MARY: BORN A GIRL-CHILD MADE MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

Novena for the Nativity of Mother Mary

Every year we celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Mary on the 8^th of September, a day which the CBCI has also dedicated to the Girl Child. In most parishes this feast is preceded by the celebration of a novena. As we prepare for these celebrations, we are faced with an opportunity to deepen our faith based on the word that God speaks to us in these liturgies, related to the offences committed by society against the girl child.

We are already in the new millennium and it is tragic that there still continues a shameful discrimination in our country against the newly-born as well as growing girl-child. At present, the girl-child stands demeaned, devalued, discriminated, deprived, excluded and exploited. The behaviour of society towards the innocent girl-child is clear evidence of our individual and community sinfulness in very large measure.

During this novena. let us take the sufferings of the girl child as a clear call from God to repent of our sinfulness and return to him through righteousness. As the readings of the liturgies of these novena days lead us, we shall reflect on the challenge for us as human beings to overcome the temptations of the seven capital sins. May Mary ever Virgin, who was herself born a girl child, and made by God Mother of the Church, inspire us to trust that God indeed gives us the power to overcome all sin. As an added opportunity this year, it is proposed that a fervent attempt be made to invite children to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance during the days of the novena, before mass.

Class-wise prior preparation

Each class prepares the Prayers of the Faithful for the day.
Attempt to enact any one of the Readings, if possible.
Prepare the ritual of incense before the Lord's Prayer, as follows: Create a reminder of the reflection on the themes of the novena by having seven vases placed in front of the altar, as shown alongside. As each of the seven capital sins is reflected upon from Day 2 to Day 8, each day one sin is written on a chart paper with a big cross mark on it and pasted on to one vase. Just before the Lord's Prayer, the children are led to pray for strength to overcome temptation to sin by praying Psalm 51 before the Lord's Prayer. (Xerox copies of Psalm 51 to be distributed to the students in ad- . vance) While this Psalm is being prayed, I a few students are invited to place in the vase marked for the day a bowl of burning coal in ' which they put incense. \ Then the celebrant invites the congregation to say the Lord's Prayer to ask for I special strength to over-come that particular capital sin. The ritual for Day 1 and Day 9 is slightly different

1^st Day - Monday, 30^th Aug 2004

IMMACULATE MARY: EMPOWERED TO OVER COME SIN

Intro: In this year of the Eucharist and Mary 2004, in commemoration of the ISO"¹ anniversary of the declaration of die dogma of the Immaculate Conception, let us begin this novena in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary by drawing strength from the mystery of her Immaculate Conception. If she was given such abundance grace by God, that from the time of her conception in her mother's womb, she was kept free from the stain of sin, we are called to hope that God will give each one of us the grace to overcome all sin. Let us keep our 'hearts open, and strive to seek God's grace.

Readings : Of the day (The Gospel could well be acted out)

HOMILY

As we enter this time of grace, the novena J days. let us invite God to rule our hearts and our minds, and teach us the way of the Spirit The birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for which we begin our preparation today, has been dedicated to the Girl Child, precisely because the way we treat girl children is indicative of how we have lost sight of the Spirit of God. the Spirit of righteousness (1^st Reading). We shall therefore reflect during these days on the seven capital sins that destroy our relationship with God and one another.

The Capital (Latin for 'head' or 'chief), of deadly, sins are usually listed as seven: pride, avarice, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, and sloth or acedia (CCC 1866). They are often referred to as vices and are in fact, a response to basic human powers which can lead us away from growth in love of God, self and others. They can become habits and thus sources or generators of sinful acts...The capital sins, like all sin, have their source in habits of the heart; thus an understanding of the developmental nature of faith leads us to see that the effort to overcome them is part of the lifelong process of conversion. There is today an increased understanding of how corporate and cultural contexts tend to foster sinful attitudes. Contemporary authors are particularly concerned with the society that seems even positively to value the capital sins. Corporate gluttony and avarice are reflected in world hunger, the energy crisis, misuse and depletion of natural resources, environmental deterioration, and world poverty." (Modern Catholic Encyclopedia, Liturgical Press).

Let us pray during this novena that we not only, like Mary, be receivers of the grace of liberation, but that like her we may consider it our task to bring God's liberation to others (Gospel).

