Our Lady, The Sure Path to Her Son: Saturday, August 8, 2015

J.M.J. "165. Rest assured that the more you turn to Mary in your prayers, meditations, actions and sufferings, seeing her if not perhaps clearly and distinctly, at least in a general and indistinct way, the more surely you will discover Jesus. For he is always greater, more powerful, more active, and more mysterious when acting through Mary than he is in any other creature in the universe, or even in heaven. Thus Mary, so divinely-favored and so lost in God, is far from being an obstacle to good people who are striving for union with him. There has never been and there never will be a creature so ready to help us in achieving that union more effectively, for she will dispense to us all the graces to attain that end. As a saint once remarked, 'Only Mary knows how to fill our minds with the thought of God.' Moreover, Mary will safeguard us against the deception and cunning of the evil one.

"166. Where Mary is present, the evil one is absent. One of the unmistakable signs that a person is led by the Spirit of God is the devotion he has to Mary, and his habit of thinking and speaking of her. This is the opinion of a saint, who goes on to say that just as breathing is a proof that the body is not dead, so the habitual thought of Mary and loving converse with her is a proof that the soul is not spiritually dead in sin." 

--Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, 165-166.

Saint John Paul II Explains Our Lady's Virginity after the Birth of Her Divine Son: First Friday, August 7, 2015

J.M.J. "According to some, Mary's virginity after the Birth is denied by the Gospel texts which record the existence of four 'brothers of Jesus': James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (Mt 13:55-56; Mk 6:3), and of several sisters.

"It should be recalled that no specific term exists in Hebrew and Aramaic to express the word 'cousin', and that the terms 'brother' and 'sister', therefore had a far broader meaning which included several degrees of relationship. In fact, the phrase 'brothers of Jesus' indicates 'the children' of a Mary who was a disciple of Christ (cf. Mt 27:56) and who is significantly described as 'the other Mary' (Mt 28:1). 'They are close relations of Jesus, according to an Old Testament expression' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 500).

"Mary Most Holy is thus the 'Ever Virgin'. Her prerogative is the consequence of her Divine Motherhood which totally consecrated her to Christ's mission of redemption."

--Saint John Paul II, Wednesday General Audience, August 28, 1996.

                   

The Transfiguration of Mary's Son:Thursday, August 6, 2015

J.M.J. "The mystery of light par excellence is the Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have taken place on Mount Tabor. The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to “listen to Him” (cf. Lk 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with Him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with Him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit."

--Saint John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (October 16, 2002), 21.

 

Our Lady's Basilica in Rome: Wednesday, August 5, 2015

J.M.J. On this the Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, let us hear about that great church from the Website of the Basilica.

"The Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major reigns as an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman churches. Its beautiful treasures are of inestimable value, and represent the Church's role as the cradle of Christian artistic civilization in Rome. For nearly sixteen centuries, St. Mary Major has held its position as a Marian shrine par excellence and has been a magnet for pilgrims from all over the world who have come to the Eternal City to experience the beauty, grandeur and holiness of the basilica.

"Among the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome, St. Mary Major is the only one to have kept its original structure, though it has been enhanced over the course of years. Special details within the church render it unique including the fifth century mosaics of the central nave, the triumphal arch dating back to the pontificate of Pope Sixtus III (432-440) and the apsidal mosaic executed by the Franciscan friar Jacopo Torriti at the order of Pope Nicholas IV (1288-1292). Other gems of the church include the Cosmatesque pavement donated by the Roman nobleman Scoto Paparone and his son in 1288, Arnolfo di Cambio's Nativity scene from the thirteenth century and the coffered ceiling in gilt wood designed by Giuliano Sangallo in 1450. The numerous chapels, from the most ornate to the most humble, constructed by popes, cardinals and pious confraternities, the high altar begun by Ferdinando Fuga and later enriched by the genius of Valadier, the Baptistery and finally the relic of the Holy Crib complete the array of splendors contained within these walls. Every column, painting, sculpture and ornament of this basilica resonates with history and pious sentiment.

"From the devout pilgrim absorbed in prayer to the studious art-lover, every visitor to St. Mary Major finds both spiritual and visual fulfillment in this holy place. A visit to the Liberian basilica, as it is also called in honor of Pope Liberius, enriches both the mind and soul. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see visitors rapt in admiration before the spellbinding beauty of the artwork nor, at the same time, to observe the devotion of all those engrossed in prayer in search of comfort and assistance before the image of Mary, who is venerated here under the beloved title of Salus Populi Romani.

"Every August 5th, a solemn celebration recalls the Miracle of the Snows. Before the amazed eyes of the congregation, a cascade of white petals descends from the coffered ceiling, blanketing the hypogeum. From the very beginning of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II requested that an oil lamp burn day and night under the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, as witness to his great devotion to the Madonna.

"This same Pope, on the eighth of December 2001, inaugurated another precious jewel of the basilica--the museum, where a modern structure would house ancient masterpieces offering visitors a unique perspective of the history of the Basilica.

"The numerous treasures contained in the museum render St. Mary Major a place where art and spirituality combine in a perfect union, offering visitors a unique experience in contemplating the great works of man inspired by God."

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"A theme dear to Pope Leo XIII was that Mary is the Mother of all people, and that God has implanted the germ of love for her in every heart, even in those who hate her or do not know her. This germ is meant to grow, and like any capacity it can be fostered by giving it proper conditions. Souls must be approached and informed as to the maternal role of Mary."

--The Servant of God Frank Duff, The Official Handbook of the Legion of Mary, 306.

Mary's Concern for Us: Tuesday, August 4, 2015

J.M.J. We look to today's Saint, John Mary Vianney, Priest (1786-1859), for insight into Our Lady. This is from his Catechetical Instructions.

