# Day 3 of the Novena to the Immaculate Conception: Mary, Virgin and Mother
*2008-11-30*

> Bill Young leads the third day of the novena to the Immaculate Conception, praying the Creed, reflecting on the Gospel of Matthew, and meditating on Mary’s virginity, maternity, and spousal relationship with God.

## Opening Prayer and Creed

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. 

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, without end. Amen.

We pray the Apostles’ Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; he will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

## Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18‑25

From the Gospel according to Matthew, we hear how Jesus came to be born. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, a righteous man, resolved to divorce her quietly to spare her disgrace. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophets: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which means God with us.”

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel commanded, took Mary as his wife, and had no marital relations with her until she gave birth. He named the child Jesus.

## Meditation on Mary: Virgin, Mother, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit

In Mary we encounter three complementary dimensions of her vocation:

**Virginity** – Her heart was so filled with love for God that she could give herself completely to Him, remaining a virgin even while embracing motherhood. This virginity is not sterility but the highest expression of active participation in God’s plan.

**Maternity** – By giving herself totally to God, Mary’s motherhood extends beyond her own son to all humanity. From Bethlehem to Nazareth, her maternal love is manifested in the Church, a motherhood that endures forever.

**Spousal Life** – Mary remained the faithful spouse of St. Joseph, the guardian of the Holy Family, and also the spouse of the Holy Spirit, who used her to bring the Word into the world. As the image of the Church, her cooperation with God shows the path for Christian married couples: united to one another, open to life, love, and the action of God.

## Prayer of the Novena

Let us pause in silence, then pray:

O Holy Mother of God, who, by accepting the angel’s message, conceived the Word, gave consent by faith, and bore Him in flesh, we entrust ourselves to your intercession. Hear the prayers of all who, exiled on the journey of life, seek refuge in you with unwavering hope. Grant them salvation and present them to our Lord Jesus.

*Mary’s total self‑gift—her virginity, motherhood, and spousal fidelity—models how we are called to cooperate fully with God’s will.*