May 2006
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The allocutio was given by Fr. O’Donohue. The
reason why Mary should be known is that she is the mother of God. Both
transmission and reception of the message are needed for people to learn about
God. God always communicates perfectly with us, but we are not always receptive
to him. Mary is always receptive to God and thus it is important for us to help
others to know Mary so they may learn to be receptive to God as well. The
important truths about Jesus also relate to Mary – e.g. the virgin birth
illustrates the incarnation of Jesus. Mary is depicted in revelation as clothed
in the moon with the earth at her feet. She is depicted as the mother of the
Church and her child Jesus is depicted as casting Satan out of heaven. Even
after Lucifer loses his own place in heaven, he takes a place as the accuser,
which is the meaning of the name Satan. When Jesus bore our sins, he denies
Satan the ability to accuse us. We are called to witness publicly the salvation
and good news of Jesus. Satan attacks us even more furiously now, because he
knows that his time is short. Mary was present at the foot of the cross,
allowing God’s will to be done and we are called to unite with Jesus at the
foot of the cross as well in his plan for salvation. In order to overcome
Satan, we must seek the assistance of the blessed Mother.