The place of Mary mother of Jesus in our school

The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ has a special place in our school.  She is the patroness of all Loreto schools all over the world as well as the entire Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary - LORETO. 

In Loreto Convent Mombasa, we honor her by praying the Holy Rosary every Tuesday Morning.  Different group of pupils led by Mr. Vincent Onyango take turns in leading the Rosary every Tuesday by using the school main intercom that is heard in every classroom.  Teachers also take turns in leading the Rosary at least once per term.  During the months of the Rosary, that in is May and October it is recited every day in the small chapel upstairs. 

Those who are familiar with the prayer of the Rosary know very well that this is one of the most powerful prayers we have in the Catholic Church.  It enables us to reflect on the life of Jesus from Infancy, through His Public ministry, Passion and Resurrection.  These in short are the events of the Gospel that form part of the Rosary prayer.  Thus there are four groups of “Mysteries”, that is, the Joyful, Sorrowful, Light and Glorious. 

The first part of the Hail Mary prayer is taken from the Greetings of the Angel Gabriel to Mary …:”Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee..” (Lk: 1:28) The second part of this prayer is the greetings of Elizabeth to Mary when she went to visit her; “You are the most Blessed of all women and blessed is the child you will bear”(Lk:1:42)  The third part which forms the response is prayer added by the Church asking for the intercession of Mary the Mother Jesus to pray for us to her Son whom we believe cannot refuse anything that His Mother asks of Him.  The full prayer then is as follows;

HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE THE LORD IS WITH YOU.  BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLEESED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB JESUS.

HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.  AMEN.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary continue to be present in every moment of our lives and school, guiding us closer to her Son Jesus day by day.

Sr. Gertrude Mallya, Ibvm