Month of Mary - 6th Day

 

The Story

In her childhood already St. Genevieve was devoted with all her heart to the ever blessed Virgin Mary. Her mother who disliked her frequent visits to the churches and much prayer, struck her in the face at one time, wherefore she (the mother) immediately became blind. But Genevieve praying most ardently for her, obtained after two days for her the faculty of sight. As a virgin Genevieve led a secluded life of prayer and of penance. She partook of nourishment but twice a week: wine she never drank. Her life was a continual prayer. Saturdays and vigils of the feasts of Mary she devoted particularly to prayer. On one occasion when going to church at night with a burning candle, the evil spirit extinguished it; but she only touched it with her finger and it burned brightly at once. Upon her prayer a dead boy who assisted her in venerating Mary, returned to life. She died as a holy servant of God and Mary in the year 512.

The Prayer

May my prayer to thee, O holy Mary, never become anything ordinary, but let it ever be important and reverential; then shall it not be vain prayer of the lips, but powerful, in order to reap thereby beautiful fruits. It will merit for me God's mercy, it will render me worthy of thy protection, it will be of indescribable benefit to me, to my fellow-men and to the poor souls, for whom I offer it. Amen.

First Holy Communion, May 6th, 1956

 Kathy grew up, married me and became My Guide to Heaven.

Happy Anniversary Kathy

Pray Your Rosary 

Every Day

Month of Mary - 5th Day

LOOK!

 THE STORY

There are certainly few saints who paid greater homage to Mary, the heavenly Queen, and loved her more tenderly than did St. Therese. As a child already Therese honored and loved the blessed Virgin as much as was in the power of a human heart. When in her twelfth year of age she had been deprived by death of her pious mother, she sorely afflicted prostrated herself before an image of Mary, and begged most suppliantly and amid tears that Mary would deign to be her Mother. When she got possession of a picture of the Mother of God, it was pleasant to hear, in what sweet and love-breathing words she addressed Mary. She loved the rosary exceedingly, recited it gladly and meditated upon its mysteries. To please the ever blessed Virgin she entered a convent and did a very great amount of good. As Therese chose Mary to be her Mother, so she remained her faithful child until death.

THE PRAYER

It shall ever be to me, O mystical rose! a delightful occupation, if I can venerate thee by the holy rosary. As a reward I only ask this in return: Obtain for me by thy mighty intercession at the throne of the most gracious God, this grace, that I may always endeavor more firmly to imitate what I consider and revere in thy rosary, and to become more worthy of thee as thy honor and thy crown. Amen.

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Month of Mary - 4th Day

Catholic School, Danbury, Connecticut - USA

September 9th, 1950

Look!

 THE STORY

As a child St. Stanislaus Kostka, was noted for his great love to Mary. When speaking of her whom he so tenderly loved, he would move his hearers to love Mary. He never performed any work without having first asked Mary's blessing and assistance. When reciting the Office, the rosary or other prayers, he spoke with such earnestness and expression, as if he were addressing Mary, face to face. When hearing the Salve Regina sung, his soul was so touched that his countenance reflected his interior feelings. Visiting one day, in company with a Reverend Father of the Society of Jesus, an image of the blessed Virgin, he was asked by the father how much he loved Mary? "My father," he replied, "what more can I say: she is my Mother!" And with such gentle voice and flaming ardor did Stanislaus speak these words, that he appeared more like an angel announcing his love of Mary. This great love was returned by Mary. As he desired and often prayed, Mary took him to herself on the feast of her Assumption, 1568.

THE PRAYER

No, my good Mother, I will not mistrust thee. I will call upon thee every day; and my prayer shall not be mere words of the lips. I will have recourse to thee with childlike confidence in all my necessities. Hear my prayers in behalf of my soul and the souls of my fellow-men. Do not despise my supplication, for thou art my Mother. Do thou intercede for me at the throne of my judge, for thou art His Mother. Lead thou me with maternal care over the thorny paths of this earthly life into the glory of heaven. Amen.

