The Litany of Loreto Rosary The Third Sorrowful Mystery The Crowning of Thorns John 19:23
Our Father
Mother Mary, enlighten our minds that we may understand deeply the significance of Christ's Passion in our lives.
Hail Mary one
Isaias 53:5
But he was wounded for our iniquities: he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.
Hail Mary two
Mystical Rose
At the Christmas Eve Mass of old, the Passion is recalled to remind us of the reason for the Incarnation. Mary's title, Rosa Mystica was particularly popular in the Middle Ages. A Medieval Poem provides us with a meditation: let us remember that when we crown Mary with roses, that her crown of glory was a crown with thorns.
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bear Jesu:
Alleluia.
For in this rose contained was
Heaven and earth in a little space:
Res Miranda.
By that rose we may well see
There be one God in Persons Three:
Pares forma.
The angels sang, the shepherds too:
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Gaudeamus.
Leave we all this worldly mirth
And follow we this joyful birth:
Transeamus.
Let us follow the Son of God from Bethlehem to Calvary. Mary's fiat was a yes to both His Life and Death, to His Crown of Thorns and Crown of Glory.
Hail Mary three
Mary, in our sorrows, give us a glimpse of joy, and in our joys keep us mindful of our end. Let us hold both joy and sorrow, life and death, lightly in our hands.
Hail Mary four
Isaias 61:4
And they shall build the places that have been waste from of old, and shall raise up ancient ruins, and shall repair the desolate cities, that were destroyed for generation and generation.
Hail Mary five
Tower of David
A tower is used both for defense and decoration. Towers indicated the wealth and power of a lord in ancient times, and in all times up to the present day. These edifices demonstrate the pride of the owners. David, the beloved King, symbolizes the entire nation of the Jews. To name Mary a Tower emphasizes her strength as well as her beauty. To call her the Tower of David points to her status within the People of Israel-she is their defense and their glory. But, in suffering, Mary stood strong, bravely, like a tower holding the assaults of the enemy at bay. How ironic, that Christ, Israel's True King, would be crowned with thorns, and that His Mother would be considered the parent of an outcast, when instead, she is the Pride of Israel.
Hail Mary six
Tower of David, Hope of Israel, pray for all those who do not know your Son, the King of Kings wearing their Crown of Thorns.
Hail Mary seven
Isaias 49:22
Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and will set up my standard to the people...
Hail Mary eight
Tower of Ivory
Ivory, the lovely cream tusk of the elephant, was not indigenous to the Holy Land. That Mary is named Tower of Ivory indicates her position as Queen, defender, pride of the Gentiles. Her strength was tried in the Passion. As Christ was mocked, so was Mary. As Christ was assaulted, so was Mary. As Christ would be glorified, so would be Mary. A Tower of Ivory unscathed by suffering...
Hail Mary nine
Mary, Mother of all Nations, pray for all peoples, even those who persecute Christ today, that they may recognize in the sufferings of Christ the real source of new life.
Hail Mary ten
Glory be
Fatima Prayer
To be continued....
