Reflection: The Madonna and the Rosary

The Power of the Rosary

Today we remember and pray for the soul of a dear friend and prayer partner on her birthday. She had a great love for the Madonna and the Most Holy Rosary. She shared that love with her family, friends and as a leader of the Public Rosary Rally of Our Lady of Fatima. May she rest in eternal peace in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

"Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying. It is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God. It obtains necessary graces." Saint Padre Pio

"O Blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain that unites us to God, bond of love which unites us to the angels, tower of salvation against the assaults of Hell, safe port in our universal shipwreck, we will never abandon you.  You will be out comfort in the hour of death: yours our final kiss as life ebbs away.  And the last word from out lips will be your sweet name, O Queen of the Rosary of Pompei, O Dearest Mother, O Refuge of Sinners, O Sovereign Consoler of the Afflicted, may you be everywhere blessed, today and always, on heaven and on earth." Apostolic Letter on the Rosary, Saint Pope John Paul II 

The most holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or, above all, spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families of the world, or of the religious communities, or even of the life of peoples and nations, that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the holy Rosary. With the holy Rosary, we will save ourselves; we will sanctify ourselves; we will console our Lord, and obtain the salvation of many souls. Conversation between Sr. Lucy of Fatima and Fr. Fuentes, Dec. 26, 1957

" The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there exact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description." Venerable Fulton Sheen

"The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you'll be amazed at the results. Saint Josemaria Escriva

"The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors."  Pope Pius XI

"Among all the devotions approved by the Church, none has been so favored by so many miracles as the Rosary devotion." Pope Pius IX

"The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying." Pope Leo XIII

"The rosary is a magnificant gift of God to humanity because through this prayer, we attain extraordinary graces. With the rosary in your hand, you will not be discouraged and you will have clarity of mind and extraordinary freedom in your heart." Mother Elvira Petrozzi, Foundress of the Cenacolo Community in Medjugorje, with fifty-six houses in fifteen countries, welcoming the lost and desperate. 

Our Lady of the Rosary, we entrust to you all the names we receive through this prayer ministry. Keep them under your protective mantle and always in your loving care.

Our Lady of Czestochowa, pray for us!

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Czestochowa. According to legend, after the crucifixion of Jesus, when the Virgin Mary moved to Saint John's home, she took with her some personal articles, among them a table made by Jesus in Saint Joseph's workshop.

The legend continues that when the pious women of Jerusalem asked Saint Luke to do a painting of the Mother of God, he used this table to paint the image. When the Romans began to destroy Jerusalem, Divine Providence guided the image to Constantinople, where it was carefully protected by the Christians there.

During a war in the middle of the fourteenth century, the image was struck by an enemy arrow. Prince Wladyslaw, in order to prevent the destruction of the image, decided to transport it to the land of his birth. While traveling through Poland, with the image in a horse drawn carriage, the horses refused to go any further when they reached the town of Czestochowa. The prince went up to the chapel on top of the hill Jasna Gora to pray, since he saw the horses' refusal to go on as a divine message. In a dream, In 1382, Our Lady appeared to him, and told him she wanted the image to be venerated there in Czestochowa. The prince ordered the building a bigger and more elaborate Church, along with a monastery. Pilgrims began traveling from all over to venerate the image. She has been in Czestochowa since this time, and has become a national treasure of the Polish people, who venerate her as the Queen of Poland. The present Basilica in which the image resides was built in 1902.

Given the dark color of the face and hands of Our Lady, the image has been fondly called “the Black Virgin." Her darkness may have been caused by the poor conditions of the places where she was hidden or to the numerous candles lit before her, causing her to be constantly amidst smoke. As well, she most likely has been touched by a multitude of people. In the image, the wounds on her face were caused by some bandits who tried to steal the image in 1430. The wound on her throat was caused by the Tartars who besieged the castle of Belz; one of the enemy’s arrows went through the Chapel’s window and hit the icon.

