What Pope Francis Says...Mary, Mother of Mercy

There is a Marian "stlye" to the Church's work of evangelization.  Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness.  In her we see that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong, who need not treat others poorly in order to feel important themselves.  Contemplating Mary, we realize that she who praised God for "bringing down the mighty from their thrones" and "sending the rich away empty" (Luke 1:52-53) is also the one who carefully keeps "all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19)

August Parishioner Highlight: Mary, Mother of Mercy

For the theme of Mary, Mother of Mercy, I knew I wanted to interview children.  I thought that since, as Catholics, we view Mary is our mother, that looking at Mary through the eyes of children would give us a fresh perspective.  But how would I be able to get a child-like perspective, in the middle of the summer when many children are out of town or busy with summer activities? Enter, the Tallman family.  A family I have had the privilege to become friends with during my 2 years at St. Pius, Joe through his work at school, Jen through various adult faith opportunities, and the children as an extension of their parents. I was honored to provide music at the funeral of their child Kolbe Claire and to hear Joe's witness of how God, and Mary, comforted them during that trial in their life.  That honor was extended as they graciously shared their home and thoughts with me.

I was welcomed to the Tallman home for this video and quickly became one of the family.  I was offered a uncooked noodle to chew on as dinner was being prepared and my choice of seating at the table. During the evening I witnessed a beautiful example of the domestic church.  I saw two parents teaching their children, in small ways, how to be examples of God's love in the world. Through helping each other spoon food onto their plates, snuggling on the couch before bed time, and stepping outside to wave their guest good-bye I saw simple and concrete ways a family learns to love not just each other, but the world.  Their joy was infectious and I left wanting to share that warmth with everyone I encountered. For though my encounter with Tallmans, I encountered Christ.

Thank you Tallmans for you hospitality and for sharing your testimony with us. This family provides an excellent witness to how Mary leads us to the love and mercy of Christ.

Guest blogger
Emily Schmid
SPX Staff

Be a Saint of Mercy: Be a window of Mercy like Saint Mary, the Mother of Mercy

I have always appreciated the artistic imagery used by the artist who carved the wonderful wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary that adorns the back left corner of our church sanctuary.

I encourage you to pause for a minute at the Mary statue next time you’re at St. Pius X Church.

My understanding is that our statue of Saint Mary (along with the statue of Saint Joseph and the Stations of the Cross plaques) was purchased through a Wisconsin artisan group known as Inspired Artisans, under the coordination of Mr. Kenneth Griesemer. The statue itself was carved out of a combination of Linden wood, Oak wood and Corian. It is a simple, but strikingly beautiful statue.

In spending some personal time before our Mary statue during this Year of Mercy, I’ve come to believe the artists involved in its design and form were trying to reveal to us a very important truth about the Virgin Mary and her role in our Catholic Faith.

In case you haven’t really noticed the statue, here is my personal description…

Saint Mary stands naturally poised, balancing on both feet, her left foot slightly bent, her body slightly leaning in the same direction. She’s wrapped in a simple robe, wearing a nondescript veil that loosely flows from her head, covering her hair and shoulders. Mary’s right hand is gentle placed against her tender heart, while her left hand gently stretches away from her body, directing any onlookers to the altar and tabernacle. Her head is slightly bowed into her chest, with a humble look of honor on her face. Mary does not smile. She is not the focus of the sculpture…she is all about revealing something other than herself to those that see her.


Saint Mary’s message throughout all of Christian history has been consistent and our Mary statue does not deviate from her grand purpose…to direct all that encounter her to her Merciful Son, Jesus Christ. This is precisely the truth that Saint Mary and her statue’s sculptor offer us when we gaze upon the statue in our church sanctuary.


Saint Mary, ever humble in the task that she has been given, stands yearning for each of us to follow the direction of her extended left hand, forever directing us to that which is ever greater than herself, Jesus. The humility and honor by which she directs our attention is no mistake. Saint Mary knows her calling and lives it perfectly. She becomes a window through which you and I see, encounter, and ultimately follow Christ!

This is the beauty of Mary’s companionship during the Year of Mercy.

You and I are called to join Mary in being a window to Christ. As we’ve read about the many Saints of Mercy this year in this blog, we begin to see that the saints all reveal something greater than themselves - they reveal Jesus Christ to the world. And of them all, saint Mary does it the best… because her will is always perfectly aligned to the will of her Son, Jesus.

Mary, Mother of Mercy, Pray for Us!

Why did we decide to give a month in this Year of Mercy to Mary?  Aren’t we focusing on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy?  Why dedicate August to her?  Aren’t October and May typically “Mary months” in the Catholic tradition?

You might be asking all of the questions above and even more!  Let me attempt to explain our rationale.  When we think of Mary as the Mother of Mercy, we need to remember that as the Mother of Jesus, she IS the Mother of Mercy.  .  Pope Francis, in his homily on January 1^st at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome remarked: “She is the Mother of Mercy, because she bore in her womb the very Face of divine Mercy, Jesus,…The Son of God, made incarnate for our salvation, has given us his Mother, who joins us on our pilgrimage through this life, so that we may never be left alone, especially in times of trouble and uncertainty.”  She brought to life the Son of God, Jesus, who  took the form of a human being so that we might know the mercy and love of God…He freed us from Sin and restored us to right relationship with God.

 

While Jesus is the Son of God, he learned much from the example of his mother.  When we look at Mary, we see a woman of deep faith and endless compassion.  She models for us what mercy should look like.  It is gentle, consoling, tender, strong, and convicted.  She manifests herself as Mother of Mercy by being, “health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the afflicted, and help of Christians.” The Gospels remind us of her merciful constancy and consistency; her desire to meet the needs of others, and her desire to share the Good News of God’s love at all times.

Why do we look to her in August of the Year of Mercy?  We find ourselves in the middle of Ordinary Time according to the liturgical calendar.  In our living we are in the hottest part of the summer, just before school begins again and the tempo of life changes again.  Most of our lives are lived in ordinary time.  It is easy for us to turn to Mary in Advent and Lent, and in October and May, but what about the ordinary days?  Is she not Mother of God and our mother all the time?  Then, why not turn to her for her intercession in the ordinary moments of life?

Mercy is not something that should be encountered and lived only during special times of the year.  Mercy is something for all time…and perhaps most importantly for the ordinary time of our lives…you know those times; when we are simply going about life; when one day leans into another.  Mercy is that gift that comes freely from the heart (mercy from the Latin, Misericordia:  misereri= pity; miseri= gift; cor=heart).  It is offered when it is needed, and it is received when it is needed, not only in those very trying times of life, but in the ordinary.

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are the ways through which we share in the heart of God and offer to each other the gifts needed to continue our journey in faith.  They are intended for us in all times because we find ourselves in need of Mercy at all times. 

Mary, Mother of Mercy, intercede for us that we may be merciful like the Father.  Amen!

Guest Blogger: 

Dr. Cheryl Fournier

SPX Staff