February 29, 2012
Mary Star of the Sea
A star...has four main characteristics: it has the nature of fire, it is bright and clear, it sends forth a ray, and it shines in the night. We can find all these qualities in our star, the Virgin Mary. The meaning of her name is very fitting, for Mary means "star of the sea." Saint Peter Damian
The title may have its origin in the Scripture 1 Kings 18:41-45 which speaks of a cloud above the sea, no bigger than a man's hand, which is seen from Mount Carmel. The tiny cloud's scriptural significance is as the sign of hope that heralds the end of a long drought.
A similar message is reflected in another title of Mary, which appears in the official Litany of the Virgin, Morning Star. Both titles refer to Mary as a symbol of hope and as a foreshadowing of the imminent coming of Jesus. A combination of the two themes produces Star of the Sea.
Saint Jerome interpreted the Hebrew name of Mary, Miriam, as "stilla maris," or a drop of the sea. It has been suggested as an alternative origin for the term that this may have been miscopied as stella maris.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote, "If the winds of temptation arise; If you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary; If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary. Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire violently assail the frail vessel of your soul, look at the star, call upon Mary."
Let us look to the star and call upon Mary to intercede for these babies and little ones and their families.
February 28, 2012
Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
The Hearts of Jesus and Mary
The image of the two hearts speaks to us of their infinite love toward people, toward each parish, each family, and each individual. When we speak of Jesus' and Mary's hearts we think of Jesus and Mary under the aspect of the richness of their inner lives, especially of their love for the Father and all people. Mankind today needs God's goodness, love and mercy more than ever. We share in this in consecration to Jesus' and Mary's hearts and in living out this consecration.
Their love towards sinful mankind reveals itself from the time of Jesus' birth in the stable of Bethlehem to his death on the cross on Golgotha. Their love is so wonderful especially because it is a love that has experienced crucifixion.
In the acknowledgement of their love, Jesus and Mary want to lead us to selfless love of God and our neighbor which is the core of holiness to which we are called. Because they love us they want to save mankind that has gone astray. The messages of Fatima also speak about this. It is necessary for us to believe in their love and trust them in order to commit ourselves to them totally. They will renew our hearts so that we will begin to think, speak, work and love as they do.
Jesus assured Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque that tepid Christians who would consecrate themselves to the heart of Jesus would become fervent, and the fervent ones would rise quickly to great perfection.
With consecration to Mary, we commit ourselves to Jesus: our souls and bodies, our spiritual progress, our prayers, sacrifices, good deeds, hidden spiritual struggles, our state of health, our families, acquaintances and friends, our profession and all our material goods.
A new life starts in us, formed after the hearts of Jesus and Mary. When we consecrate ourselves to the hearts of Jesus and Mary consciously, they too give themselves to us in a new way. It's a covenant of two loves. When we commit ourselves to Jesus and Mary we become their property. They will take care of us as their property. All for Jesus through Mary!
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and for all the names we receive through this baby prayer ministry.
February 26, 2012
Eucharistic adoration to Jesus through Mary
To you, Mother of the human family, we confidently entrust all of humanity with its hopes and fears. Give us the light of true wisdom. Guide our steps on the ways of peace. Enable all to meet Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
With Mary Let us Adore Him!
Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Mary devoted herself exclusively to the Eucharistic Glory of Jesus. She knew that it was the desire of the Eternal Father to make the Eucharist known, loved and served by all men; that need of Jesus’ Heart was to communicate to all men His gifts of grace and glory. She knew, too, that it was the mission of the Holy Spirit to extend and perfect in the hearts of men, the reign of Jesus Christ, and that the Church had been founded only to give Jesus to the world.
All Mary’s desire, then, was to make Him known in His Sacrament. Her intense love for Jesus felt the need of expanding in this way, of consecrating itself - as a kind of relief, as it were - because of her own inability to glorify Him as much as she desired.
Ever since Calvary, all men were her children. She loved them with a Mother’s tenderness and longed for their supreme good as for her own; therefore, she was consumed with the desire to make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament known to all, to inflame all hearts with His love, to see them enchained to His loving service.
To obtain this favor, Mary passed her time at the foot of the Most Adorable Sacrament, in prayer and penance. There she treated the world’s salvation. In her boundless zeal, she embraced the needs of the faithful everywhere, for all time to come, who would inherit the Holy Eucharist and be Its adorers. Her prayers converted countless souls, and as every conversion is the fruit of prayer, and since Mary’s prayer could meet no refusal, the Apostles had in this Mother of Mercy their most powerful helper. "Blessed is he for whom Mary prays!"