Despite repeated attempts to restore the image, the two cuts on the cheek of the Virgin, along with the harm previously caused by the spear through her throat, always reappear. Throughout the history of the icon and our Blessed Mother's powerful intercession, there have been countless miracles.

Our Lady of Czestochowa, we entrust all the petitions we receive to your loving care and protection.

The Queenship of Mary

Hail Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria!

Today is the Feast Day of the Queenship of Mary. Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954, but Mary’s Queenship has roots in Scripture.

Mary is our gentle Mother and she is a powerful warrior against evil. Turn to Mary in all your needs. She will console you in your sorrows and she will protect you against evil.

At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “Mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, Mary is closely associated with Jesus: Her Queenship is a share in Jesus’ Kingship.

In the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court. In the fourth century, Saint Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen” and Church Fathers and Doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the eleventh to thirteenth centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.”

The feast is celebrated on the octave day of the Feast of the Assumption. In his encyclical "To the Queen of Heaven" Pope Pius XII pointed out that Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with the redemptive work of Jesus, because of her perfection and her intercessory power.

Mary was assumed into Heaven by Jesus and the angels. That means she was carried. Jesus ascended into Heaven, which is a different word. He went up to Heaven by His own power. Mary doesn't have that kind of power, so Jesus carried her. After she was assumed into Heaven, Jesus took His Mother to a throne next to His own. Since He is King and Lord of all, then as His Mother, she was to become Queen. Jesus, God our Father and the Holy Spirit placed a beautiful crown of twelve stars on her head.

All the angels and saints sang wonderful songs praising her as their Queen. The Blessed Virgin Mary shares in the glory of her Risen Son, because shares in His work of saving souls. As His Mother, she carried Him in her womb, gave Him birth, raised Him through childhood and into adulthood and stayed with Him at the Foot of the Cross.

Mary is Queen to all of us. She obtains all graces for us through her prayers. As our mother and as Jesus's Mother, she will always intercede for us to her Son, and lead us closer to Him. Let us bring all our needs and prayers to her.  O Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us and for all those we pray for.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us!

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who wrote of the great spiritual advantage of true devotion to our Blessed Mother.

Saint Bernard was an Abbot and Doctor of the Church. During his lifetime, he suffered with many anxieties and illnesses. He had a deep devotion to Mary and taught that we can turn to her in all our needs. Mary is our Mother. She understands us and she knows our sufferings and she invites us to be her trusting children.

The Memorare Prayer was written by Saint  Bernard. When we pray this prayer, with great faith, we gain confidence in Mary's powerful intercession, especially when we are in desperate need of God's help. This prayer reminds us that never was it known that anyone who fled to her, implored her help or sought her intercession was not aided. If we seek Mary's help, she will help us.

The Memorare
Remember, most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to you do I come before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

He also wrote this beautiful prayer:

Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary … in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination.

Let us ask for Our Lady's intercession to Jesus. Her heart was pierced when she heard Simeon's words, as she held her precious baby. She did not understand, but she kept and pondered all things in her heart. Let us unite our sufferings with Jesus and turn to Mary for protection.

Holy Mary. Mother of God, listen to our prayers and save us from every danger. O glorious and Blessed Virgin Mary, help us to imitate you, to ponder everything in our hearts and turn to you in all our needs.

Reflection: "Let the little children come to Me."

Jesus took a little child and had the child stand among them. Jesus took the child in His arms and told the disciples that unless they become like children they will never enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Let the children come to Me and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. After He placed His hands on them, He went away. Matthew 19:14-15

Jesus said to come to Him with the simple trust of a little child. This is His invitation to you. Come as you are, come with all of your problems and worries. Come messy, come with stumbling words. Come to Him and ask for guidance and help. Bring your fears, anxieties, pain and suffering.

By surrendering to His plan for your life, Jesus gazes at You with great love. He will transform you and shower you in His love and peace. As you allow Jesus to mold you, He will lead you to a path of simplicity and the way of spiritual childhood.

