From the Friars: Spouse of the Spirit

As we celebrate Pentecost we hear of the dramatic manifestation of the Holy Spirit in tongues of fire and a noise like a strong driving wind. Of course the Spirit is invisible in Himself and these are natural symbols of our God Who is a “Consuming Fire” (Heb 12:29) and a wind that blows where it will. (Jn 3:8) But there is another visible reality present that in some ways manifests even more clearly the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. This is the Mother of the Lord.

Stained glass at Holy Rosary Shrine in Lawrence, MA depicting Pentecost

Saint Maximilian Kolbe is known as the Martyr of Auschwitz but he was also a great Mariologist. He reflected deeply for decades especially on the mystery of the Immaculate Conception, along with Our Lady’s title of Spouse of the Holy Spirit. As the fruit of the mutual self-gift of the Father and the Son, he called the Spirit the Uncreated Immaculate Conception. Likewise, he called Mary the quasi-incarnation of the Holy Spirit. These are strong words but St. Maximilian wanted to stress as much as possible the unity between Our Lady and her Divine Spouse.

Hence as the extraordinary events unfolded on Pentecost, the presence of “The Woman” can teach us much. Her love is one with the Divine Person Who is the Bond of Love between the Father and the Son. It is self-less, hidden, seeking only the good of the beloved. It the heroic love of the mother who sacrifices her life for her children. This is why she is the greatest of all God’s creatures.

As you walk out of the main entrance of Holy Family Hospital in Methuen you come face to face with a statue of Our Blessed Mother with an inscription beneath it that reads: “Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces Pray for Us.” This title is given to her by several Popes. It states the will of her Son that all the graces He merited for us on the Cross be given to us through her. The Holy Spirit that we received at our Baptism making us adopted sons and daughters in the Son, now sanctifies us with His Spouse, our spiritual mother.

Let us follow their guidance for the Glory of God.

Amen.
–Fr. Peter