A Moment with Mary

February 11 - Our Lady of Lourdes (France, 1858)

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

The Apparitions of Mary in Lourdes

The mountain air was cold on February 11, 1858, in Lourdes. Food was scarce and the firewood was all gone in the "cachot" (the squalid room where Mr. Soubirous found refuge for his wife and 9 children). So that day young Bernadette went out with a few friends, to gather dead wood at the grotto of Massabielle near the Gave River. Suddenly, she heard a sound like a gust of wind, and she raised her head to look at the grotto. Bernadette saw a Lady dressed in white.

Her body was not different from ours except for its ineffable beauty. She was medium height and seemed very young. The curve of her oval face had heavenly grace and her blue eyes were so sweet that they could melt anyone's heart. Her mouth breathed God's goodness and kindness. Entering a supernatural stupor but filled with joy, Bernadette dared to approach the Lady, reciting her rosary.

The apparition ended. Bernadette came out of her ecstasy, and egged on by her companions, she shared with them what she should have kept to herself. On hearing the story, Mrs. Soubirous was wary and forbid her daughter to return to the grotto of Massabielle. But the following Sunday, she gave in to Bernadette's friends and gave them permission to go.

Arriving at the grotto, the visionary announced: "There she is." Then she threw holy water in the Lady's direction, saying: "If you come from God, stay or else go away!" The Lady smiled and bowed her head. The more Bernadette threw holy water, the more she smiled.

Adapted from Dom Antoine Marie OSB, abbot of Clarval

February 10 - First Sunday in Lent - Our Lady of the Dove (Bologna, Italy)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

Lourdes Jubilee Year - 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions

Lourdes has drawn pilgrims since Mary appeared in 1858 to shepherdess Bernadette Soubirous. The Jubilee celebration started on the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8, 2007) and will end this year on Mary's feast once again in December. Of course, February 11th will be a very special feast day.

Pope Benedict XVI has authorized a plenary indulgence to mark the 150th anniversary of the Virgin Mary's apparitions in Lourdes. Those visiting the site during the Jubilee year will be able to receive a special indulgence, which can reduce time in purgatory. Purgatory is a kind of "spiritual waiting room" - for people who do not go directly to paradise or hell after death - to purify souls of residual sin before they enter heaven.

The Pope is expected to visit the shrine during the Jubilee year. The pontiff also said believers who prayed at places of worship dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes from 2-11 February 2008 - or who were unable to make the journey - would also be able to receive indulgences.

See http://www.lourdes2008.com/index_en.html

February 9 - Octave of the Purification of Mary

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

Prayer for Women after Childbirth

Almighty and merciful God, Who didst lay upon our mother Eve the fit punishment for her disobedience that she should bear children in sorrow, I offer to Thee all the pains of my child-bearing in propitiation for my sins; and I thank Thee that, through Thy help, the fruit of my womb has been safely brought forth into the world, and reborn in Baptism.

According to the example of the Mother of Thy only-begotten Son, I also offer to Thee my child for Thy holy service, and will earnestly strive to bring it up to Thy honor. To this end give me, through the intercession of the most blessed Virgin, Thy grace; bless me and my child, and grant that we may live according to Thy will here, and hereafter may obtain everlasting happiness.

Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Goffine's Devout Instructions of the Epistles and Gospels,
Nihil Ostat, Thomas L. Kinkead, 1896,
submitted by Father Hoerstman, Saint Ignatius Church,
November 1915

February 8 - Our Lady of Casimir (Poland, 1411)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

The Role of the Blessed Mother in the Economy of Salvation

The Sacred Scriptures of both the Old and the New Testament, as well as ancient Tradition show the role of the Mother of the Savior in the economy of salvation in an ever-clearer light and draw attention to it. The books of the Old Testament describe the history of salvation, by which the coming of Christ into the world was slowly prepared. These earliest documents, as they are read in the Church and understood in the light of a further and full revelation, bring the figure of the woman, Mother of the Redeemer, into a gradually clearer light.

When it is looked at in this way, she is already prophetically foreshadowed in the promise of victory over the serpent, a promise that was given to our first parents after their fall into sin. Likewise, she is the Virgin who shall conceive and bear a son, whose name will be called Emmanuel. She stands out among the humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from Him.

With her, the exalted Daughter of Sion, and after a long period of waiting for the promise, the times are fulfilled and the new Economy established when the Son of God takes a human nature from her that He might in the mysteries of His flesh free man from sin.