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Month of Mary - 3rd Day

Catholic School, Danbury, Connecticut - USA

September 9th, 1950

Look!

 THE STORY

The parents of St. Justina were still heathens, when she confessed her belief in Christ Jesus, and after a short time converted her parents. She was extraordinarily beautiful. This was especially noticed by a young heathen who, burning with shameful lust, sought to gain her to himself by magic agency. Justina was seriously tempted; she was troubled by such great temptations, that all resistance appeared impossible. Already she believed the loss of virtue and fall into sin unavoidable. In this extreme danger she lifted her eyes to heaven and amid tears she implored Mary's assistance and protection. This good Mother heard her prayer; for at once the spirits of darkness and lust, which assailed her innocent soul, fled. She also obtained upon Mary's intercession the grace of persevering and perfect chastity unto the end of her life. More-over she obtained the conversion of Cyprian, who sought to cast Justina into destruction, and both suffered the death of holy martyrs in the year 304.

THE PRAYER

Mary, Immaculate Virgin and Mother of the Most High, do not reject me, sin-laden creature, from thee. Behold me prostrate upon my knees beseeching thee to be a merciful Mother to me. Assist me in my battles against sin; infuse into my heart ever more the sentiments of thy immaculate heart, that I may perceive my misery and in true contrition hate, despise, bewail and avoid nothing more in this world than sin. Obtain for me also, O powerful Virgin, the grace of perseverance in the practice of all necessary virtues. Grant me thy assistance to avoid all sins, and to practice all virtues. Amen.

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Month of Mary - 2nd Day

Catholic School, Danbury, Connecticut - USA

September 9th, 1950

Look!

 THE STORY

St. Francis of Sales, of whom it can be said, that his heart was a true likeness of the most sacred heart of Jesus, possessed an extraordinary, tender love to Mary, the ever blessed Virgin. From the days of childhood he venerated Mary by special prayers and with remarkable devotion. Those prayers he recited daily. When he became sixteen years of age he was tempted by that dreadful thought, that belonging to the reprobate he could no longer love God. In his despondency, anxiety and torture of mind, he prostrated himself before an altar of the blessed Virgin, and recited amid tears the "Memorare." Hardly had he finished, when he already felt the assistance of Mary; the evil spirit was forced to flee; comfort and joy re-entered his heart. Therefore as a mark of gratitude he daily recited the rosary in honor of Mary, and continued to do so during forty years so faithfully, that he did not omit one day despite his many labors and oft enfeebled strength the recital of this prayer. Let us follow his example.

THE PRAYER

I salute thee, Mary, thou kindest Virgin! thou art my Mother, my Lady! I therefore beseech thee to accept me as thy son and servant, for I desire to have no there mother and lady, but thee. I pray thee, good Mother, may it please thee to comfort me in all my anxieties and both corporal and spiritual necessities. Lead me upon all my ways and in all my actions guide thou and protect me, for I, poor creature, am much in need of thy protection. Shield my body and my soul against all evils and dangers, and let me partake of thy virtues on earth and of thy riches in heaven. Amen.

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Month of Mary - 1st Day

Catholic School, Danbury, Connecticut - USA

September 9th, 1950

Look!

 

THE STORY

  St. Philip Neri distinguished himself by his love of Mary. In his earliest childhood not a day passed, on which he did not honor her by some pious practice or some work of mortification. He called her his dear Mother, his beloved patroness, his joy. When speaking of her his face became radiant with joy, and all his hearers felt their zeal growing by his speech. Never did he preach or instruct without mentioning the sweet name of Mary. In all his actions he remembered her; in all his words he praised her. Therefore he was blessed by his heavenly Mother with special benefits and graces, and was favored with an apparition of her. The most precious of the graces he received through her intercession was, as he said, his profound adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist. He lived and died―a faithful servant of Mary.

