Learning about Our Lady

LEARNING ABOUT

Our Lady catholicdiscovery.nz

Explore, learn, and pray with Mary, Our Lady!

Yrs 5 - 6 Learning about Our Lady

A Learning Resource from the Catholic Enquiry Centre

St Mary of the Angels, Wellington

National Shrine

Te Ara a Maria: Mary’s Way New Zealand was dedicated to Mary as ‘Our Lady, Assumed into Heaven’ by Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier during the first Mass in New Zealand at Totara Point on January 13, 1838. The New Zealand bishops wrote, “Bishop Pompallier placed our country under the protection of Mary as she is now – alive, body and soul, rejoicing in the happiness of God’s kingdom.” On August 15, 2021, the Feast of the Assumption, the country’s bishops gathered in Wellington to renew this dedication. To commemorate this, they commissioned an artwork of Mary by Christchurch artist Damien Walker. The artwork can be viewed at St Mary of the Angels, Wellington, our National Shrine to Mary, Assumed into Heaven.

E te Atua, Kaihanga o te rangi me te whenua, te mātāpuna o te ora, te kaituku o ngā mea pai katoa. e īnoi ana mātou mō Aotearoa Niu Tīreni me te hunga ka tau mai ki ōna takutai hei kāinga mō rātou.

E hoki ana ngā mahara i te ngākau mākoha ki ō tātou tūpuna Whakapono, nā rātou tēnei whenua i tuku i raro i gnā manaakitanga o Meri, ko te Whaea o te Atua, i tangohia ki te rangi.

Uhuia mai tōu Wairua i a mātou e rapu ana i te whakautu ki ā koe, koia ko te kawe mai tōu aumārie me te rangimārie ki tēnei whenua tapu.

Kia whakanui tonu mātou i ā koe i a mātou e kawe nei i te Rongo Pai o Hēhu Karaiti ki ō tātou tuāhine, tungāne, tuākana, tēina.

Mā te Karaiti, to mātou Ariki. Āmene.

E Meri, i tangahia ki te rangi; īnoi mō mātou.

E te Atua, God, Creator of heaven and earth, Source of all life , giver of all that is good, We pray for Aotearoa New Zealand And for all who come to her shores and make it their home.

We recall with gratitude our forbears in the Faith, Who dedicated this country to the care of Mary, Mother of God, assumed into heaven.

Pour out your Spirit upon us as we seek to respond to you, Bringing your peace and harmony to this sacred land.

May we continue to praise you as we carry the Good News of Jesus to our brother and sisters.

We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Mary, assumed into heaven, pray for us.

You can find out more and watch a video of the dedication Mass at: smoa.org.nz/national-shrine/

Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua, is a unique representation of Mary in New Zealand, blending a traditional Māori perspective with the Catholic faith. This image includes elements like marae (meeting grounds), whanau (family), whakapapa (genealogy), and kaitiaki (guardians), showing their connection to Catholic traditions.

In this image, Mary and Jesus are central figures. Mary wears a korowai (cloak) in the blue of the pukeko bird, symbolising the oceans crossed by New Zealand’s ancestors.

Her cloak features the Poutama, a pattern representing the pathway to heavenly knowledge, highlighting her role in leading us to Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

You can colour in the image to create your own Ko Hāta Maria. Use vibrant colours to bring this special depiction of Mary to life and reflect on the unique blend of Māori culture and Catholic faith as you colour.

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The Hail Mary The Hail Mary is a beautiful and powerful prayer in the Catholic faith, dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. This activity will help you understand the meaning behind each part of the prayer and deepen your connection to Mary through thoughtful reflection. Let’s explore the Hail Mary prayer together and discover the messages it holds for us.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

1. Break Down the Prayer Reflect on each line of the Hail Mary prayer. Take a moment to think about what each part means and how it relates to Mary’s role in our faith.

2. Reflection Questions A. “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” What does it mean to you that Mary is “full of grace” and that “the Lord is with her”?

How can we see God’s presence in our own lives?

