Mother Mary

To start, play a game of Mary Says, which is just like Simon Says but with the phrase “Mary says…” instead. Begin with simple commands like “Mary says, touch your nose” or “Mary says, clap three times.” Mix it up by occasionally leaving out “Mary says” to see if anyone follows the command when they shouldn’t. Keep the game lighthearted and fun, allowing everyone to laugh and enjoy the challenge.

Now, let’s think about this game for a moment. Just like in Mary Says, we often have people in our lives—like our parents, friends, and teachers—who guide us by telling us what to do. And if we’re honest, sometimes we don’t always listen, even when their advice is helpful! Have you ever had a moment where you knew someone was giving you good advice, but it was hard to follow? Or maybe you thought you knew better? We all have those moments, but sometimes listening to the right voices can lead us in the best direction.

Let’s take it a step further. If your mom, dad, or someone close to you asks you to do something, they’re usually thinking about what’s best for you. This is the same kind of guidance that Mother Mary offers us. Mary cares deeply about each of us, just as she cared for Jesus. She wants to help us do what’s right and bring us closer to Jesus. Just like in Mary Says, listening to her voice is a way of learning to trust and to follow. And in the Bible, we see that Jesus, too, listened to his mother when she spoke, even though he was the Son of God.

So, just like we might listen to a friend or family member when they pray for us, we can also ask our Blessed Mother Mary to pray for us and to bring our needs to Jesus. Think of Mary as a caring mother who’s always ready to bring our requests to Jesus and support us in doing what he asks.

This is called intercessory prayer—when one person prays on behalf of another. We can turn to Mary and ask her to intercede for us because she is our spiritual mother, and she wants to help us grow closer to her Son. Today, we’re going to talk more about why we ask Mother Mary for her help and her prayers, and how she brings us closer to Jesus through her intercession.

Read the Gospel:

John 2:1-11 (The Wedding at Cana) – the Gospel Reading for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.

When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “”They have no wine.””

And Jesus said to her, “”Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.””

His mother said to the servers, “”Do whatever he tells you.””

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “”Fill the jars with water.”” So they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “”Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”” So they took it.

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from – although the servers who had drawn the water knew -, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “”Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.””

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

John 2:1-11

We don’t have many details recorded about the daily life between Jesus and his mother, Mary. Most of the time before Jesus started his public ministry is a mystery to us. We don’t see Jesus at home in Nazareth, taking out the trash, helping get ready for dinner, or listening to his parents ask him to come home on time. We don’t hear their conversations, their jokes, or their private family moments. But even though we don’t have those details, we can be sure that Jesus had a close, loving relationship with his parents, just as you do.

The story of the Wedding at Cana in the Gospel of John gives us a little glimpse into the relationship between Jesus and Mother Mary. It’s one of the few times in the Gospels where we see them interact directly. Jesus, Mary, and the disciples are at a wedding celebration when the hosts run out of wine. In those days, this would have been very embarrassing for the family hosting the event. Weddings were big celebrations that could last for days, and running out of wine would mean the family wasn’t fully prepared, which would have looked bad in front of their guests.

When Mary notices the problem, she goes to Jesus right away and points it out. It’s clear from her words that she expects him to do something about it. She is interceding for the hosts, asking Jesus to help them out in their time of need. There’s no hesitation in her request. She’s not afraid to go to Jesus with her concern. This simple moment shows us a lot about Mary’s relationship with her son and her deep faith in him. She knows who Jesus is and believes he can do something about the situation.

When Jesus responds to her, he seems hesitant, even saying, “My hour has not yet come.” There are many possible interpretations of his response, and some are more complex than others. But the important thing to notice here is that Jesus doesn’t say no. In the end, he decides to honor his mother’s request and help the wedding hosts. This ends up being Jesus’ first public miracle—just because his mom asked!

This shows us something about Mother Mary’s role as an intercessor. Mary’s request leads Jesus to act. Her intercession has power, not because she has power on her own, but because of her special relationship with Jesus. He listens to her, even when he seems hesitant. Her faith in him moves him to take action. It’s an amazing reminder that Mother Mary’s prayers have real impact. She brings our needs to Jesus, and he hears her, just as he did that day at the wedding.

Mary’s role in the story doesn’t end there. After she tells Jesus about the lack of wine, she speaks to the servants and tells them, “Do whatever he tells you.” She knows that Jesus will need the servants’ cooperation, and she expects them to respect his authority. Mary’s instructions to the servants remind us that following Jesus requires action on our part. Mary intercedes, but the people involved still have to listen to Jesus and obey him for the miracle to happen.

