Mary's assumption is an event that concerns us precisely because every human being is destined to die. But death is not the last word. It is the passage to eternal hapiness in store for those who toil for truth and justice and do their utmost to follow Christ.
Blessed John Paul II
Last Christmas, I got a lovely perpetual calendar in my stocking! :) I have enjoyed reading a little quote on Our Lady from the lives of the saints each day. This calendar sits on the window sill in my kitchen and is usually the first thing I meditate on in the morning while I hear the coffee percolating. ;)
Today's quote:
"We can't forget that Mary spent nearly every day of her life just like millions of other women who look after their families, bringing up their children and taking care of the house. Mary sanctifies the ordinary, everyday things--what some people wrongly regard as unimportant and insignificant: every day work, looking after those closest to you, visits to friends and relatives. What a blessed ordinariness, that can be so full of love of God!"--St. Josemaria Escriva
When I was a brand-new pregnant mommy for the very first time, I somehow came across a little blue prayer book called Mother's Manual. The blue-lined drawing of Our Lady on the cover seemed to fit the contents of this holy little book to a T. The prayers were old-fashioned, simple and heartfelt and within its' contents were prayers for any situation where a mother might find herself in need of some heavenly help. :)
That little blue book was packed in my overnight bag and taken to the hospital where I gave birth to my first-born, a sweet little baby boy, Will. He only lived for 20 hours and 12 minutes and for most of those 20 hours, I clung to my Rosary and the little blue book and prayed like I had never prayed before. My Lord knew I would need that little book when I was too tired to be able to focus on any prayer except Lord, Help My Baby! And when our little Will flew to heaven, I had my book of little prayers to comfort me and give me words when I had none.
This brings me to the present moment. Life changes (I hate change!) and I am getting older (but not wiser!). But, my little blue treasure still helps me. Tonight I picked it up as I was trying to focus my prayers. I am tired and weary and needed help to pray. So, this evening, I found my little blue book, cozied up on the sofa and opened to this lovely prayer to Mary. It spoke to my tired mother's heart. Surprisingly enough, I can't remember ever reading it before (though certainly I have!). The prayer is quaint and lovely and true. I hope it blesses.
Mary Help Me
Holy Queen , mother of mothers, consolation and protectress of all Christian motherhood, Mother Mary, help me.
In all trials and sorrows that come into my day, dear Mary, help me.
When I am tired with my labors and despondency is upon me, dear Mary, help me.
When all looks dark and I find none to speak a consoling or cheering word, dear Mary, help me.
When I am wearied by the weight of countless vexing things and my patience is sorely tried, dear Mary, help me.
In the impatience and rudeness of others, by the example of your mildness, dear Mary, help me.
When others speak sharply to me and I would speak harshly in return, that I may show the gentleness of your own kindly speech, dear Mary, help me.
When my efforts seem to bear so little fruit and to be so little appreciated and I am discouraged, dear Mary, help me.
When a thousand worrisome distractions and annoyances come into my day and it seems so hard to keep my peace of heart, dear Mary, help me.
When all others seem to fail, then especially with the sweet support of your gentle aid, dear Mary, help me.
In all things, Mother, assist me! That I may, like you, with patience turn all my trials into spiritual treasures; that I may grow ever more like you, the cherished queen of the most holy family, dear Mary, help me!
...on the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Today I read this most moving essay on the relationship between Our Heavenly Mother and our priests. Please go read it; it has profound insights and will encourage you to draw closer to the Mother of God while praying for our priests.
Mary, most Holy, whose heart was pierced by sorrow at the loss of Our Divine Savior, pray for us in our sorrows that they might lead to our salvation.
Amen.
My Mother used to say that the days of Advent were the days of building a golden stairway that would bring us to a star, the star of Bethlehem, that in turn would bring us straight to the Christ Child!
So now place yourself in Nazareth in Mary's time of waiting when nobody paid any attention to her. You may pay attention to her. You sweep for those who don't sweep the cobwebs and the dirt from their souls. Sweep in the Nazareth of the human minds and hearts. Prepare that inn eternally, every day, for the child to be born in, the child who was denied the inn in reality, and still is denied the inns of our hearts. Smaller and smaller is the group of people who believe, and still smaller those who believe and will lay their life down for him. Begin to lay your life down now in the exacting, disciplining, routine, monotonous, repetitious work of your day, cleaning or whatever.