You will show me the path of life, fullness of joys in Your Presence, the delights at Your fight hand forever. Psalm 16:11

Trust less in yourself and trust more in God. This is His invitation to freedom.

Blessed are You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; You have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Matthew 11:25

Heavenly Father, we ask You to bless all those for whom we pray. We thank You for the Gift of Your Son Jesus, for the Holy Spirit and for Our Blessed Mother Mary.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  Revelation 12:1

Today is the Feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother Mary. It is a day we honor Mary. Through her example, we try to live each day in the School of Mary in hope that, through God's grace and our efforts, we too may join the Blessed Mother in giving glory to God.

The Assumption of Mary into Heaven gives us hope because it points the way for us to get to heaven by following Mary. Where Mary is, we hope to be. Mary was taken to heaven, body and soul, after her life on earth was ended. Through her Immaculate nature and God's grace, she was protected from personal sin.

Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1-2 

"In her, assumed into heaven, we are shown the eternal destiny that awaits us beyond the mystery of death; a destiny of total happiness in Divine glory. This supernatural vision sustains our daily pilgrimage. Mary teaches us about life. By looking to her, we understand better the relative value of earthly greatness and the full sense of our Christian vocation."  Saint John Paul II

May we seek to imitate her love, faith and obedience. Mary said yes to God. She gave her fiat and she chose, with the God’s grace, to preserve her God-given purity throughout her whole life. She knew no sin. Mary stood by Christ under the Cross and she stands by Him bodily at the right hand of the Father, always waiting to intercede for us.

The Queen stands at your right hand, in gold of Ophir. Psalm 45:10

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled. May we see heaven as our final goal and come to share her glory. Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us and all those for whom we pray.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

O Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "greater love than this no man has that a man lay down his life for his friends." 

Through the intercession of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr, whose life illustrated such love, we beseech you to grant us our petitions . . .

(mention prayer requests)

Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we too may give ourselves entirely without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen in order to better love and serve our fellow man in imitation of your humble servant, Maximilian. Amen.  Pray 3 Hail Marys and a Glory Be

Through the Militia Immaculata movement, founded by Maximilian, he spread a fervent devotion of Consecration to Immaculate Heart of Mary throughout the world. He offered his life in place of a father who was to be executed in Auschwitz. Maximilian was then starved for two weeks. Still alive,  he was killed by lethal injection.

He ministered to his fellow prisoners and loved his persecutors, He is an example of unselfish love for all men, a love that was inspired by True Devotion to Mary.  He said, "Genuine love rises above creatures and soars up to God. In Him, by Him and through Him, it loves all men, both good and wicked, friends and enemies."

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, through his great devotion to Our Lady, teaches us how to love our enemies and persecutors, how to have a forgiving heart and how to serve others. He is the patron saint of families, those who suffer with addictions and those who work in the pro-life ministries.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, on the Memorial of your death today, pray for all the intentions we receive, through the intercession of Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Reflection: The Lost Sheep

In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus spoke of a man who had a hundred sheep and one of them strayed. The Good Shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep and went out in search of the one who was lost.

"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search for the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost." Matthew 18:12-14

Jesus placed the lost sheep on His shoulders, safe from harm, He took him home rejoicing.

When we turn away from the Lord, we go astray. Jesus never stops looking for us. He searches for us even when we don't want to be found. Then, at just the right moment, Jesus makes His Presence known to us. He desires to bring us back and heal us.

"I Myself will pasture My sheep; I Myself will give them rest. The lost I will search out, the strays I will bring back, the injured, I will bind up and the sick, I will heal." Ezekiel 34:15-16

Do you know any lost sheep, someone who has strayed off or walked away from the practice of the faith? How can you find them and bring them home?