Eucharistic adorers share Mary’s life and mission of prayer at the foot of the Most Blessed Sacrament. It is the most beautiful of all missions, and it holds no perils. It is the most holy, for in it all the virtues are practiced. We must have true adorers; that is to say, men of fervor and of sacrifice. When there are many such souls around their Divine Chief, God will be glorified, Jesus will be loved, and society will once more become Christian, conquered for Jesus Christ by the apostolate of Eucharistic prayer.
O Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, pray for us and for all the intentions we receive through this ministry.
With Mary Let us Adore Him!
Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Mary devoted herself exclusively to the Eucharistic Glory of Jesus. She knew that it was the desire of the Eternal Father to make the Eucharist known, loved and served by all men; that need of Jesus’ Heart was to communicate to all men His gifts of grace and glory. She knew, too, that it was the mission of the Holy Spirit to extend and perfect in the hearts of men, the reign of Jesus Christ, and that the Church had been founded only to give Jesus to the world.
All Mary’s desire, then, was to make Him known in His Sacrament. Her intense love for Jesus felt the need of expanding in this way, of consecrating itself - as a kind of relief, as it were - because of her own inability to glorify Him as much as she desired.
Ever since Calvary, all men were her children. She loved them with a Mother’s tenderness and longed for their supreme good as for her own; therefore, she was consumed with the desire to make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament known to all, to inflame all hearts with His love, to see them enchained to His loving service.
To obtain this favor, Mary passed her time at the foot of the Most Adorable Sacrament, in prayer and penance. There she treated the world’s salvation. In her boundless zeal, she embraced the needs of the faithful everywhere, for all time to come, who would inherit the Holy Eucharist and be Its adorers. Her prayers converted countless souls, and as every conversion is the fruit of prayer, and since Mary’s prayer could meet no refusal, the Apostles had in this Mother of Mercy their most powerful helper. "Blessed is he for whom Mary prays!"
Eucharistic adorers share Mary’s life and mission of prayer at the foot of the Most Blessed Sacrament. It is the most beautiful of all missions, and it holds no perils. It is the most holy, for in it all the virtues are practiced. We must have true adorers; that is to say, men of fervor and of sacrifice. When there are many such souls around their Divine Chief, God will be glorified, Jesus will be loved, and society will once more become Christian, conquered for Jesus Christ by the apostolate of Eucharistic prayer.
O Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, pray for us and for all the intentions we receive through this ministry.
February 19, 2012
On Earth as it is in Heaven
As we prepare to enter into the season of Lent, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and listen to his teachings, always remembering that He made us for eternal life with Him.
Matthew 6:1-21 Jesus teaches us about almsgiving, prayer and fasting.
Teaching about Almsgiving
Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
Teaching about Prayer
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
The Lord’s Prayer
This is how you are to pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.
Teaching about Fasting
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
Treasure in Heaven
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Song of Songs 8:6,7
"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. Many waters cannot quench love nor will rivers overflow it."
Blessed Mother Mary, we ask you to keep us as a seal in your Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Help us to love as you love. Protect all those for whom we pray through this ministry dedicated to you. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
Matthew 6:1-21 Jesus teaches us about almsgiving, prayer and fasting.
Teaching about Almsgiving
Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
Teaching about Prayer
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
The Lord’s Prayer
This is how you are to pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.
Teaching about Fasting
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
Treasure in Heaven
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Song of Songs 8:6,7
"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. Many waters cannot quench love nor will rivers overflow it."
Blessed Mother Mary, we ask you to keep us as a seal in your Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Help us to love as you love. Protect all those for whom we pray through this ministry dedicated to you. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
February 05, 2012
Made in the Image of God
Genesis 1:26-31 Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed, the sixth day.
Prayer to Our Blessed Mother Mary for assistance in the Spiritual Battle From a book of prayers called "The Lion Roars, Prayers for the Remnant" written by Dave VanVickle.
"O Mary, conceived without sin! O Woman clothed with the Sun! Come now and intercede for us in this battle against evil. You who are despised and feared by the father of lies, help us powerfully. You whose beauty is so bright, so pure that devils tremble in fear, help us powerfully. You who strike at the head of the old serpent, the devil, help us powerfully. O Mary whose name is so sweet, come and cover us with your protective mantle and protect us in this battle with evil. O humble Woman, vanquish the evil one. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
Prayer to Our Blessed Mother Mary for assistance in the Spiritual Battle From a book of prayers called "The Lion Roars, Prayers for the Remnant" written by Dave VanVickle.
"O Mary, conceived without sin! O Woman clothed with the Sun! Come now and intercede for us in this battle against evil. You who are despised and feared by the father of lies, help us powerfully. You whose beauty is so bright, so pure that devils tremble in fear, help us powerfully. You who strike at the head of the old serpent, the devil, help us powerfully. O Mary whose name is so sweet, come and cover us with your protective mantle and protect us in this battle with evil. O humble Woman, vanquish the evil one. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
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