S 4 unit TIOF To understand that through

S 4 unit TIOF

*To understand that through God’s call and her response, Mary is the model of prayer *To consider how my life should reflect this model of prayer *

*I know that Mary’s Fiat means that she said yes to God *I understand that Christian prayer means saying yes to God *I can express my own understanding of how my life can reflect Mary’s example of prayer *

Voice from the Church “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin” CCC 135 As Catholics we believe that Mary is the Immaculate Conception which means that she was born free from original sin.

“I am the Handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done unto me. ”

Mary’s response “let it be” means Fiat in Latin. Mary’s Fiat is holy because it is through her act of submission, her willingness to accept God’s plan, that the Son of God makes His entrance into human history.

• • • 9 months of pregnancy, • • Resurrection, the birth and childhood of Jesus, his ministry, trial and Passion to Jesus’ death, Ascension, Pentecost, the saints, the early Church until today, the gates of Heaven opened, Christ at the Father’s right hand.

What would have been different if Mary had said no? The rest of history The people of her time Her family Mary

1. Imagine what it was like to travel on foot while 9 months pregnant. Think what it might have been like to give birth with no nurses or doctors. What questions do you think she could have been asking God? 2. By recalling your learning from S 1 -3 and what we have covered today make a list of at least six of Mary’s characteristics 3. What qualities of this godly woman would you like to have? What steps do you need to take to begin to develop them? Be specific. Have short-term and long-term goals

Mary’s “yes” allowed her relationship with God to deepen. This was not a one-off, she would continually repeat this through out her life. You will be given a handout Read the passage John 2: 1 -11 • Highlight on the passage an example where Mary intercedes • Annotate around the text what you think this passage shows

Mary has been called ‘our sure way to Jesus’, and she will help us reach heaven by her intercession. When praying to Mary, we ask that she brings our prayers to and prays on our behalf before her Son Worship is reserved for God alone. Rather, we venerate Mary (honour her) above all because of her special place in our salvation. She is a model of faithfulness and the greatest of all saints.

Family/ Friends Their problems Celebrities Our leaders What do people pray for? Future happiness Good things that have happened Natural disasters God’s greatness

“I am the Handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done unto me. ”

Voice from the Church Mary’s “Fiat” teaches us what prayer really is “this is Christian prayer: to be wholly God's, because he is wholly ours” CCC 2617

* To understand that through God’s call and her response, Mary is the model of prayer * To consider how my life should reflect this model of prayer * I know that Mary’s Fiat means that she said yes to God * I understand that Christian prayer means saying yes to God * I can express my own understanding of how my life can reflect Mary’s example of prayer