Magnifying the Lord in MFC

Objectives

 At the end of the session, the participants are expected to:

1. See how Mama Mary’s Fiat, Magnificat, and Stabat inspire active and committed membership in MFC.

2. Grow in devotion to Mama Mary by imitating her love and dedication to God’s mission.

3. Commit to living out the life and mission of MFC.

Expanded Outline

I. Introduction

In MFC, we look to our Mother Mary as the model for living out our covenant with God. She is our guide as we strive to grow in our relationship with God. She is our example in living out our life and mission. This is because her life shows us how to embody the call that God has given to us to be a missionary family. 

II. Magnifying the Lord 

This is why we have consecrated our community to Mama Mary (Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary), because her example reminds us that discipleship is not a one-time decision, but a daily commitment. It is a journey of love, sacrifice, and grace, walked with courage and sustained by faith. Her entire life was a continuous offering to the Lord, marked by complete trust and unwavering perseverance.

Through her loving intercession, Mama Mary invites us each day to live for Jesus, not merely in words, but through the witness of our lives. She calls us to glorify God in our families, to serve joyfully in our communities, and to remain steadfast in faith through every trial. 

As we deepen our devotion to her, we are led to imitate her Fiat, her Magnificat, and her Stabat and learn from her what it means to be active and committed members of Missionary Families of Christ. 

 III. Mary’s Fiat, Magnificat, and Stabat

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you.”  Luke 1: 26-31

Scripture reveals that Mama Mary is truly favored by the Lord. God’s constant presence with her is not only declared by the angel but also manifested in three key moments of her life: the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the Crucifixion. From these sacred encounters, we draw a powerful lesson in active and committed discipleship.

At the Annunciation, her Fiat, a humble yet courageous “Yes” to God’s will—teaches us the essence of trusting fully in the Lord’s plan. During the Visitation, her Magnificat overflows with praise and gratitude, revealing a heart anchored in joyful service and deep faith. And at the Crucifixion, her Stabat, as she stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross, exemplifies unwavering strength and love in the face of suffering.

A.        Mary’s Fiat 

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. 

May it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

The Latin word “Fiat” means “let it be done.” In uttering these words to St. Gabriel, Mama Mary embraced a life of total surrender and obedience to God’s will. Her “yes” was not passive, it was a courageous commitment to live out God’s plan, no matter the cost.  

As members of Missionary Families of Christ, we too have entered in a covenanted relationship with the Lord. In doing so, we have said our own “yes”, a promise to surrender our lives and obey God’s will for us. But the question remains: have we truly surrendered our will to the Lord?

• Do I say “yes” when the Lord calls me to serve, even when it’s inconvenient?  

• Do I make time to be present in household meetings, chapter assemblies, and community gatherings even when life gets busy?  

• Do I faithfully offer my tithe and share my resources to support the mission?  

As active and committed members of MFC, we are often called beyond our comfort zones, to serve, to give, to be present. Like Mama Mary, we may feel unworthy or inadequate. But she did not let fear or doubt silence her “yes.” Her Fiat was a leap of faith, trusting that God would provide what she lacked. 

May we, too, imitate her surrender. May we offer our own Fiat each day, allowing God to take control of our lives, trusting that He will use our “yes” to bring Christ to others.

B.        Mary’s Magnificat

Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour” Luke 1:46-47

The Magnificat is Mama Mary’s hymn of praise, a song overflowing with humility, joy, and gratitude. It reflects her deep trust in God and her readiness to serve. She proclaimed this beautiful prayer during her visit to St. Elizabeth. Mama Mary journeyed to her cousin’s home and stayed with her sharing in her joy, walking with her through the challenges of pregnancy, and serving her with a heart full of grace.

As members of Missionary Families of Christ, we are likewise called to serve our brothers and sisters to walk with them through life’s highs and lows, and to be present in their victories and defeats. But we must ask ourselves: have we truly embraced this call to be with our brethren?

• Do I make myself available to help my brethren in need?

• Do I set aside time to build relationship and be in fellowship with them?

• Do I serve them with joy and gratitude in my heart?

As active and committed members of MFC, we are often invited beyond our comfort zones to offer a ministry of presence and encouragement. Like Mama Mary, we may feel that we do not have the time or the energy to serve. Yet she did not let hesitation hold her back. Her Magnificat was not just a song it was a life poured out in service.

May her example inspire us to glorify the Lord with our lives. Let her Magnificat become our own an anthem of joyful service and faithful love for our brothers and sisters in MFC.

C.       Mary’s Stabat

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother” John 19:25

The Latin word “Stabat” means “she stood.” This moment refers to when Mama Mary stood with unwavering presence at the foot of the Cross during Jesus’ crucifixion. In that hour of agony, she did not flee from pain. She remained, silent, sorrowful, yet steadfast. While the disciples scattered, Roman soldiers tortured, and religious leaders condemned, Mary remained faithful. She stood by her Son, not with words, but with love that endured suffering.

As members of Missionary Families of Christ, we too will face moments of pain and trial as we hold fast to our convictions. We may be wounded by fellow servant-leaders, misunderstood by our own members, or experience oppression in our service to the Lord. Yet the question remains: Will I remain faithful to the Lord?

• Will I remain faithful even when I am hurt?

• Will I remain faithful even when I am betrayed?

• Will I remain faithful even when I am disrespected?

As active and committed members of MFC, we are often called beyond our comfort zones, to love and forgive those who wound us. Like Mama Mary, we may find it difficult. But she did not let her pain keep her from standing at the foot of the Cross. Her Stabat teaches us to stand firm in faith, even when it hurts, to accompany others in their suffering and remain faithful to God’s will.

These three moments, marked by the Latin words Fiat, Magnificat, and Stabat, shows us Mama Mary’s journey as a model of active and committed discipleship. They invite us to follow her example in becoming active and committed members of MFC. 

Conclusion

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home”. John 19:26-27

Being an active and committed member of Missionary Families of Christ is not always easy. The call to live out our covenant, to serve, to witness, to love, often comes with trials, sacrifices, and moments of weakness. But Jesus, in His perfect wisdom and compassion, knew this. That is why, as He entrusted His beloved disciple to His mother at the foot of the Cross, He also entrusted us to her care.

When He called us to be part of this community, He gave us Mama Mary, not just as a symbol of comfort, but as a living intercessor and guide. Through her maternal love and powerful prayers, we are strengthened to remain faithful in our covenant and courageous in our mission.

Let us then make a conscious and heartfelt effort to grow in our love and devotion to her. As we welcome her into our hearts and homes, just as the beloved disciple did, may we allow her to shape us into the missionary family God desires us to be: faithful, joyful, and united in love.

Discussion Group Questions

1. How have I experienced Mama Mary’s guidance and intercession in my journey as a member of Missionary Families of Christ?

2. What steps can I take to grow in my love and devotion to her, so I may remain faithful to my covenant and mission?