Ritual Emphasis : Praying of Psalm 51 in preparation for the Lord's Payer, without the use of incense. After the Doxology (Through Him,...) we prepare the children to use the Lord's Prayer to fervently ask God to "lead us not into temptation". We do this by using Ps. 51 as a prayer of preparation of the heart to pray the Our Father.

Comm: During this novena, inspired by our Blessed Mother, we ask God to give us the grace not to be led into temptation. Let us use the words of Ps. 51 in order to prepare our hearts to implore God's grace and blessing of redemption ... (Leader leads Ps. 51). CeL: (Use any appropriate invitation from the Missal for the Lord's Prayer)

2^nd Day - Tuesday, 31^st August, 2004

EMPOWERED TO OVERCOME ANGER

Intro: Today we are going to deal with one of the capita] sins, namely anger. All of us are prone to anger. Let us see during this Eucharist how God would like us to deal with it.

Readings : Of the day (The Gospel could well be acted out)

Homily : Anger arises as a defence of self in the face of actual or impending loss of esteem. It often starts with a perceived hurt or injustice, leading to feelings of humiliation and loss of prestige or good name, coupled with the excessive desire to suppress what seems hostile. Human tendency is to give vent to our anger. The first reading tells us how we need to allow God's Spirit to work in our lives. The responsorial psalm tells us of our God who is just in all his ways - kind, full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Share how Mary was slow to anger when she found Jesus in the temple after 3 days. She had gone through pain and anxiety and must have been hurt with the reaction of Jesus. Hurt, humiliation often leads us to anger. Today, the media tells us "You can get what you want". So we want to have our own way and if we don't, we get angry. When harboured for long, anger leads to resentment, hostility, conflict, and an intense urge to retaliate. Mary was grace-filled as she opened herself to the Spirit of God. Like Mary, we are called to abandon ourselves to the Spirit of God -thus keeping our minds and bodies at peace with God and with our neighbour.

Prayer of the Faithful: prepared by the students

Ritual Emphasis : Praying of Psalm 51 in preparation for the Lord's Prayer, with the use of incense. After the Doxology (Through Him....) we prepare the children to use the Lord's Prayer to ferventlyask God to "lead us not into temptation". We do this by using Ps. 51 as a prayer of preparation of the heart to pray the Our Father.

Cel: (Use any appropriate invitation from the Missal for the Lord's Prayer)

3^rd Day - Wednesday, 2^nd September, 2004

EMPOWERED TO OVER COME ENVY

Intro: Today with the world propagating com petition and success as prime achievements, jealousy creeps into our hearts with mes sages like "Neighbour's envy, Owner's Pride". During this Eucharist let us allow God to speak to us about another capital sin - Envy,

Readings : Of the day (The Gospel could well be acted out)

Homily: Envy is a tendency to begrudge the good of another because it is perceived as a threat to one's own excellence or glory. Envy expresses both a deep longing for, and a despair of ever receiving, the good things of life. It is related to the scarcity of something that is held dear so that the envious person tries to take from others what he or she longs for. Discrediting or maligning the reputation of others is a common expression of envy. Deep down, envy comes from a radical difficulty in believing that God loves and fashions each one uniquely and personally. It represents a refusal to accept the human condition, particularly one's finiteness as a creature, and a denial of the yearning of the human heart which finds its ultimate completeness only in God.

Human tendency is to be envious of anyone who is a threat to our own "excellence". We need to try and grab from others what we do not have. Blessings on others cause us to be envious. We do not feel happy when our friend/neighbour does well, achieves more, gains more. St. Paul in the first reading talks how when jealousy and wrangling arises it shows lack of spirituality - as we are caught in the ways of the world. How can we get out of this. Think of a friend or competitor in school and pray for his/her success in life. Show genuine love.

Mary was a beautiful role model for us. When she was pregnant and came to know that Elizabeth too was blessed with this same grace, she went out of her way, traveled far to visit Elizabeth, showing genuine love and joy and concern at Elizabeth's pregnancy.

