Society of Mary
Adapted from The Society of Mary website:
The Society of Mary is dedicated to the Glory of God and the Holy Incarnation of Christ under the invocation of Our Lady, Help of Christians. It is one of several Catholic devotional societies within the Anglican tradition, honoring Her whom God has honored, the Virgin Mother of His incarnate Son, Jesus; thus bearing witness to His holy incarnation. This witness to and emphasis on the dogma of the Incarnation, is expressed in devotional and liturgical practices, designed to enrich and enhance the discipleship and spiritual lives of our members, and the worship and mission of the Church. The place and role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the Church, and the economy of salvation is demonstrated in the liturgy and liturgical arts of the Church, in chapels and shrines dedicated to Her, in stained glass and icons, in hymnody and church music.
Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus is by far the most popular and beloved of all the saints. Churches throughout the world honor her with chapels, altars and shrines. The Book of Common Prayer, part of our spiritual heritage, honors her with four special feastdays, to which is added several others in many places. It is fitting that those of us from the Anglican Communion who are now Roman Catholics continue a society which honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, and bears witness to the mystery of Christ's Holy Incarnation now in the full communion of the Catholic Church.
The Scriptures tell us that Mary is full of grace, and was chosen of God. "Be it unto me according to thy Word," was Mary's joyous response to God's plan of redemption. Her obedience initiated the process of our salvation. In her, "the Word became flesh." She has a unique and special relationship with Jesus, and was close to him during his ministry, and the first miracle was performed at her instigation. On the Cross, Jesus gave her to his disciple John, "behold, your mother," and thus to all mankind. And on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon her and the apostles. She is indeed "Mother of the Church." Her word to us is, "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it!"
The Society of Mary was formed in 1931 by the union of its parent societies, the Confraternity of Our Lady (founded in 1880) and the League of Our Lady (founded in 1902). It has members all over the world and is not confined to Anglicans alone. In 1962 a group of American priests, knowing of two Wards functioning in the Episcopal Church and affiliated with the parent body, received permission from the General Council in England to set up a regional organization in the United States. With the advent of the Ordinariates, the practice has continued of allowing those of an Anglican heritage establish Wards of the Society of Mary.
The Society of Mary is dedicated to the Glory of God and the Holy Incarnation of Christ under the invocation of Our Lady, Help of Christians. It is one of several Catholic devotional societies within the Anglican tradition, honoring Her whom God has honored, the Virgin Mother of His incarnate Son, Jesus; thus bearing witness to His holy incarnation. This witness to and emphasis on the dogma of the Incarnation, is expressed in devotional and liturgical practices, designed to enrich and enhance the discipleship and spiritual lives of our members, and the worship and mission of the Church. The place and role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the Church, and the economy of salvation is demonstrated in the liturgy and liturgical arts of the Church, in chapels and shrines dedicated to Her, in stained glass and icons, in hymnody and church music.
Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus is by far the most popular and beloved of all the saints. Churches throughout the world honor her with chapels, altars and shrines. The Book of Common Prayer, part of our spiritual heritage, honors her with four special feastdays, to which is added several others in many places. It is fitting that those of us from the Anglican Communion who are now Roman Catholics continue a society which honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, and bears witness to the mystery of Christ's Holy Incarnation now in the full communion of the Catholic Church.
The Scriptures tell us that Mary is full of grace, and was chosen of God. "Be it unto me according to thy Word," was Mary's joyous response to God's plan of redemption. Her obedience initiated the process of our salvation. In her, "the Word became flesh." She has a unique and special relationship with Jesus, and was close to him during his ministry, and the first miracle was performed at her instigation. On the Cross, Jesus gave her to his disciple John, "behold, your mother," and thus to all mankind. And on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon her and the apostles. She is indeed "Mother of the Church." Her word to us is, "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it!"
The Society of Mary was formed in 1931 by the union of its parent societies, the Confraternity of Our Lady (founded in 1880) and the League of Our Lady (founded in 1902). It has members all over the world and is not confined to Anglicans alone. In 1962 a group of American priests, knowing of two Wards functioning in the Episcopal Church and affiliated with the parent body, received permission from the General Council in England to set up a regional organization in the United States. With the advent of the Ordinariates, the practice has continued of allowing those of an Anglican heritage establish Wards of the Society of Mary.
Our Lady of Ransom, pray for us.
The Society at Bl. John's
Here at Bl. John's the Society of Mary leads the Rosary after Mass and is also in charge of coordinating the Marian processions, particularly our participation in the Queen of Angels Procession each September in Los Angeles, and also for our annual May Devotions.
The May Devotions include a special Mass of Our Lady. It is one of our larger annual festivals in May, complete with an outdoor procession, May crowning, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and parish garden party following.
All are welcome and encouraged to participate in the events and devotions led by the Society of Mary at Bl. John's. If you'd like to become a member of the Society of Mary here at Bl. John's, please visit the main website to fill out and subit the form (making sure to include that you wish to join the "Our Lady of Ransom" Cell at Bl. John Henry Newman Catholic Church and notify the head of the Society of Mary at our parish:
The May Devotions include a special Mass of Our Lady. It is one of our larger annual festivals in May, complete with an outdoor procession, May crowning, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and parish garden party following.
All are welcome and encouraged to participate in the events and devotions led by the Society of Mary at Bl. John's. If you'd like to become a member of the Society of Mary here at Bl. John's, please visit the main website to fill out and subit the form (making sure to include that you wish to join the "Our Lady of Ransom" Cell at Bl. John Henry Newman Catholic Church and notify the head of the Society of Mary at our parish:
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