Our Lady of the Angels Academy - Angelican Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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Mary showed her unequalled confidence, intense love and great hope in her Creator. Behold” implies the complete and irrevocable manner of her surrender to God. Be it done unto me according to thy word” signifies the depth of her faith in what God had promised. The Third Word The actual words used by Mary the first time she spoke to St. Elizabeth are not recorded. It is enough to know that they were words of salutation and of charitable and most loving congratulation. The salutation among the Jews was probably something like God be with you,” or The Lord is with you,” the simple prayer found frequently in the sacred liturgy. When Mary did speak the words, The Lord be with you,” or others of the same import, they must have been a prayer that must have passed on from Elizabeth to the child in her womb, to Zachary, and to his whole household, imploring for them a partic¬ ipation in the fruits and the knowledge of the great grace which had come down upon the world. The Fourth Word The fourth Word of Mary is a canticle. Mary, wrapt in the most lofty contempla¬ tion, breaks out, My soul doth magnify the Lord.” Her soul is full of the praises and glorification of God and of thanksgiving for the greatness of His benefits. She first speaks of God’s great gift to herself in particular, then of the gifts and benefactions which are general to all, and then of the particular and special benefit and mercy to the world of the Incarnation. The Fifth Word The span of time between the fourth and fifth spoken Word of Mary is a long one. The Scriptures leave one to imagine what Mary might have said on the birth of St. John the Baptist, and during the blessed months which passed before the birth of Christ. Scripture records no words of Mary exchanged with St. Joseph. The mysteries of the Nativity, the Circumcision, the Purification, the Epiphany and subsequent mys¬ teries pass over in silence. Our thoughts concerning Mary, as far as they are to be fed upon her own words, are confined to the one mystery which was the source and root of all her blessedness and glory, the mystery which made her the Mother of God. It is not until the veil is lifted for a moment from the tranquil years of the Hidden Life that we have another Word of Mary. In this episode Mary directs her tender words to Christ. Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.” In this Word, Mary does not speak of herself alone as having suffered keenly in consequence of the arrangement of Providence at which she wonders. Her heart forces to her lips the mention of him who, next to her Son, was ! dearest to her in the world, who had his own office and charge with respect to that Son, and who had shared her sorrow and now was to share again in her joy at the recovery of her treasure. The words sprang from her lips as a revelation of the habitual thoughts and ways of speaking in the Holy Family, in which St. Joseph was naturally addressed in that way by Our Lord. The Sixth Word The sixth Word of Mary is likewise directed to Christ — They have no wine.” This Word shows how tenderly Mary feels for human cares and miseries, and how lovingly she suggests them to the Good Lord that they may be relieved. This, then, is a Word of admirable compassion and pity, and Mary, God’s Mother and ours, the advocate both on earth and in heaven of man’s poverty and feebleness, speaks like a true Mother. Mary does not mean to bring man’s miseries to Christ as if He did not know them. She speaks as a Mother, bringing them up constantly before Christ in the exercise of her intercession. The compassion of Mary was for the whole of mankind, whose needs were mystically pleaded in her touching words, ' They have no wine.” The Seventh Word Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye.” The seventh Word of Mary is one of maternal exhortation. Mary enjoins on humanity to be very careful to do whatever Christ commands, whether in general or by any special precept. Mary, in her seventh Word, manifests her desire that all men should know Christ and obey Him, that all men carry out Christ’s commandments and precepts to the full extent. Mary s seventh Word, the last to be recorded, is spoken to the servants. These were representative in a special way of all those who like Mary are concerned in the great work for the glory of God which is forever going on in the Church — the con¬ version of sinners, the reclaiming of heretics, the enlightenment of those who do not know God, and the advance of those who do so to further knowledge of God. 29

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The Words of Mary The beauty and grandeur of Mary is inexhaustible. She is beautiful always, beautiful everywhere. In this, our Marian Year, the young and old glory in her grandeur and speak with joy of her beauty. There seems to be no phase of Mary’s life that the faithful fail to touch upon. This essay is the result of the Angelites’ reflection on the words spoken by Mary. The prophet Isaias sings of the word of God, As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be which shall go forth from my Mouth.” Mary’s life as recorded in the Scripture is one of few words, but they are words of profound depth of thought and virtue of religion, words that bring great fruit throughout the centuries. Mary spoke twice to the angel, saying the first time, How shall this be done, because I know not man?” and the second time, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” Mary spoke twice, also to St. Elizabeth, the first time to salute her, and again when she sang her Magnificat. She spoke twice also to her Son, once in the Temple when she said, Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I -have sought Thee sorrowing,” and again at the marriage feast at Cana, when she said, They have no wine.” Once also Mary spoke to the servants at the feast, Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye.” Four of these Words of Mary belong to the period before our Lord’s birth. The two first belong to the mystery of the Annunciation, the two next to the mystery of the Visitation. The fifth Word was spoken during what we term the hidden life, and the two last belong to the very beginning of Christ’s