Prayer of the Faithful: prepared by the students

Ritual Emphasis : Praying of Psalm 51 in preparation for the Lord's Prayer, with the use of incense. After the Doxology (Through Him, . . . ) we prepare the children to use the Lord's Prayer to fervently ask God to "lead us not into temptation". We do this by using Ps. 51 as a prayer of preparation of the heart to pray the Our Father.

Cel.: (Use any appropriate invitation from the Missal for the Lord's Prayer)

4^th Day - Thursday, 3^rd September, 2004

EMPOWERED TO OVER COME PRIDE

Intro: Today we are entering into this Eucharist to reflect on a major capitol sin -PRIDE. Let us prepare our hearts to receive God's message for us.

Readings: Of the day (The Gospel would well be acted out)

Homily: Pride has been described as the "queen of sins", the "root of all evil", the "beginning of all sin" . It is "to turn one's heart away from one's Maker" (Sir 10:12), from a recognition of God's sovereignty to a false self aggrandizement and self-centeredness. It is to be distinguished from healthy self-esteem and from a true appreciation of being created "in the image and likeness of God" (Gen. 1:27). Linked to pride is vain-glory or an undue esteem of self and of one's accomplishments which may reveal itself in great efforts to prove one's excellence or to gain the approval of others.

In the first reading St Paul speaks of how wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. We cannot take undue pride in all our human achievements. On the contrary all this needs to lead us to thank and give glory to God. Just like seasoned fishermen who knew their profession well, our achievements often make us feel we know everything better than others and "show off. Pride gets the better of us - instead of thanking God and sharing our talents with others - being more sensitive & concerned about others.

Mary was there when Jesus performed miracles - she could have taken pride at her Son and positioned herself closer to Him as His Mother and taken credit for what He was doing. Instead she stood as one of His Disciples, giving glory to God at all times.

Prayer of the Faithful: prepared by the students

Ritual Emphasis : Praying of Psalm 51 in preparation for the Lord's Prayer, with the use of incense. After the Doxology (Through Him,...) we prepare the children to use the Lord's Prayer to fervently ask God to "lead us not into temptation". We do this by using Ps. 51 as a prayer of preparation of the heart to pray the Our Father.

Comm: During this novena. inspired by our Blessed Mother, we ask God to give us the grace not to be led into temptation. Let us use the words of Ps. 51 in order to prepare our hearts to implore God's grace and blessing of redemption . . . (Leader leads Ps. 51).

Cel.: (Use any appropriate invitation from the Missal for the Lord's Prayer)

5^th Day - Friday, 4^th September, 2004

EMPOWERED TO OVERCOME SLOTH

Intro: Today we have gathered on the 5^th day of this novena. We will be dealing with another capital sin - Sloth. With so much indifference all around us, what is God now going to recreate in us?

Readings : Of the day

Homily: Sloth or acedia, sometimes called the "noonday devil" (Ps 91:6). It is associated with affectlessness, which gives rise not only to boredom, rancour, apathy, sluggishness, indifference but also to restless activity and aggression. Sloth is often fed by poorly used leisure time, overly high expectations, aversion to self-giving love and a lack of creativity in response to one's deepest longings.

The first reading speaks of how our life too needs to be a reflection of Christ - for we are his stewards, worthy of his trust How can I show accountability to the world, the people in it and to myself. Our life, like that of Mary, needs to become completely a Magnificat! Despite many a difficult situation in the life of Mary our Mother, she was able to echo aloud her magnificent song of liberation! She gave her all to all that she did, seeking God and trusting in Him fully.

Mary's constant yes to God in her life shows her desire to get involved and do God's will for others and for herself. She followed Jesus everywhere, of ten being noticed by Jesus. We see that when one of Jesus' disciples tried to draw his attention to his mother waiting outside, Jesus replied "Who is my mother and brother?." Mary did not get disheartened and give up but kept following Jesus everywhere, going through many hardships.

Prayer of the Faithful: prepared by the students

Comm: During this npvena. inspired by our Blessed Mother, we ask God to give us the grace not to be led into temptation. Let us use the words of Ps. 51 in order to prepare our hearts to implore God's grace and blessing of redemption . . . (Leader leads Ps. 51).