Imagine this scene: Jesus tells the servants to fill large jars with water. The servants could have easily questioned this instruction, thinking it was a waste of time. Maybe they had other tasks to take care of for the wedding and didn’t feel like carrying water to fill the heavy jars. They could have made excuses, saying, “We don’t have time,” or “This doesn’t make sense.” But they don’t. They listen to Mary’s advice, do what Jesus tells them, and the water turns into wine—the best wine anyone has tasted that day.

Mary’s words to the servants—“Do whatever he tells you”—are words for us, too. Just as she trusted Jesus at the wedding, she encourages us to trust him in our own lives. She shows us that when we bring our needs to Jesus, he hears us. But we also have to be ready to do what he asks, even if we don’t fully understand. We might pray and ask for his help with something in our lives, but if we aren’t willing to follow his guidance, we might miss the blessing he has in store for us.

Mother Mary still intercedes for us today, bringing our needs to Jesus just as she did at Cana. But she also wants us to listen to Jesus and follow him. Like the servants, we need to be willing to act and obey, trusting that Jesus will work in our lives in ways we might not expect.

Facilitators, encourage participants to share openly in their small groups. Invite everyone to listen with respect and to reflect on how Mother Mary’s story might connect with their own lives. These questions are designed to help each person think about Mary’s example of faith and her role in guiding us toward Jesus. Allow time for each question and encourage group members to explore their thoughts freely.

• How do you think Mary’s relationship with Jesus was different from other parents and children?
• Why do you think Mary trusted Jesus to help with the wine at Cana, even when he seemed hesitant?
• How might Mary’s advice, “Do whatever he tells you,” apply to our lives today?
• What can we learn from Mary’s example of noticing the needs of others, like she did at the wedding?
• How does it make you feel to know that Mary intercedes for us with Jesus?
• What are some times in your life when you might need Mary’s help or example to follow Jesus?
• How does Mary’s “yes” to God inspire us to be open to God’s plans in our own lives?
• What does Mary’s role as our spiritual mother mean to you personally?
• How might the story of Cana change the way you approach prayer or asking for help?
• What other stories or examples from Mary’s life can encourage us to grow in faith and trust in Jesus?

This week, take a moment to think of something important you want to pray for—maybe it’s a situation in your life, a worry, or something you need help with. Start by bringing it to God in your own words. Share what’s on your heart with Jesus. But don’t stop there. Ask Mother Mary to join you in this prayer. Just as she brought the needs of the wedding hosts to Jesus at Cana, ask her to talk to Jesus about your need too. Remember, Mary cares about your concerns and wants to help. She knows that Jesus can do great things, and her prayers can help bring you closer to him.

After you’ve prayed, imagine Mary saying to you, “Do whatever he tells you.” This means staying open to whatever Jesus might ask of you in response to your prayer. Be willing to listen for his voice and look for signs of how he may want you to act. Maybe he’s asking you to reach out to someone, change something in your daily life, or make time for him in a new way. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you hear his voice clearly and give you the courage to follow it. Trust that Jesus, with Mother Mary’s help, is working in your life, guiding you closer to him.

Let’s close in prayer, asking for Mother Mary’s intercession and guidance as we work to grow closer to Jesus. Begin by bringing to mind something you need help with, a challenge, or a special intention on your heart. Offer it up to Jesus, but also ask Mary, his mother, to join in your prayer, bringing your needs to her Son.

Mother Mary, we thank you for your example of trust and faith. We ask you to be with us and pray for us, bringing our needs to Jesus just as you did at Cana. Help us to follow your advice to “do whatever he tells you.” Teach us to trust Jesus more each day and to listen to his voice in our lives.

Now, let’s bring our petitions to Jesus through Mary. For peace in our hearts and guidance in our daily lives, we pray. For help with any struggles, worries, or choices we’re facing, we ask you to intercede for us. For those we know who are suffering or in need, please bring them comfort. Help us to grow in faith, courage, and love, and to follow Jesus in all things.

Let’s now join in praying the Memorare together:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

A printable copy of the Memorare is available here.

