Please click the images above for Archbishop Wenski’s message on the left and the Hail Mary on the right.
The month of May not only brings us the occasion to honor our mothers, but also our Mother Mary – the mother of Jesus – who at the foot of the cross and on Jesus’ word – became the mother of all believers.
I invite you to join me in seeking the intercession of the Blessed Mother by praying the Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The coronavirus continues to upend our lives even as we wait- everyday more impatiently- for the new normal that would signal that we are on the other side of this twin health and economic crisis.
But COVID-19 has reminded us of the precariousness of the human condition. We are not in charge of our lives as we sometimes pretend. We do not know as much as we thought we did. Perhaps, when we emerge on the other side of this crisis, we will be a humbler people. Humility, perhaps, can make our hearts a more fertile soil in which the Gospel can take deeper root.
With her ‘yes’, given at the Annunciation, Mary’s heart proved to be such a fertile soil. Mary, in receiving the Divine Word which took flesh in her womb, gave us a future of hope. For a world without God would be a world without hope, a world without a future.
A new global day of giving and unity (#GivingTuesday) has been announced for this coming Tuesday, May 5, 2020, as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. This global effort is designed to mobilize generosity and kindness around the world.
Generosity has the power to unite and heal, and hope has the power to transform. The coronavirus pandemic touches us all, so we must get through this together. Please prayerfully consider participating in #GiveCatholic for #GivingTuesday. Every act of kindness is a gift of hope- whether it is helping someone in need, sharing a talent or making a gift.
In times of need, people turn to the Church for help, and the Archdiocese, through your support of the COVID-19 emergency fund, is helping many families. From assisting single mothers out of work; to helping a family of four who lost their mother; to providing aid to a family who unexpectedly lost their father and home; and others. We must unite to continue to put our faith into action and help our brothers and sisters infected or affected by this pandemic. Please Give Catholic, Give Together.
As St. Maximilian Kolbe said, “Prayer is powerful beyond limits when we turn to the Immaculata who is Queen even of God’s heart.” Today at 3:00 p.m., the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will lead the country in a prayer which renews the consecration of the United States to Mary seeking her special intercession in the battle being waged against the coronavirus global pandemic. I invite you to participate in this moment of unified prayer.
In popular devotion, Mary is often called the “morning star” or the “star of the sea” – which refers to the Sun’s light reflecting off one of the planets in the darkest moments before the dawn. She is that “star” because she is the herald of a “new dawn” for humanity – the light she reflects dispels that darkness in which we live “as poor banished children of Eve.”
May the light of that “morning star” which is Mary dispel our present darkness – and announce a “new dawn” of hope for us all. “Star of the Sea” shine on us and guide us on our way!
Be assured of my continued prayers for you and your loved ones.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski
Archbishop of Miami
