The month of May holds particular significance for Legatus members, as it is both the month of Mary and the month we celebrate Legatus’ founding. Though May is coming to...
Invoking Our Lady
Though the month of May is ending, it is always in season to invoke Our Lady! Virtually endless titles have been bestowed upon Mary through the centuries. Each one carries a different historical significance, drawing us to reflect on a different aspect of spirituality, and reaching us in different seasons of our life. Here are three titles for Mary, perhaps less well known but all contained within the Litany of Loreto, that you may use as you ask for her intercession for your business, your Legatus chapter, and your family and personal life.
Virgin, Most Powerful
The Blessed Mother is often described as meek. And yes, she certainly is! But I love to imagine her not just as a demure figure of femininity, but also, as a powerful warrior for the Lord. We know through both Scripture and tradition that it is Mary who uniquely terrifies the enemy.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel” (Genesis 3:15)
We all have areas in our lives where we feel weak, overwhelmed, or even quite vulnerable. This might look like spots of spiritual desolation, deep challenges in our families, or a professional situation that seems out of our control. Calling upon Mary as Virgin, Most Powerful, reminds us that she was specifically chosen among women as the one to stomp the head of the serpent and be the bearer of God! Will she not rush to our aid, too?Cause of Our Joy
“And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord[n] should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:43-44)
Immediately conjuring very different images than the previous title, Mary under the title “Cause of Our Joy” brings an instant sense of beauty and delight to our devotion.
It is Jesus who is the source of our joy. He is the eternal spring from which shoots forth truth, beauty, and goodness. But the Blessed Mother can be called the cause of our joy, as she was responsible for being the physical vessel that brought Jesus to Earth. Her “yes” was filled with joy from the very first encounter with the angel Gabriel proclaiming this good news, and her life, though riddled with suffering, would continue to be a brilliant witness to this deep, abiding joy.
We might call upon Mary by this name in areas we feel that our happiness is waning or our joy is incomplete. We could also invite her as Cause of Our Joy into our workplace, or other professional settings, where stress or tension may be prevalent. Invoking her this way, we are drawn to reflect on the glorious reality that there is always cause for joyfulness!Mother of Good Counsel
Of all three titles we’re focusing on today, this might be the most applicable to our professional lives. Most of us will be asked to make decisions of varying magnitudes on a daily basis. From how to handle a nuanced conversation, to who to hire or promote and everything in between, our Mother of Good Counsel can be a steady sounding board in each encounter. We can always trust that she will guide us towards her Son, confidently reminding us to “do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).
As members of Legatus, we commit ourselves to a daily Rosary. Consider using this time of prayer to explore the titles of Mary by incorporating the Litany of Loreto. Whatever title you feel drawn to, frequently call upon the Blessed Mother of God and fly to her protection! She will most certainly come to your aid.
Virgin, Most Powerful, pray for us.
Cause of Our Joy, pray for us.
Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us.