Cel.: (Use any appropriate invitation from the Missal for the Lord's Prayer)

6^th Day – Saturday, 4^th September 2004

EMPOWERED TO OVERCOME GLUTTONY

Intro: The world around us propagates - eat. drink and be merry. Food is made so inviting and easy to indulge in. Today we deal with another capital sin - Gluttony.

Readings : Of the day

Homily: Gluttony is usually associated with excessive self-indulgence in eating and drinking but may be linked to insatiable desires for any activity, even exaggerated care for the body through exercise or dieting. Gluttony may stem from an avoidance of facing absolutist expectations of oneself, approval seeking, evasion of intimacy, and a dread of emptiness.

St. Paul says that on one hand the influential and rich have access of everything, while we see so many go without food/clothing/shelter - basic necessities of life. Self-Indulgence is the name of the game. What gives us the right to do so? How can we come to our senses and show concern to those around us. Can we see Mary as our role model at the wedding feast of Cana - she was not content being an invitee, but saw the need of others and went out to see that others were provided for.

Prayer of the Faithful: prepared by the students

Cel.: (Use any appropriate invitation from the Missal for the Lord's Prayer)

7^th Day - Sunday, 5^th September 2004

EMPOWERED TO OVER COME GREED

Intro: As we come to get nourished at this Eucharist, we reflect on one of the capital sins - Greed/Avarice, which the world/media portrays as very important to acquire, in order to get peace and security in life. What is God going to tell us during this Eucharist as we open our hearts to Him?

Readings : Of the day

Homily: Greed or avarice, is an inordinate desire, an insatiable longing for the possession of something. It is often associated with the excessive eagerness to accumulate wealth and to obtain money. It shows itself in a lack of trust in God. in a grasping at material security and in vulnerability especially in the face of an uncertain future. It may lead to the inability to share with others or even to receive from others and the refusal to acknowledge the need for interdependence.

We are surrounded by very strong messages "Possessions mean power, success, security, etc." Everyone around is busy making money to possess more, to enjoy more. At what cost? We become slaves to them. Yet the Lord tells us that in order to become his disciple we need to give up all our possessions. Is this possible?

In the first reading the book of Wisdom helps us to reflect on how a perishable body presses down the soul - only God's wisdom can save us from becoming slaves to world values. The Gospel beautifully brings out that in order to be a disciple of Christ we need to give up all our attachments/possessions.

Mary showed this was possible through her simplicity. She owned nothing - gave birth to her child in a stable. She possessed very little but was always contented.

Prayer of the Faithful: prepared by the students

Ritual Emphasis : Praying of Psalm 51 in preparation for the Lord's Prayer, with the use of incense. After the Doxology (Through Him....) we prepare the children to use the Lord's Prayer to fervently ask God to "lead us not into temptation". We do this by using Ps. 51 as a prayer of preparation of the heart to pray the Our Father.

Cel.: (Use any appropriate invitation from the Missal for the Lord's Prayer)

8^th Day - Monday, 6^th September 2004

EMPOWERED TO OVER COME LUST

Intro: All around us we see love portrayed as a means for pleasure - self fulfillment. During this Eucharist let us listen attentively what God has to say about the capital sin -Lust.

Readings : Of the day (The Gospel would well be acted out)

Homily: Lust is defined as an overmastering appetite or craving for something and is almost always associated with an excessive desire for sexual pleasure. Sexuality is a relational power which bonds one with others in affection, mutual care, intimacy, love and respect.

Love and our sexuality was meant to create bonds in relationships. However, the world provokes us to flaunt our sexuality for the sake of pleasure. Turned into a disintegrating force, it can lead to the impersonal use or abuse of others for one's own gratification, to relational patterns of domination and submission, and to interpersonal alienation. God calls us to be the leaven (yeast) in the dough to change society. How can we take up this challenge?

In the first reading St. Paul criticizes sexual immorality very strongly, showing how we^xall need to openly condemn it and to get involved to fight this in our societies.

At the Annunciation. God calls Mary to be chaste - she responds wholeheartedly through love in its pure form.

Prayer of the Faithful: prepared by the students

Ritual Emphasis : Praying of Psalm 51 in preparation for the Lord's Prayer, with the use of incense. After the Doxology (Through Him,... ) we prepare the children to use the Lord's Prayer to fervently ask God to "lead us not into temptation". We do this by using Ps. 51 as a prayer of preparation of the heart to pray the Our Father.