public preaching having been spoken at the marriage feast in Cana. All the seven Words of Mary are connected with most marvellous mysteries. The first four throw a brilliant light on the mysteries of the Annunciation and the Visita¬ tion; the last two on Christ’s first external miracle, the change of the water into wine. The fifth Word of Mary spoken to the twelve year old Christ in the Temple reveals Mary’s position in regard to Him, Who took upon Himself, in a certain sense, the great office of the Teacher of mankind, as the work which His Father had given Him to do. The sixth and seventh Word of Mary at the marriage feast at Cana reveals to us Christ’s design as to what we may expect from her intercession at all times. The First Word The First Word of Mary was spoken at the time of her Annunciation, when the Angel entered the room in which she was engaged in prayer. And the Angel said unto her: ' Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou among women.’ ” Mary did not make an immediate answer. She remained silent. Her first use of speech was not to use it. Before the word of speech comes the word of silence. For the virtue of prudence in speech consists as much in not speaking as in speaking at the right time. Who having heard was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.” Mary heard, reflected, and was troubled. Why was she troubled? She was disturbed at the sound of praises so far exceeding her own lowly estimate of herself. Her humility was alarmed at the greatness of the salutation. The first few words of the Angel which conveyed to Mary the first part of the message of God did not fully unfold the whole of that divine message. But Mary said to the Angel: ' How shall this be done; I know not man.’” There was this one point in the whole divine message which was kept back for later revelation, namely, the manner in which the mystery was to be brought about by the agency of the Holy Ghost Himself. The Second Word And the Angel answering said unto her, ' The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee . . .’ ” The change which these words of the Angel had wrought in Mary cannot be described. Her soul became enwrapped with a most intense joy and gratitude and she no longer hesitated as to the course which the great mystery of the Incarnation was to take, and as to her immediate part and duty. And she uttered at once, words of the most perfect obedience, humility, charity, and joy, Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. In the words. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, Mary manifested her great humility, and readiness to serve God with all kinds and all degrees of service. In the words, Be it done to me according to thy word,”

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Towards MARY WAY j uly — 12 — Ties of friendship link again — Aspirants return from their vacation. 16 — Aspirants go for that natural suntan to God’s Blueberry Patch. 31 — We share in the adventures of Captain January.” AUGUST — 1 — Wiener Roast — A farewell tip to the Seniors. 2 — Those Convent Bells — How sweet they are! Five Seniors happily ac¬ cept the royal invitation of our Eucharistic King to come and follow Him. 12 — 700th anniversary of the death of St. Claire. All enjoy a delightful stroll around the banks of the Connecticut River. 30 — New faces; new looks; new friends. Freshmen aspirants join our rank. SEPTEMBER — 3 — On-On-to the Berkshires we go to spend a pleasant day with the Marian Fathers. 4 — Warm greetings to Sister Mary Viterbia, our dear Sister Principal on her feastday. 9 — O.L.A. portals once again throw open its doors to the students. 15 — Feast of Our Lady of Seven Dolors—Students implore help of the Holy Spirit at the traditional Red Mass. Aspirants greet their Directress, Sister Mary Doloria, with a delightful comedy. 19 — A delightful surprise — a grand treat — a movie — There’s a Rainbow on the River. 21 — Angelites bubble with excitement — They tour the Eastern States Ex¬ position grounds — They are honored to hear President Eisenhower speak. 25 — New registrants on trial for genuine sportsmanship. — INITIATION. 28 — Students give a gay evening to their chaplain, Rev. Michael Gryglak on his feastday with a hilarious comedy. 30 — Mother Mary Simplicita, Superior General, comes to Enfield for a longer stay. OCTOBER — 1 — Traveling Virgin begins her rounds to the students’ homes. 2 — Juniors sponsor a sweet and gay Get-Acquainted Party’’. 4 — Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. — Seniors with a bit of Franciscan joy and simplicity celebrate the Feast of their class patron. 10,11,12—Aspirants attend the CCD Congress in Springfield, Mass. 18 — Angelites take part at the Prayer Youth Rally in Windsor Locks, Conn. 19 — Senior-Freshman join friendly hands in a simple Little Sisters Adoption Ceremony.” 20 — Feastday Program honors the Honorary President, Mother Mary Laura on her Feastday. — Special Features The Light of Umbria” and The Rosary.” 25 — Seniors take on responsibility of Catechists at Hazardville and Enfield Public Schools. 31 — Witches, ghosts, and goblins play hosts at the Halloween Party. NOVEMBER — 1 — All Saints Day! Solemn Enthronement of the Enfield Province — Rev. Joseph Sielski, M.I.C., officiates. 7 — Every pine and fir and hemlock don a coat of pretty white. 11 — Angelites are awed by the most inspiring movie Mary.” Stockbridge returns visit. Marian Seminarians enjoy a delightful Armistice Day. 15 — Open House. Academy doors are once again open to friends from far and near. 20 — Students commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pope Pius X’s encyclical Motu Poprio” with a special assembly. 21 — Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. — A special day at the Academy — the founding date of dear O.L.A. 23,24,25—Basking in the sunshine of Grace — RETREAT. 26 — Lord we thank Thee for Thy bountiful goodness. — Thanksgiving Day. 30 — Mother Mary Laura conveys to us GREAT NEWS — Blessed Mother shall begin her Marian Year with an ORATORY. DECEMBER — 1 — We travel to Brazil via slide films through the courtesy of a LaSalette Missionary. 7 — Mother Mary Simplicita, Superior General, opens Marian Year with the official opening of the Oratory. 8 — 1 he Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Many friends visit our new Oratory.