Holy Week: Mary, Disciple of the Lord

Mary, Disciple of the Lord during Holy Week

Mary in the Pascal Cycle

The pascal cycle, which spans approximately three months, focuses on the celebrations of the sacred Triduum, forming the core of the life of ecclesial communities. It is a period of penitential reflection on the exodus and liberation brought by Easter, experienced individually.In this time, crucial events of salvation occur: Christ walks towards the fulfillment of the Father’s will in the supreme sacrifice, his Passover from this world to the Father. Meanwhile, the Church experiences the presence and action of the Risen One, who completes his mission with the gift of the Holy Spirit.The Virgin Mary is significantly present during this phase. The Gospel of John offers a contemplative testimony of her presence beside the Son.The Lenten season, with its dual baptismal and penitential character, aims to annually prepare the faithful to celebrate Easter through a more attentive listening of the Word of God and more intense prayer (Codex of Canon Law, 1963).The commitment required by the Lenten journey encourages the faithful to follow in Christ’s footsteps on the cross, reflecting on their “sequela Christi”—that is, how they accepted and followed the proclamation of faith in Christ’s steps. Mary, with her presence, serves as a concrete example of how to receive and respond to the Word of God on the liberating path of the cross.

Mary Disciple of the Lord

Following Christ on the cross means adopting the attitude of the disciple who walks in the Master’s footsteps. These are the same footsteps that Mary walked.The Gospel passages of Luke 2:41-52 and Matthew 12:46-50 highlight this discipleship dimension. The first narrates the young Jesus in the Temple, lost in reflection, and Mary’s response, who keeps these things in her heart. The second reminds us that doing the will of the Father is part of Jesus’ heritage, revealing the importance of being in union with Him.The true discipleship resides in keeping the divine Word as treasure, a wisdom that gladdens the heart (Psalm 119:18-24, 27-30). The assembly celebrates this reality: “Your words are spirit and life” (Jn 6:63), acknowledging Mary as blessed for keeping the Word of God in her heart.Maria is described as the “first and perfect disciple” in the Apostolic Exhortation *Marialis Cultus*, where her full and unconditional availability to the Word is highlighted. She represents the model of one who welcomes the Word and walks the path of the cross.Ser discípulo fiel de Cristo, como Maria, implica em:1. Constantly seek the will of the Father and carry it out with love. 2. Pay attention to the word of Christ and demonstrate fidelity to his commandments.To gain a deeper understanding, explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology. The encyclical *Redemptoris Mater* by Saint John Paul II provides additional insights into Mary’s role in Christ’s Passion and Resurrection.