MASS CELEBRATED BY ARCHBISHOP DENIS HART AT SAINT PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, MELBOURNE, FOR THE HELPERS OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS ON SATURDAY, 26 JUNE 2010 AT 9AM

INTRODUCTION

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we celebrate the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Teacher in the Spirit. 

We seek to be faithful, as she was, to Jesus and in praying that the gift of life will everywhere be respected we know how Mary pondered and treasured the Lord whom she carried in her womb.  In a special way we make her Patroness of all, who by prayer and example, witness to the unique value and sacredness of each human life.

That we may be faithful throughout all of our life to the Lord, aided by the prayers of his Mother, let us call to mind our sins.

HOMILY

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Gospel we have just read rightly stresses that for each of us faithfulness to Christ and his truth is even above the closest of human relationships.  We are related to Jesus because we do the will of the Father in heaven.      In thanking you for the faithfulness that you show to God’s will and to the value of each human life, I wish to comment on the two elements which are the part of faithfulness; prayer and action.

Our Lady has always been known by members of the Carmelite Order as a Mother and Teacher in the Spirit (the title of this Mass) because she was the perfect disciple of Christ and as we will sing in the Preface is still a mother continuing to give God children, encouraging them by her love, and drawing them by her example to pursue perfect charity.  So Our Lady is the perfect model of all who live by the spirit of the Gospel.  The witness that we give to the value of life is sustained by prayer “as we look up to Mary in prayer, loving God above all things”, and this is linked with an untiring desire to serve the needs of others.

Here at Mass and in our times of prayer we go up to the mountain of the Lord so that from and with Mary we find life and in our example and apostolate she gives us her protection.  As I commend you for your witness to the value of human life I would stress these two elements; constant prayer to God that our lives and God’s will may be aligned, witness in charity and respect that shows that we genuinely want the ultimate and best good of others. 

As Helpers of God’s Precious Infants this means that our prayers, our practical deeds, not merely in times of witness, although this is so important, but throughout our whole lives, will move minds and hearts where merely human means will fail. 

We do remember that Mary encourages us by her love and draws us by her example to pursue perfect charity and to live in the spirit of the Gospel.  May these elements always inspire comfort and challenge for the wonderful work done by the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants.

+ Denis J. Hart,
ARCHBISHOP OF MELBOURNE.