B. “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus” Why do you think Mary is considered “blessed among women”?

How does her special role as the mother of Jesus inspire you? c. “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death” How do you feel knowing that Mary is always there to pray for us?

In what ways can we ask for her intercession in our daily lives?

3. Personal Reflection Write a short reflection or draw a picture that expresses what the Hail Mary prayer means to you personally. Think about how Mary’s example of faith and devotion can guide you in your own life.

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How to pray the Rosary The Rosary is a special prayer that helps us think about the important moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary. It’s like a string of beads that we use to keep track of our prayers. Each bead is a step that brings us closer to God. In this worksheet, you will learn how to pray the Rosary step by step. It shows you which prayers to say and when to say them.

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The Annunciation of the Lord The Annunciation of the Lord is a special event in the life of Mary and in the history of the Christian faith.

It happened in Nazareth, where a young woman named Mary lived. One day, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” Mary was surprised and a little afraid, but Gabriel told her not to be afraid. Gabriel said she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. Even though Mary was a virgin, she would conceive a child through the power of the Holy Spirit. This child would be holy and called the Son of God. Mary asked Gabriel how this could happen since she was not married. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her.

He also told her about her relative Elizabeth, who was old and thought to be unable to have children, but was now six months pregnant because nothing is impossible with God. Mary listened carefully and, with great faith and humility, she said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

With this, Mary accepted God’s plan, and the angel departed. This moment marked the beginning of Jesus’s life on earth, and Mary’s “yes” made her the mother of Jesus, playing a vital role in God’s plan for salvation.

1. Where did the Annunciation take place? .......................................................................................................

2. Who appeared to Mary to deliver God’s message? .....................................................................................

3. What greeting did the angel Gabriel use when he appeared to Mary? ...................................................

4. What was Mary’s initial reaction when she saw the angel Gabriel? ........................................................

5. How did Gabriel say Mary would conceive Jesus? ......................................................................................

6. Reflective: Why do you think Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus? ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................

7. Reflective: How do you think Mary felt when Gabriel told her she would be the mother of Jesus? ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................

8. Reflective: How can we show the same faith and obedience in our lives as Mary did? ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................

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The Annunciation of the Lord Maze The Annunciation of the Lord is a special moment when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of Jesus. This event marks the beginning of Jesus’ life on Earth and is a very important story in the Catholic faith. In this maze, help the Angel Gabriel find his way to Mary to deliver the joyful news. Can you guide the angel through the maze to reach Mary? Have fun and remember the importance of this special visit!

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Exploring Mary’s Different Titles Mary holds a very special place in the Catholic faith as the mother of Jesus and an important figure of devotion. This activity will help you learn more about the various names given to Mary, both in English and in Latin or Greek. Each name highlights a different aspect of Mary’s significance and role in our faith. Your task is to draw a line, matching the Latin or Greek names with their English names. Read each name carefully and find the best match.

1. Mary Mother of God

Sedes Sapientiae

2. Virgin Mary

Regina Caeli

3. Our Lady of Guadalupe

Immaculata Conceptio

4. Our Lady of Lourdes

Nostra Domina de Guadalupe

5. Queen of Heaven

Theotokos

6. Mother of the Church

Nostra Domina de Lourdes

7. Sorrowful Mother

Stella Maris

8. Immaculate Conception

Virgo Maria

9. Seat of Wisdom

Mater Ecclesiae

10. Star of the Sea

Mater Dolorosa

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a famous and beloved image of Mary holding the baby Jesus. In this icon, Mary is shown comforting Jesus while angels hold the instruments of his future suffering. This icon reminds us that Mary is always there to help and comfort us, just like she did for Jesus. Look closely at the icon and notice all the special details. Then, use your favorite colours to bring this beautiful image to life! Have fun and think about how Mary and Jesus are always there to help and support you. They love you very much.

Greek initials for “Mother of God”.

Greek initials for St. Michael the Archangel - he is shown holding the lance and gall-sop of Christ’s Passion.

Greek initials for St. Gabriel the Archangel.

He holds the Cross and the nails.

