The Importance of Mary in Cross Catholic Outreach’s Day of Prayer

Each year, Cross Catholic Outreach holds a special Day of Prayer for all of our benefactors, overseas ministry partners, and most especially the poorest of the poor whom we serve. We set this date on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, since she is the Co-Redemptrix with her son Jesus, and the Mother of God. As Catholics, it is an honor to be able to ask her intercession to her Son Jesus Christ, who became man so that humanity could become like God through our lives of faith.

The ancient title for Mary from the fifth century was Theotokos — Greek for “mother of God” — confirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. She is honored with this title because, since Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, Mary is the mother of both natures. When we honor Mary, we also affirm the significance she has in Redemption History — for without the Incarnation, we would not have salvation from sin and death.

Thus, when we pray to Mary, it is not so much that we place our trust in her; rather, we trust she will bring our prayers to her son to be heard and answered. We see this intercessory role of Mary’s in Sacred Scripture; in fact, the first miracle of Jesus took place at the Wedding at Cana in response to the request of his mother Mary (Jn. 2:1-11).

Turning to Our Lady of Consolation

During our Day of Prayer, we ask for Mary’s intercession to her Son to help all those in need. She was there at Pentecost — the birthday of the Church — when the Holy Spirit descended upon the 120 disciples gathered in prayer and imparted wisdom and grace upon them.

Mary has many titles that reflect her significance as the Mother of the Church and our intercessor. Perhaps the title that is most appropriate during this time of a global pandemic is Our Lady of Consolation. This is one of the oldest titles of the Blessed Mother and one which speaks to our need for peace of mind, consolation from distress, illness, and despair.

Our Lady of Consolation understands the suffering we feel when we see the poor child go hungry, or when we see the mother unable to provide shelter or clothing for her family, or experience the death of her child.

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Entrusting Our Petitions to the Blessed Mother

We realize our own poverty of spirit in the poorest of the poor. We are left to simply lift up our own humble prayers before the Lord, asking for His mercy and compassion on all of the millions of suffering people throughout the world and come to our aid.

Our affinity with the poorest in our world helps us identify with the suffering Christ, who became incarnate and suffered and died because of His complete love for all humanity. When we embrace the poor, we embrace Jesus Christ on the cross, who poured out His life for our salvation. Our Day of Prayer is a special grace for Cross Catholic and all of our donors and the poor whom we seek to serve every day. We invite you to submit your prayer intentions and join us in seeking the intercession of our Blessed Mother.

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Monsignor Ted Bertagni

Monsignor Bertagni is the Director of Clergy and Diocesan Relations for Cross Catholic Outreach, He was ordained a priest in 1978 in Omaha, NE and invested as Monsignor in 1999. He was a Conventual Franciscan in Our Lady of Consolation Province and is presently incardinated into the Diocese of Mandeville Jamaica. Msgr. Bertagni has an international background having studied and lived in Europe and Caribbean. He holds STL and STD degrees from Sant’ Anselmo, the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome. He served 20 years as a parish priest, pastor and professor, before dedicating himself full time to the service of the poor. In 2016, he was commissioned as a Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis.

Outreach Priests Celebrate the Church’s Mission to the Poor

Engage your parish in celebrating the work of the Church among the poorest of the poor. Hear about the blessings and challenges of this vital mission by inviting an Outreach Priest to share the story of the poor with your parish.

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The Impact of Day of Prayer

Donations from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for orphans and vulnerable children incurred through June 30, 2021, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.