# Eighth Day Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
*2015-12-07*

> Bill Young leads the eighth day of the novena to the Immaculate Conception, praying the Creed, reflecting on the wedding at Cana, and offering a meditation on Mary’s role as Mediatrix of all graces.

## Opening Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Oh God, come to my aid. O Lord, make haste to help me. Lord, be with us. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

## The Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to hell, and on the third day rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits 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: The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1‑11)

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had been invited. When the wine ran out, Mary said to Jesus, “They have no wine.” Jesus replied, “Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour has not yet come.” Mary then said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
There were six stone water jars, each holding twenty to thirty gallons, used for Jewish purification rites. Jesus told the servants to fill the jars with water, and they filled them to the brim. He then said, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.”
When the master of the feast tasted the water that had become wine, he was amazed, not knowing where it had come from, though the servants who drew the water did. He called the bridegroom and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first and the inferior wine later, but you have kept the best wine until now.”
This was the first of Jesus’ signs, performed at Cana, where he revealed his glory and his disciples believed in him.
Grant us salvation, O Virgin Mary, through the passion of Christ, your Son. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

## Meditation on Mary as Mediatrix

The Immaculate Virgin was given a primary role by God: to bring others into encounter with Him. As Mother of Jesus, the spouse of the Church, Mary helps the Bridegroom and the Bride know each other, love each other, and become one. At Cana she assumed this role, guiding the first disciples to recognize Jesus as the Messiah through a prophetic sign.
Throughout Church history Mary has never ceased to fulfill this mission. God chose the Immaculate Virgin as the means of giving Himself to us in the Incarnate Word. Through her, He bestows the “grace of graces” that sustains us on our journey through this valley of tears. The river of grace flows to us through Mary, and we are called to respond by trusting her, cooperating with the Holy Spirit, and following her son, Jesus. By placing our trust in Mary’s care, we share in God’s glory and become the holy people God loves—compassionate, generous, gentle, and patient. We must bear with one another, forgive as the Lord has forgiven us, and clothe ourselves with perfect love.

## Closing Prayer

Lord, you who send forth light and let the sun shine on the righteous and the unjust, illuminate our hearts. Grant us this day the grace to act in a way that pleases you. Defend us from the arrows that fly by day and from all the powers of the enemy.
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, intercede for us as your power allows. O God, have mercy on us, save us, and may we give glory to you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

*May we trust Mary to lead us ever closer to Christ.*