Pray for them without ceasing.
Ask Our Lady to intercede for them.
Trust in God's love for them.
Invite the Holy Spirit to enlighten you.
Listen to why they walked away.
Invite them to Eucharistic adoration.
Gently share your faith with them.
Share a personal witness/testimony.
Invite them to go to Mass with you.
Give them a good Catholic book or movie
Never give up praying for them to return.

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost."  Luke 19:10

Reflection: Saint Clare of Assisi

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Clare. Clare heard Francis of Assisi preach and she felt a fire in her heart and had a great desire to live the Gospel.

When Clare was 18 years old, she secretly left her home with her cousin Pacifica and never returned home again. In the middle of the night, Clare met Francis and his friars at the Portiuncula, the little chapel of ‘Mary of the Angels’. Francis cut her long blond hair and Clare left her fine clothes behind. She wore a simple dress of sackcloth and a thick veil. She vowed to give herself to God who would be her Spouse forever.

Francis built a cloister for her. When other women joined her, they became known as the Order of Poor Ladies, and later known as the Poor Clares. The Poor Ladies lived in a cloister, apart from the world, and supported Francis and his followers through their hidden life of prayer and sacrifice.

Clare loved to pray before the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, her dearest Love. She received Jesus in the Eucharist as often as she was permitted. Once after she had received Holy Communion, the Child Jesus came to visit her. He lay in her arms and covered her with kisses.

Our Lord was close to Clare and her Sisters all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi, Their plan was to raid the convent first. Although she was very ill, she asked to be brought to where the enemies could see the Blessed Sacrament, which was placed in the window. She knelt down, prayed and begged God to save the Sisters, "O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now." She heard a voice: "I will keep them always in My care." At that same moment, the attackers were suddenly frightened and they fled as fast as they could. This became known as the Miracle of the Blessed Sacrament.

In speaking of Eucharistic Adoration, Saint Clare said:
"Gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him, as you desire to imitate Him."

Saint John Paul II speaking of Saint Clare:
"Her whole life was a Eucharist because from her cloister she raised up a continual thanksgiving to God in her prayer, praise, supplication, intercession, weeping, offering and sacrifice. She accepted everything from the Father in union with His only begotten Son."

I have a very special love for Saint Clare, her profound devotion of the Eucharist and her life of contemplative prayer. I especially love the story of how she held up the Blessed Sacrament when Assisi was about to be attacked and the attackers fled in fright. In 2014, I had the great blessing of visiting Assisi and I remember being so moved by the statue of Saint Clare holding up the Blessed Sacrament.

In the Eucharist, Jesus heals, protects and performs miracles. Whenever you have an opportunity to go to Eucharistic Adoration, go and sit in the Presence of the Lord. He is waiting for you. Like Saint Clare, the more you come to Him, the more He will make you become like Him. When you gaze at Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, He is gazing back at you with great love.

Words of Saint Clare:
“Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation."

Saint Clare, pray for us and all those we pray for through this ministry.

Reflection: Basilica of Saint Mary Major and the John 10:10 Prayer Ministry

The most important church in the city of Rome dedicated to Our Lady is the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, erected around the year 352. Today is the Feast Day of the Dedication of Saint Mary Major. 

The Basilica of Saint Mary Major has great significance to the John 10:10 Prayer Ministry. In 2012, upon the recommendation of a priest who is a dear friend of the ministry, "A Prayer of Entrustment to Mary" was prayed by another priest at the image of the Madonna and Child. This image, Salus Populi Romani is located in a side chapel. 

I have great gratitude to the priest who suggested making an Entrustment to Mary at this sacred image and the priest who prayed the Prayer of Entrustment to Mary. On that day, the Memorare was offered first at the beautiful statue of Mary, Queen of Peace (Regina Pacis), then at the relics of the crib of the Baby Jesus. The Prayer of Entrustment was then prayed before the image, Salus Populi Romani. The John 10:10 Prayer Ministry was fully entrusted to Our Lady! Since that day, the Prayer of Entrustment to Mary has been prayed by other priests who are friends of this ministry at other sacred places which are listed at the top of the blog. What a grace to have the assistance of these beloved priests!