THE PRAYER

O Mother of fair love! show me thy glory and fill me with admiration to thee―the most beautiful work of thy and my Creator. Replenish me with love to thee who didst give me Jesus―the fruit of the love of God, who still gives me Jesus, and teach me to know Him, to love Him, thus to gain His mercy. Look with pleasure upon the small tokens of my love and obtain by thy intercession for me a holy spirit that I may always honor thee and pray to thee in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Friday - Jesus Makes Himself Known

 Read the Story - Life Magazine

Good Morning Children of Mary,

Today is Friday, April 30th and our daily meditation is Jesus Makes Himself Known to His Disciples.

Have a beautiful day!

The Setting:

The disciple therefore whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: 'It is the Lord.' Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him and cast himself into the sea" (John 21, 7).

Prelude: 

Behold the Apostles in the ship and Jesus near them on the shore.  

Prayer: 

O my Divine Saviour, what admirable models hast Thou given to us in Thy two disciples! The tender love of the virgin disciple recognized Thee first, and Peter's fiery zeal induced him to overcome all obstacles to reach Thee. Ah, when will a spark of this pure and ardent love enkindle my heart, enlighten my understanding, sanctify my actions!O my beloved Jesus, I implore Thee, create a clean heart in me, cleanse me more and more of my sins, give me a truly humble, submissive and love-inflamed heart, that I may adore Thee in all Thy loving dispensation, love and praise Thee and seek my sole happiness in the accomplishment of Thy holy Will. 

Resolution: 

I will strive to testify my love to my Saviour by purity of heart and generous immolation of self in the service of God.

Spiritual Bouquet: 

"The disciple whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: 'It is the Lord.'"

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Jesus - Model of Religious, Meditations for every day of the year. Frederick Pustet Co.,   Copyright, 1925

Translated from the German of a Religious of the Congregation of St. Charles Borromeo, by a Sister of Notre Dame, Cleveland, Ohio, 

Thursday - Shores of Lake Genesareth

 Read the Story - Life Magazine

Good Morning Children of Mary,

Today is Thursday, April 28th and our morning meditation is Jesus Appears to His Disciples on the Shores of Lake Genesareth.

Have a beautiful day!

The Setting:

"Simon Peter saith to them: 'I go a fishing.' They say to him: 'We also come with thee.' And they went forth, and entered into the ship, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them: 'Children, have you any meat?' They answered Him: 'No'" (John 21, 3-6). He said to them: "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find."  

Prelude: 

In spirit, visit the shore of Genesareth; see the Apostles casting out thier nets in vain and Jesus standing on the shore, lovingly conversing with them. 

Prayer: 

O Divine Saviour, must I not fear that my labors for the salvation of souls have been useless and without merit for heaven? Alas, I have forgotten Thy words: "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15, 5). Prompted by vain self-confidence and relying on my own strength, I have neglected to labor in Thy presence and to commend my work to Thee by fervent prayer. I humbly acknowledge my weakness and inefficiency, O my Saviour. I will have recourse to Thy Omnipotence with implicit trust, will the more securely rely on Thy assistance, the more miserable I am. Humbly submissive to all who command in Thy name, I will expect of Thee the blessing Thou so generously impartest to obedient souls.

Resolution: 

I will perform all my actions in a spirit of faith and love.

Spiritual Bouquet: 

"Without Me you ca do nothing."

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Jesus - Model of Religious, Meditations for every day of the year. Frederick Pustet Co.,   Copyright, 1925

Translated from the German of a Religious of the Congregation of St. Charles Borromeo, by a Sister of Notre Dame, Cleveland, Ohio, 

Wednesday - Jesus Appears to Thomas

 Read the Story - Life Magazine

Good Morning Children of Mary,

Today is Wednesday, April 28th and our morning meditation is Jesus Appears to Thomas and the Other Disciples. Have a beautiful day!

The Setting:

"And after eight days again His Disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said 'Peace be to you.' Then He saith to Thomas: 'Put in thy finger hither, and see My hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into My side; and be not faithless, but believing.' Thomas answered and said to Him: 'My Lord and my God!'" (John 20, 26-29).