"The Father takes pleasure in looking upon the Heart of the most Holy Virgin Mary, as the masterpiece of His hands; for we always like our own work, especially when it is well done. The Son takes pleasure in it as the Heart of His Mother, the source from which He drew the Blood that has ransomed us; the Holy Ghost as His temple. The Prophets published the glory of Mary before her birth; they compared her to the sun. Indeed, the apparition of the Holy Virgin may well be compared to a beautiful gleam of sun on a foggy day.

"Before her coming, the anger of God was hanging over our heads like a sword ready to strike us. As soon as the Holy Virgin appeared upon the earth, His anger was appeased. . . . She did not know that she was to be the Mother of God, and when she was a little child she used to say, 'When shall I then see that beautiful creature who is to be the Mother of God?' The Holy Virgin has brought us forth twice, in the Incarnation and at the foot of the Cross; she is then doubly our Mother. The Holy Virgin is often compared to a mother, but she is much better still than the best of mothers; for the best of mothers sometimes punishes her child when it displeases her, and even beats it: she thinks she is doing right. But the Holy Virgin does not so; she is so good that she treats us with love, and never punishes us.

"The Heart of this good Mother is all love and mercy; she desires only to see us happy. We have only to turn to her to be heard. The Son has His justice, the Mother has nothing but her love. God has loved us so much as to die for us; but in the heart of Our Lord there is justice, which is an attribute of God; in that of the most Holy Virgin there is nothing but mercy. Her Son being ready to punish a sinner, Mary interposes, checks the sword, implores pardon for the poor criminal. 'Mother,' Our Lord says to her, 'I can refuse you nothing. If Hell could repent, you would obtain its pardon.'

"The most Holy Virgin places herself between her Son and us. The greater sinners we are, the more tenderness and compassion does she feel for us. The child that has cost its mother most tears is the dearest to her Heart. Does not a mother always run to the help of the weakest and the most exposed to danger? Is not a physician in the hospital most attentive to those who are most seriously ill? The Heart of Mary is so tender towards us, that those of all the mothers in the world put together are like a piece of ice in comparison to hers. See how good the Holy Virgin is! Her great servant St. Bernard used often to say to her, 'I salute thee, Mary.' One day this good Mother answered him, 'I salute thee, my son Bernard.'

"The Ave Maria is a prayer that is never wearisome. The devotion to the Holy Virgin is delicious, sweet, nourishing. When we talk on earthly subjects or politics, we grow weary; but when we talk of the Holy Virgin, it is always new. All the Saints have a great devotion to Our Lady; no grace comes from Heaven without passing through her hands. We cannot go into a house without speaking to the porter; well, the Holy Virgin is the portress of Heaven.

"When we have to offer anything to a great personage, we get it presented by the person he likes best, in order that the homage may be agreeable to him. So our prayers have quite a different sort of merit when they are presented by the Blessed Virgin, because she is the only creature who has never offended God. The Blessed Virgin alone has fulfilled the first Commandment--to adore God only, and love Him perfectly. She fulfilled it completely.

"All that the Son asks of the Father is granted Him. All that the Mother asks of the Son is in like manner granted to her. When we have handled something fragrant, our hands perfume whatever they touch: let our prayers pass through the hands of the Holy Virgin; she will perfume them. I think that at the end of the world the Blessed Virgin will be very tranquil; but while the world lasts, we drag her in all directions. . . . The Holy Virgin is like a mother who has a great many children--she is continually occupied in going from one to the other."

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Thanks to the Reverend Martin Lawrence, I saw this post on the Blog called "Aspicientes in Jesum." 

Please do not miss this:

http://valleadurni.blogspot.com/2015/02/conchita.html 

The Way to Jesus? Always Mary!: Monday, August 3, 2015

J.M.J. "158. Show me a new road to our Lord, pave it with all the merits of the Saints, adorn it with their heroic virtues, illuminate and enhance it with the splendor and beauty of the angels, have all the Angels and Saints there to guide and protect those who wish to follow it. Give me such a road and truly, truly, I boldly say--and I am telling the truth--that instead of this road, perfect though it be, I would still choose the immaculate way of Mary. It is a way, a road without stain or spot, without original sin or actual sin, without shadow or darkness. When our loving Jesus comes in glory once again to reign upon earth--as He certainly will--He will choose no other way than the Blessed Virgin, by whom He came so surely and so perfectly the first time. The difference between His first and His second coming is that the first was secret and hidden, but the second will be glorious and resplendent. Both are perfect because both are through Mary. Alas, this is a mystery which we cannot understand, 'Here let every tongue be silent.'"

--Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, 158.

Our Lord's Obedience to His Mother: Sunday, August 2, 2015

J.M.J. "156. Why do you think our Lord spent only a few years here on earth and nearly all of them in submission and obedience to His Mother? The reason is that 'attaining perfection in a short time, He lived a long time', even longer than Adam, whose losses He had come to make good. Yet Adam lived more than nine hundred years!

"Jesus lived a long time, because He lived in complete submission to His Mother and in union with her, which obedience to His Father required. The Holy Spirit tells us that the man who honors his mother is like a man who stores up a treasure. In other words, the man who honors Mary, his Mother, to the extent of subjecting himself to her and obeying her in all things will soon become very rich, because he is amassing riches every day through Mary who has become his secret philosopher's stone.

"There is another quotation from Holy Scripture, 'My old age will be found in the mercy of the bosom'. According to the mystical interpretation of these words it is in the bosom of Mary that people who are young grow mature in enlightenment, in holiness, in experience and in wisdom, and in a short time reach the fullness of the age of Christ. For it was Mary's womb which encompassed and produced a perfect Man. That same womb held the One Whom the whole universe can neither encompass nor contain." 

--Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, 156.