Themes for the Mother Mary Lesson Plan

• Mary’s Role as Mother: Mother Mary is Jesus’ mother, but she is also our spiritual mother. She cares for us and intercedes for us just as she did for Jesus at Cana. Her motherhood unites us to her and to Jesus.
• Mary as Intercessor: Mother Mary brings our needs to Jesus, just as she did at the wedding at Cana. She is close to Jesus’ heart and helps us with her prayers. We can ask her to pray for us in our own struggles.
• Mary’s Faith and Trust: Mother Mary trusted God’s plan for her life completely, from the Annunciation to the Cross. Her example shows us how to have faith even when we don’t understand everything. We can ask her to help us grow in trust and faith.
• Mary’s Humility and Obedience: Mother Mary accepted God’s will with humility and obedience. She didn’t seek fame or glory but focused on following God’s will. We can look to her to learn how to be humble and obedient to God.
• Mary Points to Jesus: Mother Mary always leads us to Jesus. She tells us to “Do whatever he tells you,” encouraging us to follow him. She helps us grow closer to him and do his will in our lives.
• Mary as Queen Mother: As the mother of the King of Kings, Mother Mary holds a special place in Heaven. Her role as Queen Mother means she is close to Jesus and has a powerful influence. She uses this position to help and care for us.
• Mary’s Courage and Strength: Mother Mary showed courage, especially at the foot of the Cross. She endured suffering but remained faithful to Jesus. Her strength encourages us to stay close to Jesus even when life is hard.
• Mary’s Purity and Holiness: Mother Mary was pure and free from sin, dedicated to God from the beginning. Her holiness is an example for us to live in purity and stay close to God. We can ask her to help us live holy lives.
• Mary’s Love for All People: Mother Mary loves each of us as her own child. She cares for us deeply and wants us to know and love Jesus. Her love teaches us to care for others and to help them grow closer to Jesus.
• Mary’s Example of Prayer: Mother Mary shows us how to pray and stay connected to God. Her life was centered on God, and she prayed constantly. She inspires us to make prayer an important part of our own lives.
• Mary’s Role in Salvation: Mother Mary’s “yes” to God brought Jesus into the world, opening the way for our salvation. Her role was essential in God’s plan to save us. She reminds us that our own “yes” to God matters too.

Background Material for the Mother Mary Lesson Plan

For more background material before presenting this lesson plan, see The Virgin Mary – Our Blessed Mother. It goes more in depth on the role of Mary in Catholic theology.

Mother Mary is central to Catholic teaching because she played a key role in God’s plan for our salvation. From the moment she said “yes” to God at the Annunciation, Mary became the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God (Theotokos), and our spiritual mother. Her faith, obedience, and love make her an important example for all Catholics. Mary’s role is unique because she was chosen by God to bring Jesus into the world. Catholics honor her as the first disciple of Jesus and as a model of holiness.

One important Catholic teaching about Mother Mary is her role as intercessor. At the Wedding at Cana, she noticed the needs of others and asked Jesus to help, resulting in his first miracle. This shows that Mary not only cared for people’s needs but also used her close relationship with Jesus to help them.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains Mary’s role as an intercessor: “This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. ” (CCC 969). Catholics believe that, just as she interceded at Cana, Mother Mary continues to pray for us and bring our needs to Jesus.

Catholic teaching also emphasizes Mary’s special holiness. From the moment of her conception, God preserved Mary from original sin. This is called the Immaculate Conception. The Angel Gabriel, in Luke 1:28, called her “full of grace,” showing her unique purity and holiness. Mary lived her whole life in close union with God, serving as a pure vessel to carry and raise Jesus. Her Immaculate Conception is a sign of her total dedication to God. Catholics honor Mary as the “new Eve” because, unlike Eve who disobeyed God, Mary obeyed God and accepted his plan with faith.

In addition, Mother Mary is known as the Queen of Heaven. This idea comes from the Old Testament tradition of the “Queen Mother,” who was the mother of the king and held a special place of honor and influence. Since Jesus is the King of Kings, Mary holds this royal role. Revelation 12 describes “a woman clothed with the sun” crowned with stars, which Catholics understand as a symbol of Mother Mary’s role as Queen of Heaven. Her queenship is not about power, but about love and care for her children. She uses her place in Heaven to intercede for us and guide us toward Jesus.

Another key teaching about Mother Mary is her example of faith and obedience. When the angel told her she would become the Mother of God, she accepted even though she didn’t fully understand. Her response, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), shows her trust in God. Her example teaches us to trust God and to follow his will, even when it’s hard. Catholics look to Mary as the model of true discipleship because she followed Jesus from his birth to his death on the cross.

Mother Mary also teaches us how to pray. The Gospels show that Mary kept things and “pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). Catholics see her as a person of deep prayer and contemplation, who listened to God. Her example encourages us to make prayer a central part of our lives.

Mother Mary’s unique role, her holiness, her intercession, and her faith make her a powerful role model for Catholics. Her example and her prayers help bring us closer to Jesus, deepening our own faith and love for him.

Music Suggestions for the Mother Mary Lesson Plan

• Memorare by Danielle Rose
• The Memorare by Lorraine Hess
• Hail Mary / Gentle Woman by Daughters of St. Paul

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

For more free lesson plans and reflections, visit our page Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections. Teachers, youth ministers, and catechists will find many resources to help guide young people in their faith. Our site offers lessons on topics like prayer, sacraments, saints, and more. Each plan is designed to engage youth and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith. Explore the collection to find ideas and tools for your next youth ministry session or religious education class.