Prelude: 

Behold the Apostle Thomas, full of shame and contrition, falling at the feet of His Master and loudly confessing his faith.

Prayer: 

O my Jesus, I, too, recognize Thee as my Lord and my God. Animated with the sentiments of humility and contrition, of submission and hope, of love and devotion, which filled the heart of Thomas, I adore Thee with profoundest reverence. Accept my sentiments with complacency and grant me with the perfect pardon of my sins, a more firm and living faith that I may be rendered worthy to reap the blessing Thou has attached to faith. Grant me grace to perform all my works in the spirit of faith, that trusting and confiding in Thee, I may overcome every obstacle and finally conquer self. Humbly confident, I will hasten to Thy Sacred Wounds, these sources of grace and salvation, and draw from them the ardent, powerful and self-sacrificing love which Thy Apostles  drew from them, that by redoubled fervor I, too, may make amends for my past transgressions and my insufficient love. 

Resolution: 

As soon as I am conscious of a fault I will return to my Saviour, contrite, and with unbounded trust promise Him to perform the following action with redoubled zeal. 

Spiritual Bouquet: 

"My Lord and my God!"

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Jesus - Model of Religious, Meditations for every day of the year. Frederick Pustet Co.,   Copyright, 1925

Translated from the German of a Religious of the Congregation of St. Charles Borromeo, by a Sister of Notre Dame, Cleveland, Ohio, 

Tuesday - Thomas

 Read the Story - Life Magazine

Good Morning Children of Mary,

Today is Tuesday, April 27th and our meditation is The Unbelief of Thomas. Have a beautiful day!

The Setting:

"Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came" (John 20, 24).

Although the holy women and disciples assured him "We have seen the Lord," and to make their testimony more credible even related all the details, Thomas refused to believe. He relied more on his own judgment than on the words of others. What obduracy, what stubbornness! In his presumption he even indicated the manner in which he would be convinced. We cannot realize that Thomas should have lacked the faith of his fellow-laborers. Had he not distinguished himself formerly by his spirit of sacrifice, the the other Apostles sought to dissuade Jesus from going to Bethany? Thomas courteously declared: "We will go with Him and die with Him" (John 11, 16). And now, having forfeited the graces imparted to the Apostles at Christ's first apparition, he fell from one fault into another, from obstinacy into obdurate unbelief and gross presumption  

Prelude: 

In spirit behold the Apostles animatedly relating to Thomas the apparition of their risen Master.

Prayer: 

Divine Saviour, I thank Thee for the wholesome instructions imparted to me in this meditation. Preserve me from the spirit of singularity and stubbornness, which would rob me of the many graces attached to fidelity in community exercise. Grant me the grace to know myself and imbue me with the desire to submit in childlike simplicity to the direction of my superiors, and humbly to walk the way Thou hast traced for us in our Holy Rule and the constitutions of our Congregation. Let Thy hand guide me securely, that I may find peace and happiness in unreserved surrender to Thee, the portion of those that love Thee, O Highest Good, with all their hearts. 

Resolution: 

I will endeavor to be prompt at all community exercises.  

Spiritual Bouquet: 

"Where two or three are assembled in My name, I will be in their midst."

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Jesus - Model of Religious, Meditations for every day of the year. Frederick Pustet Co.,   Copyright, 1925

Translated from the German of a Religious of the Congregation of St. Charles Borromeo, by a Sister of Notre Dame, Cleveland, Ohio, 

Monday - Jesus Imparts Peace to His Disciples

 Read the Story - Life Magazine

Good Morning Children of Mary,

Today is Monday, April 26th and our morning meditation is Jesus appears to His Apostles and Imparts His Peace. Have a beautiful day!

The Setting:

"Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: 'Peace be to you; it is I; fear not'" (Luke24, 36).

Prelude: 

Behold the risen Saviour in the midst of the assembled disciples, wishing them peace.

