SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
ANNIVERSARY OF OUR FOUNDATION DAY
AUGUST 15

NOVENA IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION
August 6-August 14

First Day

First Word:
“How Can This Be Since I Do Not Know Man?”

Introductory Verse

V/. The Lord chose her

R/. And predestined her.

Introduction

On November 1, 1950, Pius XII solemnly defined the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: “We proclaim, declare and define it to be a dogma divinely revealed, that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, after the completion of her earthly life, was assumed in body and soul into heavenly glory” (DS 3903).

Clearly the Mother of God was to receive a dwelling place in heaven before anyone else, and thus glorified, she could continue to watch over her children.

During important, difficult or memorable times of our life, our first thought often goes to “mother”. We recall her way of thinking, feeling, and acting and with the love characteristic of children, fondly remember her words and counsels. The Virgin Mary, before she was taken up to heaven, also left us some of her words. Although few, her words reveal a unique portrait of her personality both on a human and spiritual level as she lived the course of her life in this world. The feast of the Assumption is for each one of us the Anniversary of our Foundation, and we praise our Lord, giving thanks for the gift of our Blessed Mother and our Congregation.

Reading

Lk 1:26-34 “How can this be since I have no relations with a man?”

Commentary

Mary, the young maiden ofNazareth, to whom God offers the divine maternity, is surprised upon hearing the angel’s message. When she asks for an explanation, she receives a mysterious answer: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you…” (Lk 1:35).

She does not understand, but she believes and trusts. She makes no excuses and does not pause to consider if she is ready or if she is able. She knows that all things are possible for God and makes herself available to the divine plan as both Mother and Virgin.

“Mary’s choice of the state of virginity, which in God’s plan prepared her for the mystery of the Incarnation, was a courageous choice made in order to consecrate herself totally to the love of God” (MC 37).

We, who have chosen to consecrate ourselves to God’s love by answering his call, find in Mary a most excellent example. “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and of the Church… is our Mother in the order of grace. After Christ and subordinate to Him, Mary should occupy a special place of preference in our spiritual life” (C 41).

Petitions

a)     Lord, through the intercession of the attentive, praying, and offering Virgin, we ask for the grace to listen and pray over your divine Word. By remaining faithful to the Gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress, may our daily offering be pleasing to you as we dedicate ourselves to our sick brethren.

Hail Mary… Glory to the Father

b)     Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary who was steadfast and courageous at the foot of the Cross, we ask that as Servants of Mary, we may understand the value of accompanying our patients and bearing the Good News with your consolation and peace.

Hail Mary…Glory to the Father

c)      Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary who was taken up into heaven and glorified above all the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that she look upon all the Servants of Mary with motherly love. May she guide our steps and help us embody the spirit and charism lived by St. Maria Soledad so that, advancing along the path of perfect charity, we may one day come to possess the glory of heaven.

Hail Mary…Glory to the Father

Prayer

Lord, we ask that our Congregation may keep the spirit and charism of our Mother Foundress so that faithfully carrying out its mission of remaining at the bedside of the sick, it may be for them a living witness of Mary’s motherly love. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Second Day

Second Word:
“Behold I Am the Handmaid of the Lord.
May It Be Done to Me According to Your Word.”

Introductory Verse

V/. Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord

R/. May it be done to me according to your word.

Reading

Lk 1:35-38 “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Commentary

To be the “handmaid of the Lord” is Mary’s secret to holiness. With these words Mary declares that she does not belong to herself but to the Lord in whom she has placed all her trust.

Mary believes and surrenders herself while advancing in the dark. Her irreversible fiat is expressed as a joyous “yes” to the Father, showing her interior freedom, trust and serenity. She does not understand, nor does she know how her mission will be carried out. With total readiness she freely responds with her “fiat”. From then on, “The will of God will be the light of her life, her peace in the midst of suffering and the source of her joy” (Paul VI).

