(Prepared by P. Gorazd, O.Carm.)
In the previous issue of our magazine, we published an article titled Mary – Mother of Hope along with an image of the eponymous icon. Both were related to the pilgrimage of young people to Rome, which this year was organized by the Order of Carmelites (O.Carm.). Only later did I discover that this perspective on Mary was – probably intentionally, although it was not explicitly mentioned – taken from the conclusion of a papal document issued by John Paul II on June 28, 2003, on the eve of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, in the 25th year of his pontificate, and is fully titled: post-synodal apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Europa on Jesus Christ living in his Church, the source of hope for Europe.1
It is therefore appropriate not only to mention this source of inspiration, but it will undoubtedly also benefit us to recall at least the conclusion of the aforementioned document and the prayer to Mary – Mother of Hope contained therein.
Entrusting Ourselves to Mary
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun” (Rev 12:1)
The Woman, the Dragon, and the Child
122. The entire history of the Church is accompanied by “signs” that stand before the eyes of all but require interpretation. Among them, the Book of Revelation presents the “great sign” that appeared in heaven and tells of the battle between a woman and a dragon. The woman clothed with the sun, who is in labor before giving birth (cf. Rev 12:1-2), can be understood as Israel giving birth to the Messiah, “the one who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron” (Rev 12:5; cf. Ps 2:9). But she is also the Church, the people of the New Covenant, exposed to persecution yet protected by God. The dragon is “the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole earth” (Rev 12:9). The battle is uneven: the dragon seems to have the upper hand, such is his arrogance toward the defenseless and suffering woman. In reality, the victorious one is the son whom the woman bore. In this battle, one thing is certain: the dragon has already been defeated, “he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Rev 12:9). He was overcome by his death and resurrection by Christ, God who became man, and by the martyrs “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11). And even though the dragon will continue in his resistance, there is nothing to fear because his defeat has already occurred.
123. This certainty fills the Church on its pilgrimage as it recognizes in the woman and the dragon its own history. The woman who bears the boy reminds us of Mary, especially at the moment when she was pierced with pain at the foot of the cross, as she gives birth to the Son as the victor over the prince of this world. She is entrusted to John, and he is entrusted to her (cf. John 19:26-27), and thus Mary becomes the mother of the Church. Thanks to the bond that connects Mary with the Church and the Church with Mary, the mystery of the woman is better clarified: “Indeed, Mary, present in the Church as the Mother of the Redeemer, has a maternal participation in ‘the intense battle against the powers of darkness’” that takes place throughout human history.
And for this identification of the Church with “the woman clothed with the sun” (Rev 12:1), it can be said that “the Church has already attained in the blessed Virgin a perfection without stain or wrinkle.”2
124. The entire Church therefore looks to Mary. Thanks to the very numerous Marian shrines scattered across all the nations of this continent, the veneration of Mary is very alive and widespread among the European nations.
The Church in Europe continues to contemplate Mary and recognizes that she is “motherly present and fully participating in the multiple and serious problems that today fill the lives of individuals, families, and nations. See in her the helper of the Christian people in the unceasing battle between good and evil, so that they may not ‘fall,’ or if they fall, that they may ‘rise again’.”3
Prayer to Mary, Mother of Hope
125. In this reflection, nourished by pure love, Mary appears to us as an image of the Church, which lives in hope and recognizes the salvific and merciful work of God, in whose light it recognizes its own path and the entire history. Mary helps us today to understand the events around us in relation to her Son Jesus. Mary is the new creation, formed by the Holy Spirit, and fosters in us the growth of the virtue of hope.
To her, to the Mother of Hope and Comfort, let us confidently turn with our prayer, entrusting to her the future of the Church in Europe and all the women and men of this continent:
Mary, Mother of Hope,
walk with us!
Teach us to proclaim the living God,
help us bear witness to Jesus, the only Savior,
make us ready to serve others,
to welcome the needy,
to strive for justice,
to fervently build a more just world;
intercede for us, who work in history
with the certainty that the Father’s plan will be fulfilled;
Dawn of the new world,
show that you are the Mother of Hope and watch over us;
watch over the Church in Europe:
that through it the gospel may shine;
that it may be an authentic place of communion;
that its mission to proclaim and celebrate the gospel of hope
and to serve it for the peace and joy of all may be alive.
Queen of Peace, protect humanity in the third millennium!
Watch over all Christians:
may they continue confidently on the path of unity
as a leaven for the harmony of the continent.
Watch over the young, hope of the future:
may they generously respond to Jesus’ call.
Watch over the responsible leaders of nations:
may they engage in building a common “house,”
in which the dignity and rights of each are respected.
Mary, give us Jesus!
Grant that we may follow Him and love Him!
He is the hope of the Church, of Europe, and of humanity.
He lives with us, among us, in His Church.
With you we pray:
“Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20.)
May the hope of glory that you have poured into our hearts
bear the fruits of justice and peace!
A beautiful image of Mary from the altar in the choir chapel of the Carmelite monastery in Straubing, Bavaria. Though Mary is not depicted here as the Mother of Hope, the inscription on the image refers to her as the Joy of the Carmelites. And that is a name that instills hope and warms the heart...