Prayer: 

O Divine Prince of Peace, not only to Thy Apostles didst Thou leave the precious gift of peace, but Thou didst leave it, also, to Thy faithful servants, as a secure heritage for all times. Couldst Thou have given us a more comforting assurance? How should it be possible for sorrow and misery to depress, or for trials  to discourage, us, if the peace of Jesus Christ, surpassing all comprehension, dwells in our hearts? That it may always be my portion, I will endeavor to avoid carefully what might dim the purity of my soul. I will observe my Holy Rule with all possible fervor, as the expression of the Divine Will, and the law of His love, and will maintain interior and exterior tranquillity by holy recollection, at such a price to purchase the blessedness of inward peace by self-denial and complete surrender to the holy, amiable, and adorable Will of God. 

Resolution: 

In order to maintain peace with God, I will scrupulously avoid the slightest act of unfaithfulness.

Spiritual Bouquet: 

"Lord, grant us Thy peace!"

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Jesus - Model of Religious, Meditations for every day of the year. Frederick Pustet Co.,   Copyright, 1925

Translated from the German of a Religious of the Congregation of St. Charles Borromeo, by a Sister of Notre Dame, Cleveland, Ohio, 

Meditation for The Third Sunday After Easter

Read the Story - Life Magazine

Good Morning Children of Mary,

Although these little meditations were written for religious nuns who lived in a convent in Germany a long time ago, we believe that they will be of great benefit to us as well.

Today's Meditation is Jesus Forewarns His Apostles That Tribulations Shall be Their Lot.

Have a beautiful day!

The Setting:

"Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy" (John 16, 20).

Prelude: 

Behold our Divine Lord in the company of His disciples.

Prayer: 

I thank Thee, O my Divine Saviour, for the light of Thy grace in which I have realized the value of sufferings and trials. Even here below tears shed for Thy sake are mingled with much sweetness, and promise to bear fruits of eternal joy. Confirm in us ever more the hope of the eternal, imperishable heritage,―the fruit of Thy passion― that neither labors, nor fatigue, neither sufferings nor sorrow and disgrace, can shatter our courage, or disturb our peace of soul. O my Jesus, replenish our hearts with so generous and powerful a love as burned in the hearts of Thy Apostles and martyrs, that we may endure the sorrows of This present life not only with resignation, but with a holy joy, deeming ourselves happy to bear closer resemblance with Thee, our Divine Model.

Resolution: 

We will unite our sufferings with those of Jesus and bear them cheerfully for love of Him. 

Spiritual Bouquet: 

"Your sorrow shall be turned into joy."

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

Saturday - The Disciples Entreat Our Lord

Read the Story - Life Magazine

Good Morning Children of Mary,

Although these little meditations were written for religious nuns who lived in a convent in Germany a long time ago, we believe that they will be of great benefit to us as well.

Today's Meditation is The Disciples Entreat Our Lord to Stay with them.

Have a beautiful day!

The Setting:

"And they drew night to the town, whither they were going; and He made as though He would go farther. But they constrained Him, saying: 'Stay with us; because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent.' And He went in with them" (Luke 24, 28-29).

Prelude: 

Behold the disciples urging our Blessed Lord to stay with them. 

Prayer: 

O my Saviour, how often has it been Thy most ardent desire to come to me, to take up Thy abode in my heart, and to manifest Thy presence by special marks of affection and the sweetest impulses of Thy grace. My tepidity and coldness have stifled any longing on my part for Thy happy, blessed presence, and constrained Thee rather to abandon me. Pardon, O my beloved Jesus, such indifference. Let Thy heart be moved by my sincere compunction and humility, and be Thou moved by my fervent petitions, to enter into my heart with Thy grace and love, and transform it through the fire of the Holy Spirit. "Stay with me, Lord," I will then say with the disciples, for I, too, will always remain with Thee; remain with me, for in Thee is the source of life; stay with me during my earthly pilgrimage, that I may one day attain to Thee and remain with Thee for all eternity. 

Resolution: 

I will frequently entreat my dear Saviour to abide in me with His grace and love.

Spiritual Bouquet: 

"Stay with us, for the day is now far spent."

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!