“May it be done to me…” is the attentive Virgin’s disposition, which receives the divine Word in faith, allowing her to become the Mother of God, begetting the Word in her womb. Hers is an attitude of “acceptance and of service in regard to the divine plan, giving herself in total surrender… this is the attitude all of us consecrated souls should have, after the example of Mary of Nazareth” (cf. VC 18).

This disposition is reflected in our Constitutions: “Our love of God, union with Him and a pure intention of pleasing Him alone will help us acquire the complete and total readiness of Mary: ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me’.” (C 5).

Petitions as on the first day

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you willed your Son to be born of the holy Virgin Mary. Through her intercession grant us the grace to serve you with a pure heart, to be ever open to your divine Will, and to be obedient to your Word as she was, so we may serve our patients with joy and dedication. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Third Day

Third Word:
“My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord…”

Introductory Verse

V/. Blessed are you, O holy Mary

R/. And worthy of all praise.

Reading

Lk 1:46-55 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…”

Commentary

“Mary, in her visit to the Mother of the Precursor, appears as the praying Virgin; her spirit opens out in expressions of glorification of God, of humility, of faith, of hope… such is the Magnificat” (MC 18).

After Mary and Elizabeth greet one another, Mary breaks forth into a song of joy, praising God her Savior. She sings a hymn of thanksgiving to God who is a faithful and powerful Father who works marvels in favor of the poor. In this canticle Mary expresses the greatness and joy of her soul, a joy more sublime than any other human heart has ever experienced. Christ lives in her. Her joy is united to her deep humility and thankfulness because the Lord has looked upon the littleness of his handmaid.

With the Magnificat, Our Lady opens to us paths of hope and of a deeper experience of our faith. She opens up paths of joy because he who can do all things is faithful and merciful from generation to generation.

“The praying Virgin of the Visitation urges us to go forth to meet human needs, to bring help, but above all to bring Jesus… to proclaim the mighty things the Lord accomplishes in the world…” (VC 112).

The praying Virgin teaches us that “it is our duty to be souls of prayer and of an intense interior life, firmly anchored in the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity; given to self-denial, ever willing to offer a constant ‘fiat’ of self-giving when the practice of charity demands humble sacrifice of us” (C 5).

Petitions as on the first day

Prayer

O God, Savior of mankind, who through the Virgin Mary brought salvation and joy toElizabeth’s house, grant us the grace to proclaim your greatness with the sanctity of our lives. May we go forth in joy to meet those who suffer, proclaiming the Word of salvation so that they may acknowledge Christ as their Savior. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Fourth Day

Fourth Word:
“Son, Why Have You Done This to Us?”

Introductory Verse

V/. Mary treasured all these things

R/. And reflected on them in her heart.

Reading

Lk 2:41-52 Jesus among the teachers

Commentary

Mary’s question, expressing her sorrow over the loss of her Son, is filled with love and total surrender, while at the same time manifesting her poverty, her deep humiliation, her pain and her submission to the divine plan.

“Nevertheless, it is consoling for us to know that the Blessed Virgin asked Jesus ‘why’ in the face of intense suffering… showing us in the Gospel scene that she did not always nor immediately understand the behavior of her Son… yet, in spite of this she believed, trusted and ‘kept all these things in her heart’ (Lk 2, 51)” (John Paul II).

In this episode narrated by St. Luke, Mary teaches us a double attitude – that of silence upon hearing her Son’s answer and that of serenity and poise, two very essential virtues we must practice in our constant search for God. They should permeate all the events of our lives, in adversity or prosperity, in joy or sorrow, and in those times which are difficult to understand. Mary shows us the way: silence, faith and prayer.

“The Servant of Mary should be distinguished by a deep, filial love of the Virgin Mary, Exemplar of a humble and hidden life with Christ in God” (C 6).

Petitions as on the first day

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you willed that Jesus remain in the temple ready to carry out your divine Plan. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, grant us the grace to enter more deeply into the mystery of your Will. Make us true disciples of your Son, keeping and meditating in our hearts your divine Word. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Fifth Day

Fifth Word:
“They Have No Wine”

Introductory Verse

V/. Blessed is the Virgin Mary

R/. Because she is compassionate with those in need.

