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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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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!