Today is also known as the feast day of Our Lady of the Snows, due to a miraculous event which occurred there. According to legend, an aristocrat John and his wife were unable to have children. They prayed continually and asked the Blessed Mother for her assistance. Our Lady appeared to them in a vision on the night of August 4-5. She requested that they build a church in her honor on the Esquiline hill and the sign to accompany this dream is that the exact location would be marked out in snow.

During that hot summer evening, a miraculous snowfall traced the form of the basilica on the hill. Our Lady also appeared to Pope Liberius in a dream that same night so that he too could arrive at the location to see the miraculous snowfall. Many people gathered to see the unusual event of snow glistening in the August sun. 

Realizing that the snow marked the exact location of the church, the people staked off the area before the snow melted. The basilica was completed within two years and consecrated by Pope Liberius.

Among its great treasures are relics of the crib of the Baby Jesus from Bethlehem and a painting of the Madonna and Child known as the Salus Populi Romani, the Protectress of the People of Rome, which is attributed to Saint Luke. This image had been brought back from the Holy Land by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. The image hung in the private chapel of Pope Liberius, and he ordered that it be brought to the Basilica for public veneration by the faithful. 

Throughout the centuries, there has been a special devotion to this famous picture of Our Lady. Many popes make an Entrustment to Mary of their papacy at this sacred image.

Our Lady of the Snows, pray for us and all those for whom we pray through this ministry.

Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!

"O my brothers and sisters, I want you all to go to heaven." Saint Francis of Assisi

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Angels. Saint Francis heard Our Lord tell him to rebuild His Church. He repaired three chapels. The third was popularly called the Portiuncula or the Little Portion, dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels and is now enclosed in a sanctuary at Assisi. The friars came to live at the Little Portion in early 1211. It became the “motherhouse” of the Franciscans and where Saint Clare came to the friars to make her vows in 1212 and where Saint Francis died in 1226.

The shrine is described as a replica of the little church, the "Portiuncula" or "little corner of the world" in Assisi.  This is where Saint Francis began to understand his vocation to follow the Gospel, give up all worldly goods, pray for and advocate peace, and care for the poor and sick.

Because of the favors from God obtained at the Portiuncula, Francis asked the Pope to grant remission of sins to all who came there. The privilege extends beyond the Portiuncula to others churches, especially held by Franciscans, throughout the world.

A plenary indulgence is a powerful tool for works of mercy and weapon in our ongoing spiritual warfare. A plenary indulgence is the remission, through the merits of Christ and the saints, through the Church, of all temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven.

To obtain the Portiuncula plenary indulgence, a person must visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels at Assisi, or a Franciscan sanctuary, or one’s parish church, with the intention of honoring Our Lady of the Angels. Then perform the work of reciting the Creed and Our Father and pray for the Pope’s designated intentions. You should be free, at least intentionally, of attachment to venial and mortal sin, and truly repentant. Make your sacramental confession 8 days before or after. Participate at assist at Mass and receive Holy Communion 8 days before or after.

The Portiuncula indulgence, given until the end of time, is the first plenary indulgence that was ever granted in the Church. He who gains the Portiuncula indulgence is freed from all temporal punishments and becomes as pure as after Holy Baptism.

A plenary indulgence is available to anyone who will:
1. Receive sacramental confession (8 days before of after)
2. Receive the Holy Eucharist at Holy Mass on August 2nd
3. Enter a parish church and, with a contrite heart, pray the Our Father, the Apostles Creed and a prayer of his/her own choosing for the intentions of the Pope.

The Portiuncula was a source of Saint Francis' adoration of God. His message of peace and love remain alive through the turmoil of today's world. In this gift, we see God pouring out His unfathomable Divine Mercy upon the world.

Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us and all the intentions in our hearts.