My dear parishioners,
Peace! On the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, 7 October, 2019, Pope Francis established the feast of Our Lady of Loreto, to be observed each year on the 10th of December. At the same time Pope Francis proclaimed a Lauretan Jubilee Holy Year to run from 8 December, 2019 through 10 December, 2020. There are fifty-one invocations in the Litany of Loreto. The following is a reflection on the nineteenth invocation: Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
What does it mean to call Saint Mary “Virgin most renowned”? There are fifteen occurrences of “renowned” in the Sacred Scriptures (Numbers 1:16; Ruth 4:11, 14; 2 Samuel 23:19, 23; 1 Chronicles 11:21, 25; Isaiah 14:20; 23:8-9; Ezekiel 23:23; 26:17; 34:29; Amos 6:1; Zephaniah 3:20), none of which explicitly mention Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin. Gamaliel was said to be a “renowned teacher of the Law” (cf. Acts 5:34; 22:3) yet Our Lady who raised Jesus Christ who came not to abolish but fulfill the Law (cf. Matthew 5:17) is no less a great teacher of the Law, i.e. “do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). The Hebrew word qara which is sometimes translated “renowned” has among its definitions “famous.”
Merriam-Webster highlights the “famous” aspect of being renowned, “celebrated for great achievements, for distinguished qualities, or for grandeur, eminent” and “widely acclaimed and highly honored or celebrated” when considering being renowned.
The fame of Our Lady is one way she is renowned. Is there a country in the world where she is not known? How many churches have been erected where her Son is adored? The Major Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, the Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Ivory Coast among others, all proclaim Our Lady’s renowned fame and promote adoration of the Lord. Our Lady is celebrated for her great achievements liturgically on her various feasts (i.e. Immaculate Conception 8 December; Assumption 15 August; Mother of God 1 January…). Among the distinguished qualities Our Lady has we should include her faith, her humility, her purity (cf. Luke 1:34, 38, 47-48, 52). In accepting God’s plan for her life, Saint Mary acted in faith, for which she is renowned. Standing at the foot of the Cross Saint Mary acted in faith, for which she is renowned (cf. John 19:25). Saint Mary is renowned for being united with the Apostles in prayer in the upper room awaiting the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14; 2:1). What greater grandeur could Our Lady have than being Mother of God, Queen assumed into Heaven? Our Lady is eminent in her Immaculate Conception and as first disciple of the Lord Jesus her Son.
In all these ways, and more, Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary is most renowned. May we be renowned by our devotion to her, always, everywhere.
Father John Arthur Orr