Cel.: (Use any appropriate invitation from the Missal for the Lord's Prayer)

9^th Day - Tuesday, 7^th September 2004

EMPOWERED TO PROCLAIM GOD'S FORGIVENESS

Intro : On this last day of the novena, we wish to thank God for the words which He has spoken to us all these days, inviting us to avoid capital sins. We also thank Him for giving us strength to fight our sinfulness,-particular through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation which many of us have celebrated during these days. We ask God to prepare us to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother tomorrow, and fortify us in our resolve to keep her as our model.

Readings : Of the day...

Homily: Preaching God's forgiving love and inviting people to this fount of grace is a task entrusted to the Church : "Within the unity of the Church, promoting and preserving faith and the moral life is the task entrusted by Jesus to the Apostles, a task which continues in the ministry of their successors. This is apparent from the living Tradition, hereby the Church, in her teaching, life and worship, perpetuates and hands on to every generation all that she is and all that she believes... In the Holy Spirit, the Church receives and hands down the Scripture as the witness to the great things which God has done in history; she professes by the lips of her Fathers and Doctors the truth of the Word made flesh, puts his precepts and love into practice in the lives of her Saints and in the sacrifice of her Martyrs, and celebrates her hope in him in the Liturgy." (Veritatis Splendor, 27).

Whether we are children or youth, we are called to experience this forgiving love and proclaim it to others. Let us not make our youth an excuse : "Many children, through the strength of the Holy Spirit they have received, have bravely fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood." (St Thomas Aquinas, cf: CCC 1308). Let us make Mary our model in our struggle to experience God's power in overcoming sin, and sharing , this same power with others.

Ritual Emphasis : Soon after the Doxology (Through Him ...), we invite the children on the last day of this novena to firm up their conviction that indeed God gives us strength to overcome sin, however strong temptation may be. Instead of using incense, today we bring in seven thick candles and place them on the altar, as the children use Psalm 51 to prepare to recite the Lord's Prayer meaningfully.

Comm : Let us now ask God to help us grow in the conviction that He will empower us to over come sin. The children will place seven candles on the altar as a sign of our belief that with the power of the Risen Lord, we shall overcome the temptations of the seven capital sins. Before we recite the prayer the Lord's Jesus has taught us, let us prepare our hearts by praying Psalm 51.

Cel : (after Psalm 51) Invites the children to pray the Lord's Prayer using any of the invitation s from the Missal.

8^th September 2004 - Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Day of the Girl Child

MOTHER OF MERCY, LEAD US TO THE POWER OF THE CROSS

Intro: With great joy in our hearts we celebrate today the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which in our country is also celebrated as the Day of the Girl Child. Right through the last nine days, we have reflected on the life of Mary, born a girl-child and made Mother of the Church. Today we wish to thank God for giving Mary to us as our Mother, who is sure to guide us to a life of righteousness, empowering us to fight all evil, to fight our sins against the girl child as well as our sins against the other children of God.

Readings : Of the day.

Homily : Mary, Mother of Mercy

"Mary share our human condition, but in complete openness to the race of God. Not having known sin, she is able to have compassion on every kind of weakness. She understands sinful man and loves him with a Mother's love. Precisely for this reason she is on the side of truth and shares the Church's burden in recalling always and to everyone the demands of morality. Nor does she permit sinful man to be deceived by those who claim to love him by justifying his sin, for she knows that the sacrifice of Christ her Son would thus be emptied of its power. No absolution offered by beguiling doctrines, even in the areas of philosophy and theology, can make man truly happy: only the Cross and the glory of the Risen Christ can grant peace to his conscience and salvation to life." (Pope John Paul; II, Veritatis Splendor, 120)

Prayer to Mary, Mother of Mercy

"0 Mary, Mother of Mercy, watch over all people, that the Cross of Christ may not be emptied of its power, that man may not stray from the path of the good or become blind to sin, but may put his \hope ever more fully in God who is rich in mercy. May he carry out the good works prepared by God beforehand and so live completely for the praise of his glory. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen." (VS 120).

- Sr. Caroline D'Souza FMA