Remember that your humble tasks, done well with great love for Christ, can lift the world! This is your strength. You can lift the communists, the one who hate, the ones who are indifferent. Do your work. Offer it up. Pray. Don't pray with words--pray with the work of your hands.
--Catherine Doherty, My Russian Yesterdays
Our family's homeschool group had a wonderful May Crowning and procession this past week. A lovely mom organized a beautiful day for us beginning with Holy Mass and then continuing with the Rosary and then topped off with yummy food (much of it blue to honor Our Lady) and a craft (May baskets for the moms, what a lovely surprise!). See the pictures below for a little peek into our beautiful day!
Our family's Mary Wall
The Most Important Person on earth is a mother.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Indeed, after a summer of sorrow, it is so very comforting to be able to nestle down in Mary's mantle and rest. She always leads me closer to her Son. Tonight, after we pray our family Rosary, we will recite the Stabat Mater. Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for Us!
The Stabat Mater At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed.
O how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother, highly blest,
of the sole-begotten One.
Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son.
Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?
By the Cross with thee to stay,
there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give.
For the sins of His own nation,
She saw Jesus wracked with torment,
All with scourges rent:
She beheld her tender Child,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.
Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother's pain untold?
O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.
Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified:
Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all my sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.
Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live:
Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine.
Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine;
Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned,
in His very Blood away;
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in His awful Judgment Day.
Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
by Thy Mother my defense,
by Thy Cross my victory;
When my body dies,
let my soul be granted
the glory of Paradise. Amen.
I have always thought that the statue of Our Lady of the Smile was so very beautiful. I think I may ask for it for my birthday this year. I have been reading a lot lately (trying to pass the time and keep my mind off the baby--D and C is scheduled for this Wednesday) and found a beautiful prayer to Our Lady under this title. I could retell the story about Our Lady and St. Therese but I'll let Peter Mullen do it instead. God bless you all today. Our Lady, pray for us. St. Therese, pray for us.
From Shrines of Our Lady by Peter Mullen
As a child, St. Therese had an encounter with Mary that forever changed the course of her life. When she was a young girl in France, she became quite ill. The doctor informed Therese's father that nothing more could be done for her.
Her family was no stranger to suffering. They had just lost their mother from breast cancer.
Her father arranged for Mass to be said for her healing at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Victories. He also moved into Therese's room a statue of the Blessed Virgin known as Our Lady of the Smile (a favorite of the Martin children who used to shower it with kisses)
On May 13, 1883, Therese recovered. She ascribed her healing to the presence of the statue:
"Suddenly, I have never seen anything so attractive. Her face was alive with great kindness and tenderness and she smiled a most ravishing smile. At once all my pain left me and I cried two large tears which slid down silently down my cheeks. Yes! I thought, the virgin has smiled on me. How Blessed I am!"
Her sister Marie was there at the time, and much later at the hearings for Therese's beatification, she testified to what had happened when saw Therese in ecstasy. "I knew at once she was looking at no mere statue but that she saw the Blessed Virgin herself. It lasted about five minutes. I knew she would be cured."
In 1895 Therese developed tuberculosis in both lungs. She suffered terrible hemorrhages and had to be taken from her cell to the infirmary. The statue of Our Lady of the Smile was placed at the foot of her bed.
On 30 September 1897 Therese lay dying when suddenly she raised her head from her pillow and gazed in ecstasy at the statue. After a few minutes she sighed, fell back on to the bed and died. Her sister Marie was with her. Later she reported, "Her stare was held fixed a little above the statue and I saw again that look on her face she first displayed as a child --- all love and adoration --- when the Blessed Virgin had healed her. It is impossible to describe, except to say it was something heavenly"
Prayer to Our Lady of the Smile
Gentle Mary, My Mother,
I place before you the worries,
hurts and hopes of my heart.
They shrink my soul and I feel heavy and hopeless.
Darkness closes in around me.
I reach out to you, bright Lady of Hope.
Smile on me.
Smile on my loved ones and the intentions I place before you.
(Mention your intentions here...)
Your tender smile works miracles and heals,
as you did with St. Thérèse, the Little Flower.
You are my true Mother.
You show the tender mercy of God.
Smile on me, Blessed Mother,
and all will be well.
Amen.
Recent Comments