Mary, Our Lady of Victory

Objectives

At the end of the teaching assembly, the MFC members are expected to:

1. Learn the significant story of the Our Lady of Victory.

2. Appreciate Mary’s role in our lives as a couple, a family, and a community.

3. Commit to be more devoted to Jesus through Mary. 

Expanded Outline

I. Introduction

Victory holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics, which is why the feast on October 7 is so significant to us. This day commemorates the glorious intervention of Our Lady in saving Christendom during the Battle of Lepanto. Originally named the Feast of Our Lady of Victory by Pope Pius V, it was later renamed the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope Pius V established this feast in 1571 to give thanks for the defeat of the Muslim forces in the naval battle off the coast of Lepanto, Italy. He had called upon all Western Christians to pray the Rosary, attributing the victory not to the might of ships and cannons, but to the power of Marian prayer.

Such is our experience with the intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary. We have plenty of stories of victories attributed to the powerful help of Our Lady. Let us navigate through different life battles where we experience God’s grace through Mary’s help.

II. Life Battles

a. Battle for the Beauty of Marriage

Christian marriage is divinely designed by God to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman. However, in today’s society, we witness numerous divorces, separations, cohabitation without marriage, and trial marriages. These trends reflect the enemy’s efforts to undermine and destroy the sanctity of marriage, thereby disrupting God’s plan for the world.

b. Battles in our Families

Family life is not a journey without its troubles and difficulties. There are situations of fear and anxiety: family members getting sick, financial difficulties, and the loss of loved ones. There is a temptation to doubt God’s plan and veer away from a relationship with Him.

c. Battle for the Sanctity of Life

Many in our society today choose not to bring children into the world, turning instead to contraception and abortion. Modern culture often promotes the idea that pets can replace children in a family. Additionally, some radical feminists and liberals undermine the value of motherhood and authentic womanhood, advocating for complete control over their bodies. As a result, children are often viewed as burdens rather than blessings.

We have battles in life fought within and outside our families. As MFC, we commit to defending marriage, family, and life through our work of evangelization and family renewal with the aid of Mary. Let us learn how Mary followed and obeyed the will of God by promoting the beauty of marriage, family, and life.

III.  Victory through Mary’s Examples

a.   Mary’s fidelity in marriage

Fidelity in marriage means remaining faithful to one’s spouse through all of life’s ups and downs, until death. Mary exemplifies this fidelity in her marriage and family life, staying together through thick and thin, even in the most challenging circumstances.

As married individuals, we are called to be faithful to our spouse, our children, and our marriage covenant. We are called to embody the love of God—unilateral, unconditional, and self-sacrificial.

b.   Mary’s Faith in God’s Plan for Family

Mary exemplifies faith. Despite her initial confusion and inability to fully grasp the angel’s message, she accepted it as God’s revealed will and completely opened herself to be His instrument.

We are also called to have faith, which unleashes God’s power and fulfills His plans in our lives. God is faithful, trustworthy, reliable, and dependable. Our faith in Him will bring immeasurable blessings to our families.

c.   Mary’s being Pro-Life

Embracing a pro-life stance means upholding the Culture of Life, which centers on God and His divine design. Mary exemplifies this as she brought into the world the One who is life itself.

As Catholics, we are called to actively promote pro-life values. Life originates from God and belongs to Him. We honor the sanctity of life and strive to ensure that life is lived to its fullest, according to God’s design.

IV.      Conclusion

As Missionary Families of Christ, we signed up to become part of the army of Mary. We are part of the great spiritual war that rages upon us. The battle is about marriage, family, and life. But let us not lose hope in this decisive battle. Mary has given us a powerful weapon, which is the Rosary. We must pray the Rosary every day.

We use the tools God gave us in the community. We evangelize people and lead them to renewal so that their families will be for Christ. Let us call on the intercession of Mary in all our life’s battles and commit to loving Jesus through Mary.

Resource: 40 More Days with Mary by Bro Frank Padilla

Activity

CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

O Blessed Virgin Mary, you with your Son Jesus crushed the head of the serpent. In the spiritual war that continues to rage in the heavens and on earth, you have already won the victory.

Your holy warriors stand before you, dear Mother Mary. We consecrate ourselves to the cause of your Son Jesus, the Redeemer of the world, and to you as his Co-Redemptrix. We dedicate ourselves to the task of winning souls for the Kingdom. We commit to do battle against all evil forces.

Cover us with your mantle of protection as you send us forth under your banner.

Discussion Question

a.  What are my life’s battles that I need Mary’s intercession?

b.  How can I deepen my love for Jesus through devotion to the Virgin Mary?