Mary’s mouth is small to show her quiet and thoughtful nature. She speaks little and listens a lot.

Greek initial for “Jesus Christ”.

The star on Mary’s veil shows that she is lika a bright star guiding us. She brought Jesus, the light of the world to us and helps lead us safely to heaven.

Mary’s left hand is holding Jesus close because she is His mother. It’s a comforting hand for everyone who asks for her help.

The foot with the falling sandal shows Jesus’ divine nature, barely touching the earth. The other foot, with the sandal firmly on, shows His human nature. Jesus is both fully God and fully human in one person.

Christ’s hands are turned palms down into His mother’s, showing that the grace of redemption is in her care.

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Mary, Our Lady Crossword Puzzle In this crossword puzzle, you will learn more about Mary, Our Lady, by solving clues related to her life and significance in the Catholic faith. Each clue will help you fill in the puzzle with words that are important in understanding Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus and her special place in our hearts. Have fun discovering new things about Mary as you complete the puzzle!

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4. A prayer object associated with Mary

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5. Place where Mary gave birth to Jesus 9. The event where the Angel told Mary she would be

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Down 1. Angel who visited Mary 2. Mother of Jesus 3. Prayer dedicated to Mary “_ _ _ _ Mary”

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6. Mary’s song of praise 7. Town where Mary lived 8. Feast celebrating Mary’s ascent to Heaven

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Colour Your own Rosary Beads The Rosary is a special prayer that helps us think about the important moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary. It’s like a string of beads that we use to keep track of our prayers. Each bead is a step that brings us closer to God. Rosary beads are really special. Use this worksheet to colour in what you would want your beads to look like.

Be creative and make them as beautiful as you can!

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Word Search: The Hail Mary In this word search, you’ll find words from the Hail Mary prayer. The Hail Mary is a beautiful prayer that asks for Mary’s intercession and reminds us of her special role as the mother of Jesus. Look for the 15 words hidden in the puzzle. Have fun and remember the special meaning of each word as you find it!

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Colour your own Stained Glass Window Mary is the mother of Jesus and a very special figure in the Catholic faith. She is known for her great faith, humility, and obedience to God’s will. Mary’s love and devotion to God serve as an inspiration to many. In the image below, you will see a stained glass window of Mary. You can colour in the image and create your own beautiful Mary window. Use your favorite colours to bring this picture to life and reflect on Mary’s important role in our faith as you colour.

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Quiz on Mary, Our Lady Welcome to the quiz about Mary, Our Lady! Mary holds a very special place in the Catholic faith as the mother of Jesus and an important figure of devotion. This quiz will help you learn more about her life, her significance, and the special prayers and titles dedicated to her. Each question will give you a chance to deepen your understanding of Mary and her role in our faith. Read each question carefully and choose the best answer.

1. Who is Mary in the Catholic faith?

A. The Mother of Jesus B. The sister of Jesus C. The cousin of Jesus

2. What is the special prayer dedicated to Mary called?

A. The Our Father B. The Hail Mary C. The Glory Be

3. Where was Mary when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her?

A. In a temple B. In a field C. In her home in Nazareth

4. What did the Angel Gabriel tell Mary?

A. That she would be the mother of Jesus B. That she would find a treasure C. That she would move to a new city

5. Which title is often given to Mary because she is the mother of Jesus?

A. Queen of Angels B. Mother of God C. Lady of Light

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6. What is the name of the prayer where Catholics ask for Mary’s intercession?

A. The Rosary B. The Nicene Creed C. The Apostles Creed

7. Which of the following is a feast day dedicated to Mary?

A. Christmas B. The Assumption C. Pentecost

8. What does the term “Immaculate Conception” refer to?

A. Mary being free from original sin from the moment of her conception B. Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit C. Mary’s appearance to the shepherds

9. Who did Mary visit after learning she was going to be the mother of Jesus?

A. Her cousin Elizabeth B. Her friend Martha C. Her neighbor Anna

10. What is the event called when Mary was taken up to heaven?

A. The Resurrection B. The Ascension C. The Assumption

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