Reading

Jn 2: 1-4 Jesus is invited to the wedding of Cana

Commentary

Jesus and Mary were present at a wedding in the city ofCana. During the banquet, Mary noticed that there was no more wine. With motherly tenderness, she went to her Son, saying, “They have no wine.” These words of both supplication and intercession reveal the greatness and importance of the prayer of petition. Mary teaches us that the purpose of prayer is not so much that God grants us our wishes but rather, it is to make us fit instruments in his hands, enabling us to receive his gifts.

“They have no wine.” Mary knows that wine cannot be missing at a banquet. This is why she intervenes before Jesus and is moved to take part in God’s plan. In this way Jesus performed his first miracle through the intercession of his Mother.

We should always have recourse to Mary who invariably leads us to Christ. “I have placed all my confidence in Mary… love for Mary and imitation of her exemplary life will lead us on to a more intimate sharing of life with Jesus Christ” (C 41).

Petitions as on the first day

Prayer

Heavenly Father, at the wedding feast ofCana, Mary performed her motherly role of mediation. We ask, through her intercession, that she continue to intercede for us so that your Son may help the afflicted, console the sorrowing, strengthen the wavering and give hope to the ill. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Sixth Day

Sixth Word:
“Do Whatever He Tells You”

Introductory Verse

V/. Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary

R/. Because you interceded with your Son, Jesus.

Reading

Jn 2:5-11 The first miracle of Jesus

Commentary

With these words, Mary reveals to us her extraordinary personality. Her firm and determined spirit was in perfect harmony with her goodness. She knew how to cope with the situation calmly and did not become discouraged in the face of Jesus’ apparent rejection. With respectful boldness she almost obliged Jesus to act, to perform the miracle of changing water into wine.

“Do whatever he tells you.” This is an effect of Mary’s deep love for Jesus, her profound faith, and her total acceptance of the mission entrusted to her by God. This mission implies self-denial and renunciation of all self-interest. Even though it entails suffering, this mission will make all things new in Jesus Christ. This is why Mary, trusting fully in him, intervenes as a concerned Mother, as the Woman associated with Christ’s work of salvation.

“Do whatever he tells you” are the last words pronounced by Mary in the Gospel.

“The Servant of Mary must be, like the Blessed Virgin: humble and single-hearted; charitable; serviceable and joyful; open to fraternal living and to mutual understanding” (C 6).

Petitions as on the first day

Prayer

Lord, you who in your providence willed the Virgin Mary to be present for the first miracle of your Son, grant us the grace to live all he taught us in the Gospel and to announce the hour of salvation to the whole world. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Seventh Day

Epilogue to Mary’s Life

Introductory Verse

V/. Rejoice, O Mary, full of grace

R/. Because you have listened to the divine Word.

Reading

Lk 8:19-21 “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Commentary

During this novena, Mary’s six words have gradually unveiled her true human-spiritual personality in all the specific stages of her life in which she walked by faith, hope and love, ever available and acceptant of the mission entrusted to her, while being conformed unto Christ.

Mary shows herself to us, says Paul VI, as the listening, praying, offering Virgin, faithful from the moment of her “let it be done unto me” at the Annunciation until her silent “fiat” at the foot of the cross, offering herself to the Father with Christ and in Christ for the salvation of the world.

The Virgin, the One full of grace, she who is Tabernacle and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, was transformed and enlivened by him, then taken up body and soul into heaven and is now completely united and identified with Christ. Now in glory she intercedes for all so that the Father may send the Holy Spirit upon his Church, conforming all humanity unto his Son, Jesus. Thus we can say that Mary’s assumption makes us aware of her powerful intercession, and from there comes our devotion to the Mediatrix of all graces!

It is good to remember that “a characteristic sign of the spirituality of the Servants of Mary… is a solid and fervent devotion to Mary which we will express in filial praise and faithful imitation of her virtues” (C 6).

