Mary Page: Meditation: Mary, Beloved of the Trinity

Sister Ann Marie Harrison, IHM

O Mary graced immaculate,
Belov'd of Trinity you are
Mother of God's Incarnate Son
With holiness beyond all saints.

A woman holy you were made
To bear the Son whose merits saved.
He named you Mother of us all,
"Belov'd of Trinity" our name.

Companion us along life's way
On our return to theTrinity
That one in prayer and faithfulness
Our lives will mirror your full "Yes."

To Father, Son, and Spirit praise
For Your great Love that moves as grace
and forms us in discipleship
To live Your Will as Mary did.

The purpose of this title is to invite us to appreciate Mary's role in accompanying us on our return to the Trinity, while acknowledging her Son as our sole Mediator with the Father in the Spirit. Mary will be seen as she is: a creature preeminently loved by the Trinity for the sending of Jesus among us as man. In fact, our view of Mary will make clearer our own identity. Mary, Beloved of the Trinity, will focus on our being in the family of the Beloved of the Trinity also.

Always before discussing who Mary is for us, it is necessary that we speak of the Trinity and of Jesus Christ, God Made Man.

Christians can find their Trinity-illumined identity in the scripture that states God is Love. God created us in the image and likeness of the Three Divine Persons in One God. Thus, God created us in the image of Love, Relational Love, and Perfect Community in Unity.

Love defines not only our identity, but also our relational power that is designed to flow full-circle. The movement of human life has both its origin and destination in the Trinity Who is Love. The flow of human life that moves from origin to return is accompanied. It is not a journey made in isolation. Everyone who believes in Jesus, His Father and the Spirit knows the spiritual path cannot be walked without reference to the community of believers, past, present and future. We recognize the full community of love that forms the journey: the Trinity and those who precede and join us in faith and discipleship, especially Mary.

Simply put, our human family name is Beloved of the Trinity. That reality is totally inclusive. It establishes equality of persons worldwide, even for our brothers and sisters who do not yet know their identity in the same terms.

Our quality of life takes on a profound spiritual richness when we know we are the object of the love of the Trinity. To be the object of the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit calls for response on our part. Response in love to the Trinity is found in true Gospel living.

Further, our human family name "Beloved of the Trinity" includes Mary pre-eminently as "Beloved of the Trinity" both in time and for eternity. Realization of this has potential for healing the wounds of humankind and for encouraging fidelity to our identity alone and together before God.

A summary of the Christian life is found in the full circle experience: we come from the Trinity; in grace we return to the Trinity. Since the Incarnation, we know Mary companions our return to the Trinity. As the creature who best knows and lives relationship to the Trinity, Mary is our teacher in faith.

Additional Reflections and Material Available:

reflection for elementary and high school in-service days
article for parishioners
sample of ribbons
documentation of approval of this title

See below for a selection of images that portray Mary in the presence of the Trinity. Images

Each of us, like Mary, is beloved of the Trinity.
Fostering loving devotion to Mary teaches each of us
– no matter what our age and place in life –
that as she was loved, so too are we loved.

Children draw images of Mary Beloved of the Trinity

The meditation, Mary, Beloved of the Trinity, was prepared by Sister Ann Marie Harrison, IHM. The words to the hymn were also written by A. M. Harrison, IHM, 1998; Melody: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow ."

Further information on the development of this Marian title can be obtained by emailing Sister Ann Marie Harrison, IHM at amhihm@msn.com.

Images that Portray Mary in the Presence of the Trinity


> Coronation of Mary "Magnificat" Dieric Bouts d.A., ca. 1410/20-1475	Coronation of the Virgin Diego Velazquez, 1599-1660 Prado Madrid, Spain

Coronation of the Virgin Enguerrand Charonton	Mary and the Trinity

Altarpiece of Coronation of the Virgin 1499, Wood, 180 x 230 cm Basilica, Szepeskáptalan See actual website Web Gallery of Art	Adoration of the Trinity Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528 Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum
	The Trinity with the Virgin and Four Kneeling Angels Niccolò di Pietro Gerini Florence, active 1368-1415 The image depicts God the Father seated on a throne, blessing with his right hand and holding an orb, symbol of dominion over the world in his left. From his heart proceeds the Holy Spirit, who is directed to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus holds the scepter in his right hand and Sacred Scripture in his left. The words of the sacred text are John 14,6: "I am the way, the truth and the life." Mary shares the seat with Jesus, even while she turns to him in prayer. The angels kneeling at the foot of the throne offer gifts and praise. The image to the left appeared in the July 1999 issue of The Burlington Magazine It was sponsored by Hall & Knight Ltd, Dealers and Agents in European Art. They can be reached at 212-772-2266

Coronation of the Holy Virgin 1891 printing plate based on Gagliardi tableau in the Church of St. Augustine, Rome Le Saint Rosaire / Marian Library holdings	Madonna of the Stonemasons ROBBIA, Andrea della (1475-80) Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence

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