Mary at the Foot of The Cross: Lenten Conference #5 The conference reflects on Mary at the Foot of The Cross, encouraging believers to deepen their relationship with God as Easter approaches. The listeners are invited to examine their spiritual progress and open their hearts to God’s love, mercy, and presence. The meditation draws parallels between three biblical moments involving Mary: -1- The Wedding at Cana – where Mary initiates Jesus’ public ministry by asking him to perform his first miracle. -2- Calvary (The Cross) – where Mary stands by Jesus during his crucifixion, showing total obedience and love. -3- The Garden of Eden – where sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, which is reversed by the obedience of Jesus (the new Adam) and Mary (the new Eve) on the Cross. Mary’s presence at both Cana and Calvary highlights her symbolic and spiritual role. At Cana, she helps bring joy through wine; at Calvary, she participates in the ultimate sacrifice as Jesus gives himself—and his mother—to humanity. Mary and the Eucharist The meditation also explores the deep connection between Mary and the Eucharist. As the mother of Jesus, Mary is called the “Woman of the Eucharist” by St. John Paul II. Just as she bore Jesus physically, she invites us to receive him spiritually in the Eucharist. Her fiat (“let it be done”) is echoed when we say “Amen” during Communion, accepting Jesus into our lives. The reflection ends with a poetic hymn about Mary’s Sorrow at the Cross, inviting believers to share in her suffering and love, and to live lives of deeper faith and union with Christ. Listen to this Lenten Season Friday Devotional Conference: Listen to … Mary at the Foot of The Cross: Lenten Conference #5 ------------------------------------------------- image: Christ of St. John of The Cross: Spanish Painter: Salvador Dalí: 1951 The painting is known as the Christ of Saint John of the Cross, because its design is based on a drawing by the 16th-century Spanish friar John of the Cross. Note: This is a low-resolution picture for copyright purposes. ------------------------------------------------- Note: This marks the Fifth Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. Select the Friday Lenten Season Link below to see all conferences captured to date.