Petitions as on the first day

Prayer

Lord, you have given us your Son through the Virgin Mary and associated her with the work of our redemption. We ask you, that like her, we may hear and meditate on your Word within our hearts and persevere in prayer. May our lives be a continuous offering of praise for your glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Eighth Day

Mary Was Assumed Into Heaven
Body and Soul

Introductory Verse

V/. Blessed are you, Mary, because you carried Christ in your womb

R/. He took you up to heaven body and soul.

Reading

 “We proclaim, declare and define it to be a dogma divinely revealed, that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, after the completion of her earthly life, was assumed in body and soul into heavenly glory” (cf. DS 3903).

Commentary

Mary’s glory in heaven is a participation in the glory of God, which she now fully enjoys. In heaven Mary continues her praise of glory which she had begun upon earth, that is to say, she praises and glorifies God. Now we can apply the words of Isaiah 61:10 to Mary: “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.”

Mary, because she was taken up to heaven and is Mother of Jesus, continues to be mother of all humanity and Mother of the Church “because through the power of the Holy Spirit she continues to give life to the Mystical Body of Christ which is the Church, and to each believer… this motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues without interruption… until the eternal consummation of all the elect” (LG 62).

At the same time she is associated with her Son’s glorification, Mary continues to intercede in heaven as Mediatrix to the Mediator. In this way, recourse to Mary will lead us to an encounter with Christ and through him to the Father.

“Mary is the figure of a woman, who silently and in a spirit of service, watches over the Church and protects it graciously on the path toward our heavenly home until the glorious day of the coming of the Lord” (cf. Paul VI, 2-2-1974).

“Mary should occupy a special place of preference in our spiritual life as Mother and Teacher. Mary is, in fact, model of virtue for the entire community of the elect and also a sign of hope and consolation” (C 41).

Petitions as on the first day

Prayer

Father, you wished to raise your humble maiden Mary to the dignity of Mother of your Son and have crowned her with glory in heaven. Through her intercession we ask that our Institute, by imitating her example, may follow the path of perfect charity, so that one day we may enjoy heaven with her. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Ninth Day

Anniversary of the Foundation of Our Institute

Introductory Verse

V/. Happy are you, Mary, for your firm believing

R/. Because what the Lord has said will be fulfilled.

Reading

Letter 57 from Mother Soledad

“Yes, my beloved daughters in the Lord, on this day it will be thirty-five years since the Congregation was born in the most abandoned and insignificant corner of that time, the neighborhood of Chamberí. But on this day our Lord and his Blessed Mother willed to begin the foundation of their dear Servants, affording them their visible support and protection as you yourselves are seeing and experiencing.

And what can the writer of these lines say? That I have clearly seen their protection time and time again and that is the only reason which explains how this small boat can so often be sinking and then is drawn out of danger by our dear Mother who looks after and will always look after these ungrateful Servants of hers, and I the least of all.”

Commentary

United with Mother Soledad, we lift up our prayer of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift of Mary, for the marvels wrought in her and implore her to be our guide on the pathway towards full transformation into Christ.

Along with Saint Maria Soledad, we ask Mary to leave us as an inheritance her spirit, her virtues: faith, hope, charity, humility, simplicity… and unlimited confidence in the Lord.

In union with Mary, we give thanks to God for the gift of our Congregation and ask that she help us assimilate the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress in our lives, faithfully keeping the Constitutions and confiding the future of the Institute to the merciful heart of the Father, convinced that “there would be hardships and difficulties, but despite all, the Institute would continue in the footsteps of Mother Soledad and with her encouragement, would look up to her as their strength and guide” (Panedas 128).

Petitions as on the first day

Prayer

O God, you made the Blessed Virgin Mary full of grace and glorified her body and soul in heaven. May she be for us our model of sanctity. We ask you, through her intercession, to protect, guide, and help our Institute so that we may be true Servants of Mary, living our vocation and charism faithfully in the Church and dedicating ourselves to the care of the sick. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.