and humble handmaid of the Lord. She conceived, brought forth and nourished Christ. She presented Him to the Father in the temple and was united with Him by compassion as He died on the Cross. In this singular way, she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Saviour in giving back supernatural life to souls. Wherefore she is our mother in the order of grace. This maternity of Mary in the order of grace began with the consent which she gave in faith at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, and lasts until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this salvific duty, but by her constant intercession continued to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and cultic, until they are led into the happiness of their true home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked by the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix. This, however, is to be so understood that it neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the one Mediator. For no creature could ever be counted as equal with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer (…) The Church does not hesitate to profess this subordinate role of Mary. It knows it through unfailing experience of it and commends it to the hearts of the faithful, so that encouraged by this maternal help they may more intimately adhere to the Mediator and Redeemer.” (L.G. #61-61)

Above all, by invoking Mary as the “Mother of Divine Grace”, we feel how much She is our Mother in the order of grace. Therefore, with Jesus, in Jesus, for Jesus, through Jesus, and depending on Jesus, she generates divine grace in us, maternally bringing Jesus to our souls.

May our Lady, the “Mother of Divine Grace”, continually pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen

Shalom!
© Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora de Fatima, Vila Sabrina, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com

___________________________________

PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?

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Chinaka Justin Mbaeri

A staunch Roman Catholic and an Apologist of the Christian faith. More about him here.

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Diana Broussard
Diana Broussard
1 year ago

Very nicely stated. Thank you for the explanation

Ujumax
Ujumax
5 months ago

May our mother of Divine grace always intercede for us , amen.

Sule Adanu
Sule Adanu
5 months ago

Amen

Anyanwu Akachi Kizito
Anyanwu Akachi Kizito
5 months ago

Mother of Divine Grace”,
Pray for us.

Michael Umande
Michael Umande
5 months ago

Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen

Miriam Akaakase
Miriam Akaakase
5 months ago

Mother of Divine Grace pray for us

Tonia Campbell
Tonia Campbell
5 months ago

Amen

Grace Orpin
Grace Orpin
5 months ago

Mother of divine grace pray for us

Victoria Agbonyeme
Victoria Agbonyeme
5 months ago

Well done ohooooo padre for the detail explanation on one the litany of our mother Mary. God bless you.

Chris Onyegbule
Chris Onyegbule
5 months ago

May Mary the Mother of grace perpetually intercede for us to God as we seek God’s divine touch and presence in our lives. Amen.

Sabina Onyebi
Sabina Onyebi
5 months ago

Mary mother of divine grace intercede for us amen.

Clement Aneke
Clement Aneke
5 months ago

Mother of Devine Grace, pray for us

Miriam Chigbu
Miriam Chigbu
5 months ago

O Mother of Divine Grace, Pray for me, my husband, my children and my siblings. Amen

Titilayo Ogbor
Titilayo Ogbor
5 months ago

Amen

Aikpokhio Anne
Aikpokhio Anne
5 months ago

May our Lady, the “Mother of Divine Grace”, Pray for Us. Amen

Aondover Demvihin scholarstica
Aondover Demvihin scholarstica
5 months ago

Amen.

Okereafor Nkechi Valentina
Okereafor Nkechi Valentina
5 months ago

Mary Mother of Grace, please intercede for us that we may always be enjoying divine graces from God, through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.
Padre thank you so much.

Judith Eruotor
Judith Eruotor
5 months ago

Mary, mother of divine grace pray for us amen

Adeola Odedeji
Adeola Odedeji
5 months ago

Mother of Divine Grace pray for me and intercede to your son to grant my prayers and petitions Amen

Roselyn Ariteshurma Okuku
Roselyn Ariteshurma Okuku
5 months ago

May our lady, mother of divine Grace continue to intercede for us all.

Philomena
Philomena
5 months ago

Mother of Divine Grace and dispenser of all Divine graces, pray for us who have recourse to you.
Give us the graces we need in life to succeed in all our endeavour and remain faithful children of God. Amen.

Justina Akende
Justina Akende
5 months ago

Morning Star, pray for us.Amen

Ngosoo Perpetua Chia
Ngosoo Perpetua Chia
5 months ago

Mary Mother of Divine grace, pray for us Amen.

Nwadigo Chinyere
Nwadigo Chinyere
5 months ago

Mother of divine grace, pray for us

Aromashodu Bisi
Aromashodu Bisi
5 months ago

Mother of divine grace! Pray for us. Amen

Ezeugwu Eucharia #G6sssa3 Done
Ezeugwu Eucharia #G6sssa3 Done
5 months ago

Mother of Devine Grace, pray for us

Florence Agbidye
Florence Agbidye
5 months ago

Amen

Emeka Odugu
Emeka Odugu
5 months ago

Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us

Mrs. Olachi Peters
Mrs. Olachi Peters
5 months ago

May the Lord bless us through the intercession of our mother Mary, grant us all our good heart desires, answer our prayers and intentions and bring us to everlasting life Amen.

Ufy
Ufy
5 months ago

Amen. Dear Mother Mary please grant me journey mercies to and fro always. Amen.

Angela Uso
Angela Uso
5 months ago

Amen

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