Advent waiting... with the "Mother of the Word"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Nov. 28 was a perfect prelude to the First Sunday in Advent, (Nov. 29 this year). Nov. 28 was the Feast Day of Our Lady of Kibeho, and the date of her first apparition to Alphonsine, a 16 year old girl at her school in Kebeho. Re-reading the account of this visit of Mary to a simple schoolgirl was a great encouragement to me (when I first read the book and last night re-reading it.) Why? because Mary came to a girl who was poor, and ordinary, yet had great faith when she prayed to Mary. It reminded me of other visits of Mary to: the children at Fatima, St. Bernadette and St. Juan Diego – all poor and simple persons. Alphonsine was serving in the school dining hall when she heard someone call her name; she walked toward the main corridor where she felt she was being summoned. I’ll quote parts of the apparition, briefly, from the book:

…A gentle voice was speaking to Alphonsine, but it was unlike any she’d ever heard.

“My child” it beckoned, soft as air and sweeter than music…

She hesitated, but then answered with the polite response Rwandan children use when addressing a respected elder, “Long life to you.”…
…she fell to her knees and asked, “Who are you?”

“I am the Mother of the Word.”

…She didn’t fully understand the meaning of the phrase, but she was now certain that she was kneeling before the Mother of God. “My name is Alphonsine”, she added happily…

"Of all the things in heaven, what makes you most happy?

“I love God and I love His Mother who gave us their son, Jesus who has saved us.” Alphonsine immediately said.

“Really?” the lady replied sounding very pleased with the teen’s simple answer.

“Oh yes, truly.”

“If that is true, then know that I have heard your prayers and am here to console you. I want your friends and schoolmates to have your faith, for they do not have enough…”

The Virgin asked Alphonsine to join the Legion of Mary. a Catholic group whose members dedicate their lives to live as the Holy Mother had – simply, humbly, and prayerfully, glorifying the name of God through their actions. Alphonsine agreed to do so right away.

Mary then stated that she wanted to be loved and trusted by people everywhere so that she could lead lost souls to salvation through Jesus.

Hopefully, those who read this simple account, as brief as I could make it, will be encouraged and consider how to wait this Advent with Mary, “Mother of the Word.”

 

[Belshazzar]

I’ve heard the Legion of Mary is HUGE in Africa. I recall a priest in our parish who had just returned from Africa was once asked to give a talk to the Legionaires in a Church in a Nigerian village, and close to 600 people showed up! Contrast that to my home parish, where our Legion could hold their meetings in a phone booth.

Our Lady of Kibeho also recommends the Chaplet of her Seven Sorrows, another devotion all the faithful should be familiar with and foster a devotion.

 

[Mordocai]

Consider reading My Ideal: Jesus Son of Mary by Fr. Neubert! Excellent work on consecration to Mary.

 

[MariaChristi]

I’ve heard the Legion of Mary is HUGE in Africa. I recall a priest in our parish who had just returned from Africa was once asked to give a talk to the Legionaires in a Church in a Nigerian village, and close to 600 people showed up! Contrast that to my home parish, where our Legion could hold their meetings in a phone booth.

Our Lady of Kibeho also recommends the Chaplet of her Seven Sorrows, another devotion all the faithful should be familiar with and foster a devotion.

Dear Belshazzar,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the Legion was brought to Africa by The Lord through the zeal of a young Irish woman, Venerable Edel Quinn. Her story is an amazing one and inspiring for all lay persons who are serious about growing in faith, hope and above all charity. If you want to read more about Venerable Edel, see HERE. Like Alphonsine, Edel had great love for, and faith in, our Mother Mary. Edel said that she could never refuse Mary anything.

The official magazine of the Legion of Mary “Maria Legions” had an article on the the Republic of Central Africa which said that the security situation is still precarious. Roads are unsafe and the Hierarchy can only meet by using air transport. A majority of Legion members are still dispersed among refugee centers but, in spite of this, Legion work is reviving week by week with the help of the Holy Spirit. There was also an article by a 92 yr. old African woman who had met and been influenced by Edel in Uganda.

In the beginning of Christianity, we know that the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church. The Legion in Africa is an inspiration to me, for I believe that it is helping many souls to encounter Jesus through Mary. As our Mother Mary told Alphonsine:

…she wanted to be loved and trusted by people everywhere so that she could lead lost souls to salvation through Jesus. (-- words from Our Lady of Kibeho)

May the Legion of Mary continue to flourish in Africa and may it begin and be renewed all over the world. As Pope Saint John XXIII said: “The Legion of Mary presents the true face of the Catholic Church.”

 

[MariaChristi]

Consider reading My Ideal: Jesus Son of Mary by Fr. Neubert! Excellent work on consecration to Mary.

Dear Mordocai,

Thanks for your reply. Fr. Neubert himself considered that book his greatest work. Also St. Maximilian Kolbe and Ven. Frank Duff, Founder of the Legion of Mary, were so impressed with Fr. Neubert’s works that they both struck up friendships with him, and worked tirelessly to promote the sale of his books.

If anyone would like to read more about this holy Marian Priest, see HERE