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Today's feast has been celebrated ever since a decisive victory by a combined European force over the Turks at Lepanto in the year 1571. Clearly Our Lady was regarded as a key factor in this victory. In our own time, thousands of Catholics, and indeed non-Catholics too, continue to turn to Mary to ask her help in their times of need.
The Gospel tells of Mary's "vocation" to be the mother of God's Son and her unconditional acceptance of this calling. From then on, there is a total identification with the mission of Her son. Paul's injunction to us to have the "mind of Christ" applies so well to Jesus' mother. And in the passage from the Acts, we see Mary united in prayer with the disciples of Jesus as they prepare to receive from the Spirit their mission to continue the work of Jesus. Mary is with them; and she is still with us, not only to hear our calls for help but to inspire us to greater involvement in the work of the Kingdom of her Son.
Dear Jesus, we ask You to help us know, love and follow You as closely as Your mother did. Our greatest prayer is that we, like her, will accept unconditionally Your call to greater love and service.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That Christians may not be discouraged by the attacks of secularized society, but with complete trust, may bear witness to their faith and hope.
Elaboration
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