Video Resources

A Great Symphony of Prayer: Mary, the Saints and Scripture

Webinar Series

3, 10, 17, 24 OCTOBER 2024

Introduction

In October 2024, the CCCB Ad hoc Committee for the Preparation for the Jubilee 2025 hosted the second part of a four session webinar series titled, “A Great Symphony of Prayer, Mary, the Saints and Scripture”, enabling the faithful a meaningful way to participate in the Year of Prayer which was announced by Pope Francis on 21 January 2024.

The Jubilee Office in Rome prepared a series of booklets on prayer, the themes of which were taken up during the webinar series. The webinar series was presented by Dr. Josephine Lombardi of St. Augustine Seminary and addressed the following topics.

  1. Praying with Mary / The Rosary
  2. Praying with the Saints / St. Teresa of Avila
  3. The Prayer of Jesus / John 17
  4. Lectio Divina / The Storm at Sea

These webinar sessions were recorded and are now available for viewing by individuals or groups, either in person or online. To facilitate reflection or discussion around the webinars, the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis has prepared this Guide for viewers who may wish to extend their learning through individual reflection and small group discussions.

Materials

It may be helpful to have the following materials at hand:

  • A Catholic Bible
  • The video recordings of each webinar (if not viewing the videos as a group)

Guidelines for Discussions

  • All participants may be invited to contribute to the discussions. However, if some choose not to speak, this should be
  • One person speaks at a time.

Participants, if they choose, may respond to the speaker with humility and charity.

 

 

Session 1: Praying with Mary / The Rosary Speaker: Dr. Josephine Lombardi

Webinar Recording

Reflection Guide – Session 1 – Praying with Mary_ The Rosary

  1. As Catholics, our understanding of Mary is deeply rooted in truths revealed through both sacred scripture and through the ‘pillars of sacred tradition’. How does your knowledge and understanding of Mary, inspired by scripture and tradition, and Marian devotions (e.g., Rosary) help to draw you closer to Christ?

 

  1. At the Wedding Feast of Cana and again at the Crucifixion, Jesus refers to Mary with the specific title of ‘woman’, further helping to define her unique and significant role in the Church and in salvation history. As the ‘new Eve’, how does Mary serve as a model of virtue to you, and what does she teach you about the dignity and vocation of women?

 

  1. One way shared by Dr. Lombardi in the webinar “to increase mindfulness of the present moment while praying the Rosary” is to connect your own lived experience to the mystery being contemplated (e.g., connecting your own suffering to that of Mary or Jesus in the Sorrowful Mysteries). Do you have other suggestions or your own lived experiences for contemplation that help you to be more fully present whilst praying the Rosary?

 

We have been given permission by Dr. Lombardi to share the link for her blog post that she prepared on the Rosary:

https://josephinelombardi.com/2023/10/02/celebrating-the-month-of-the-rosary/

 

Additional Materials

Lectio Divina Guide Sheet

PDF “Living with the Rosary booklet” – coming soon

 

Session 2: Praying with the Saints / St. Teresa of Avila Speaker: Dr. Josephine Lombardi

Webinar Recording

Reflection Guide – Session 2 – Praying with the Saints_ St. Teresa of Avila

  1. In discussing the Universal Call to Holiness, Dr Lombardi suggests that God will reveal to each of us aspects of our personality and our life in need of healing and restoration, in need of understanding and forgiveness. Reflect upon this statement as it applies to you.

 

  1. Dr. Lombardi suggests that the Saints model for us the humility that we cannot achieve holiness on our own – that “we’re going to struggle, we’re going to have moments of doubt, that we’re going to be challenged to trust God when a very difficult situation comes our way.” Reflect upon a time when God’s healing grace brought light into your life during a challenging time.

 

  1. In her book The Interior Castle, St. Teresa uses the analogy of a castle to describe the journey that the human spirit passes through over a lifetime dedicated to prayer. She proposes seven levels or “mansions’, each one bringing us closer to the heart of God. Situate yourself in that journey. Where are you in your own journey of faith at this time? What goals do you have in your own faith development?

 

Session 3: The Prayer of Jesus / John 17 Speaker: Dr. Josephine Lombardi

Webinar Recording

Reflection Guide

Session 3 – The Prayer of Jesus_ John 17

  1. Jesus refers to himself as “I AM” in John’s Gospel. Revisit the “I AM” Statements in John’s Gospel (beginning at 26:10 in the webinar video). Which one(s) speak to you most? In what way(s)?

 

  1. In reviewing the structure of the Prayer of Jesus {Jesus prays for himself (1-5); Jesus prays for his disciples (6-19); Jesus prays for all believers (20-26), Dr. Lombardi suggests this structure can be a beautiful model for personal prayer (praying for yourself, praying for your family, praying for others). She suggests, “Jesus models for us, it’s okay to start with praying for your own needs.” What needs are you praying for in your own life at this time? (personal reflection)

 

  1. Dr. Lombardi outlines three key themes of John’s Gospel: (Revisit 1:00:12 to 1:22:57 in the webinar video)

UNITY – “Our mission is to bring about greater unity.”

  1. What can you do to bring about greater unity?

 

MISSION – “We have other missions, to make God known, to make Jesus known, to reproduce the pattern of love we see expressed between the persons of the Trinity, in our families, in the workplace…”

  1. What actions can you take to make God known? To make Jesus known? To bring love to others?

 

GLORY – “The promise is we will share in the glory of the Resurrection and experience the glory of being in the presence of God.”

  1. What does the promise of the Resurrection mean to you?

Additional Materials: Lectio Divina Guide Sheet

Session 4: Lectio Divina / The Storm at Sea Speaker: Dr. Josephine Lombardi

Webinar Recording

Reflection Guide – Session 4 – Lectio Divina_ The Storm at Sea

  1. How might one use Lectio Divina in a catechetical setting?

 

  1. Lombardi discusses the example of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) as a Scripture passage which has relevance for most of us in our lives. Reflect upon the following:

 

  • What are the storms in your own life?
  • Where do you need calm?
  • What is God saying to you and what are you saying to God?

 

  1. Identify three other Scripture passages that you feel would be fruitful to use in Lectio Divina.

 

  1. What are some resources that might be helpful for a person seeking to lead a group in Lectio Divina?