THE PONDERING HEART OF MARY IN MOTHER IGNACIAS SPIRITUALITY

S. Ma. Anicia Co, RVM September 30, 2011

September 10

SEPTEMBER 8 NATIVITY OF MARY SEPTEMBER 12 HOLY NAME OF MARY SEPTEMBER 15 OUR LADY OF SORROWS

MOTHER IGNACIAS SPIRITUALITY

CHARACTERISTICS OF MOTHER IGNACIAS SPIRITUALITY

SPIRITUALITY OF HUMBLE SERVANTHOOD

OPENNESS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT P ONDERING HEART OF MARY P ERSEVERANCE T RUST IN GODS LOVING
PROVIDENCE

I C

NTIMACY WITH CHRIST AND INTEGRITY OURAGE AND CREATIVE SERVICE ROOTED IN FAITH, LOVE AND HUMILITY

O P ONDERING HEART OF MARY PONDERING HEART P OF MARY T I C

I. Mary in the Life of Mother Ignacia I. Moments of Pondering in Marys Life I. Pondering Heart of Mary: Characteristic of Ignacian Spirituality

I. Mary in the life of Mother Ignacia

Rules and Constitutio ns of the Beaterio de la Compaia de Jesus

1726

Practices of Mother Ignacia and her companion beatas

Mother Ignacia and the Beatas had a special devotion to Mary

Praying the Rosary

1726 RULES

I. III.

17 3 14 17iv

Observance of Marys feasts together with the feasts of Jesus Christ

1726 RULES

I.

18 20

Saturday Mass in honor of Mary

1726 RULES

III. 17

Prayers in consideration of the sorrows of the Blessed Mother

1726 RULES

III. 10

Mother Ignacia called the community a family of Mary

1726 RULES

I. 6

Mother Ignacia and her companions dedicated the house to the Assumption of our Blessed Mother
1726 RULES I. 21 The principal feast in whose invocation this house is dedicated is the feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God into heaven..

Mary is the model of virginal purity and the virtues the beatas were to imitate

1726 RULES I. 21

To please God and the Blessed Mother is given as a motive to develop purity of heart and the proper use of the tongue.
1726 RULES

I. 41

Mary is invoked for the grace to persevere in Gods service.

1726 RULES

I. 14

The community of Mother Ignacia would pray through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for a successful election of the Rectora and other officers of the beaterio. The community prayed together the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mother Ignacia lived Marys Magnificat in her life. She exhorted her beatas to wake up each day giving thanks to God for the benefits received during the night.

She lived in constant gratitude to God for the blessings she had received and hoped to receive from Gods infinite mercy.

II. Moments of Pondering in Marys Life The image of Mary pondering all things in her heart is found in the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 2:18-20 Luke 2:41-52

Luke 2:18-20

The shepherds came to see the child proclaimed by the angel.

They found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. They made known the message that had been told them about this child.

Luke 2:18-20 Visit of the Shepherds

All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:41-52 Loss and Finding of Jesus in the

Temple Jesus stayed behind after the feast.

Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple in the midst of the teachers.

Luke 2:41-52 Loss and Finding of Jesus in the

Temple Mary asked Jesus, Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety. Jesus answered, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Fathers house?

Luke 2:41-52 Loss and Finding of Jesus in the

Temple

Jesus went home with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth and was obedient to them.

Mary pondered all these things in her heart.

What does Luke tell us about Mary?

Luke gives us two moments when Mary pondered the events she experienced with Jesus. These are representative moments. Luke gives us a picture of Mary in constant prayer, reflection and discernment.

Mary had to constantly reflect to make sense of what God is asking of her.

Because of Marys pondering and discerning heart, she grew in constant union with the Fathers will leading her to accept with courage the final destiny of Jesus, her Son. Mary experienced the transformation of her relationship to Jesus: from being His mother to becoming His disciple and the Mother of His community.

III. Pondering Heart of Mary: Characteristic of Ignacian Spirituality A pondering heart is Marys response to a mystery she could barely grasp or understand.
Mystery of joy exceeding expectations

Mystery of pain threatening to overpower

Moments of Pondering in Mother Ignacias life Loss of loved ones Choosing between obeying her parents wish or following the desire of her heart Living in solitude Living alone or opening up to community life

Moments of Pondering in Mother Ignacias life Opening up to apostolic service Proceeding with more structured community life Resigning from position of Rectora

Mother Ignacia taught her companions to grow in discernment.

They should place their Click to edit Master subtitle style the confidence in providence of the Merciful and Compassionate God.

Mother Ignacia enjoined her beatas to dedicate all their works to God. In the 1726 Rules (1.37), she tells them that All works should be offered to God, our Lord,

avoiding vanity and ostentation, because Jesus tells us in His Gospel, that any person whose work is motivated only by human respect without seeking Gods glory shall not merit the reward in the next life.
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All should at all times and in all places be in Gods presence.

In all that they do and say, all should place themselves in the presence of God.

1 Cor 10:31

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

Serve God with greater fervor during the day.

Guard with greater recollection your faculties and senses. Form in your heart a private oratory where you can commune alone with Jesus.

With Marys pondering heart, Mother Ignacia experienced the joy of living for God, loving Him above all and serving him in others.

Peace I leave with you My peace I give to you Not as the world gives do I give to you

YOUR HEART WILL REJOICE AND NO ONE WILL TAKE YOUR JOY AWAY FROM YOU!

How did Mother Ignacia imbibe the pondering heart of Mary? How and on what occasions did Mother Ignacia show that she had Marys pondering heart? What can we do to imbibe Mother Ignacias discerning heart after the example of Mary?