Statue of Blessed Mother beckons invitingly to all
| It's early morning, and someone has already placed a bouquet of flowers in the folded hands of this statue of the Blessed Mother at Manresa. | |||
Area offers relaxation, peace, beauty
After visiting Manresa once or twice, most retreatants have discovered a place at Manresa they consider special - for prayer, for relaxation, for peace, for beauty. One place that fulfills all those needs is tucked away in a quiet setting accessible only from the winding walkway that leads from the chapel to St. Joseph's hall. It is there that a very special statue of the Blessed Mother can be found, in beautiful surroundings that enhance a prayerful experience.
Hidden just off the beaten path, you find the life-size statue of Mary standing in the center of a paved cul-de-sac. Surrounded by finely manicured natural beauty, the area is furnished comfortably with a handful of benches and chairs. Upon stepping into the area, you notice a bouquet of flowers that someone has secretly placed in Our Lady's hands, which are folded in prayer. The stark white matte finish of the sculpture understates its beauty. It conveys a spirit of unwavering devotion, prayer, and peace. Mary prays, and asks that we join her. Some visitors stay just long enough for a silent word or two, while others linger longer to pray, to read, to meditate, to relax, to appreciate the peace and beauty. One man brings a rosary and another brings a book, while others come with nothing more than an open heart and their spontaneous prayers to Jesus, to be offered through the immaculate heart of Mary. It is particularly beautiful around the statue today at daybreak. Visitors trickle in and out, as rays of sunlight just begin pierce the mist. One early morning riser warms his hands around a fragrant cup of hot coffee, as the steam rises toward his face. Later in the day, the area draws others with shade from the summer sun. At night, it calls you back with soft garden lighting beneath the brightly sparkling stars. Overhead, each arm of the towering crepe myrtles seems to stretch higher than the other, until they bend under their own weight and join their leafy fingers above. Your solitude is veiled to all sides by vigorous mature azaleas. Despite its visual isolation, the area beckons invitingly to all retreatants, as a catalyst for prayer and peace. In the surrounding trees, a bright red cardinal energetically dashes from branch to branch. It pauses briefly atop a nearby wooden fence to break the silence with a serenade, and just as quickly disappears. A squirrel leaps from one straining branch to the next. A bee samples the nectar of blossoms in the lush garden, and a butterfly, directed by the gentle breeze, flutters by. A tiny spider weaves an amazing architectural masterpiece. A disciplined army of ants, one behind the other, cooperatively retrieves their next meal. A rabbit hops playfully across the freshly-mowed lawn, just steps away. A flower floats down from the canopy above and softly touches your arm. You recall scripture, "This is the day which the Lord has made." A bit more focused now, the sight of the statue gathers your attention back to prayer. You pray not to the statue, but to Christ, through the intercession of His mother. Over the course of many Manresa retreats, you may offer prayers of praise, thanksgiving, petition, and contrition at the site. But at this time, you reach into your top pocket, page through your retreat manual, and come across the Memorare. You pray silently.Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother; to you we come; before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer them. Amen.