Lumen Gentium Chapter VIII §55
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
November 21, 1964

February 7 - Our Lady of Grace

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

A Most Beloved Mother

The Blessed Virgin is "the mother of the members of Christ having cooperated by charity that faithful might be born in the Church..." Wherefore she is hailed as a pre-eminent and singular member of the Church, and as its type and excellent exemplar in faith and charity. The Catholic Church, taught by the Holy Spirit, honors her with filial affection and piety as a most beloved mother.

Lumen Gentium Chapter VIII §53
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
November 21, 1964

February 6 - Our Lady of Louvain (Netherlands) - Marthe Robin (d. 1981)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

O Beloved Mother

O beloved Mother, you know the ways of holiness and love so well, teach us to often raise our minds and hearts to the Trinity, fixing our respectful and affectionate attention on the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

And since you guide us along the path to eternal life, stay close to us poor pilgrims, open your arms to us, turn your merciful eyes towards us, bring your clarity to us, cover us with your sweetness, take us into light and love, and always help us go a step further and higher into the splendors of heaven.

May our peace remain undisturbed and may the thought of God be always our minds. May every new minute take us deeper into the depths of your venerable mystery until the day that our fully blossomed souls, illuminated by divine union, will see all things in the eternal Love and Unity.

Amen.

Marthe Robin

February 5 - Dedication of the first church of Our Lady by Saint Peter (Tripoli)

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dear Mother, we love you. We thank you for your promise to help us in our need. We trust in your love that dries our tears and comforts us. Teach us to find our peace in your Son, Jesus, and bless us every day or our lives.

Help us to build a shrine in our hearts. Make it as beautiful as the one built for you on the Mount of Tepeyac. A shrine full of trust, hope, and love of Jesus growing stronger each day. Mary, you have chosen to remain with us by giving us your most wonderful and holy self-image on Juan Diego's cloak. May we feel your loving presence as we look upon your face.

Like Juan Diego, give us the courage to bring your message of hope to everyone.

You are our Mother and our inspiration. Hear our prayers and answer us.

Amen.

Raymond de Capoue (+1399),
Vie de sainte Catherine de Sienne

February 4 - Our Lady of the Pillar (Spain)

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

The Preservation of the Image of Guadalupe is Inexplicable for Science (II)

The mystery of the image of Mary thickened again in 1936, when Dr. Richard Kuhn, Nobel Prize for Chemistry, said that the fibers of the tilma contain no known dye, neither mineral, nor plant, nor animal, nor, obviously, synthetic.

The colors form a united surface, resembling a photograph, as though the fabric had behaved like a photographic film, directly receiving the image and the color on each strand of thread by a mysterious projection (a totally unique and inexplicable phenomenon).

See http://www.maryofnazareth.com/9304.0.html?&L=1

February 3 - Our Lady of Seidaneida (near Damascus, Syria)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

The Preservation of the Image of Guadalupe is Inexplicable for Science (I)

In 1531, a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a poor Indian named Juan Diego, on the Mount of Teypeyac in Mexico. Juan Diego used his "tilma" to carry out-of-season roses to the bishop as a sign from the Mother of God and confirm the authenticity of the apparitions. As he unfolded his tilma before the Bishop, he discovered a miraculously printed picture of the Blessed Virgin on his humble cloak.

The tilma is a poor quality garment, made from cactus fiber, which should have deteriorated in 20 years' time. Copies of the original, some of them made in the eighteenth century, did not withstand the test of time. Juan Diego's tilma, 477 years old, is perfectly preserved and shows no signs of deterioration.

See http://www.maryofnazareth.com/9304.0.html?&L=1

February 2 - Feast of the Purification Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:39:00 +0100

Flight Into Egypt and Presentation

SIXTH CHANT

[PRIEST]: Illuminating Egypt with the Light of Truth, you cast away the darkness of error. For the idols, unable to stand your might, fell down, and those who had been delivered from them cried out to the Mother of God:

Hail, O Resurrection of mankind!

Hail, O Downfall of the Demons!

Hail, O you who crushed the error of deceit!

Hail, O you who exposed the fraud of idols!

Hail, O Sea who drowned the symbolic Pharaon!

Hail, O Rock who quenched those who thirst for Life!

Hail, O Pillar of Fire who guided those in darkness!

Hail, O Shelter of the World, wider than the clouds!

Hail, O Food who took the place of Manna!

Hail, O Handmaid of holy delight!

Hail, O Land of the promised good!

Hail, O you who flow with milk and honey!

Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!

[RESPONSE]: Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!

KONTAKION (Priest or Cantor)

As Simeon was about to leave the present deceitful world, You were entrusted to him as an infant, but You made Yourself known to him as the perfect God. Wherefore he marveled at your wisdom beyond words, and cried out: "Alleluia!"

Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God
Attributed to Romanos the Melode (d. 560)