First Friday of November today!

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today is the First Friday of the month and I’m late getting this reminder posted. Hopefully, some of us did not forget the Lord asked St. Margaret Mary for this devotion and we’ve been mindful of His words to her:

“Behold this heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to the point of spending itself and being consumed to prove its love to them. And in return, I receive from most men only ingratitude because of their irreverence and sacrileges and the coldness and scorn they have for me in this Sacrament of love. But what offends me most is that hearts consecrated to me act in this way. Do thou at least console me by supplying for their ingratitude, as far as thou art able."

By God’s Grace, let us console the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as far as we are able, especially on First Fridays but as often as we can.

For more on St. Margaret Mary and devotion to the Sacred Heart, see HERE

May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved, with grateful affection at every moment in all the tabernacles of the work, even to the end of time.

 

[CHCL]

Good stuff.

 

[MariaChristi]

Good stuff.

Dear CHCL,

Yes, indeed! Thanks for your reply. I was especially happy to read that Mary also appeared to St. Margaret Mary. I had never read this before:

Introduction

Saint Margaret Mary was born on July 25th, 1647, at Janots, a small town in Burgundy. She was the fifth of seven children of a prosperous notary.

At the age of four, Margaret made a promise to the Lord. She felt inspired to compose this prayer: “Oh my Lord, I consecrate to you my purity and I make a vow of perpetual chastity.” Although she herself later confessed that she did not quite understand the meaning of the words: “vow” or “chastity.”

Her father died of pneumonia when she was eight years old, and she was sent to school with the Urbanist nuns at Charolles. She loved the peace and order of the convent life, and the nuns were so impressed by her devotion, that she was allowed to make her First Communion at the age of nine. Two years later, a rheumatic affliction kept her bedridden until she reached the age of fifteen. During this time she was brought home, where some of her father’s relatives had moved in and taken over the direction of the farm and household.

Daughter of the Blessed Virgin Mary http://www.piercedhearts.org/theology_heart/life_saints/margaret_mary_files/image004.jpg

Being seriously ill upon her return, Margaret sought refuge in the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. She made her a vow that if she would heal her, she would become one of her daughters. Immediately after making this promise, she recuperated her health. Saint Margaret recalled: “As soon as I made this vow I was cured, with a new protection from the most Blessed Virgin, who now became so completely the mistress of my heart that She looked upon me as belonging to her and governed me as being dedicated to her, reproving me for my faults, and teaching me to do the will of my God.”

Aside from obtaining her health, this vow accomplished in Margaret a deep sense of union with the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, her road to sanctity was not free of detours. “On recovering my health,” she later confessed, “I thought only of seeking pleasure in the enjoyment of my liberty, without concerning myself much about the fulfillment of my promise. I gave myself up to vanity and the affection of creatures, flattering myself that the tenderness which my mother and brothers had for me would allow me to amuse and enjoy myself as much as I liked…”

The Blessed Mother reprimanded her when she saw her almost yielding to the terrible struggle that she felt within herself. On one occasion, while seated and reciting the Holy Rosary, Our Lady appeared to her and gave her the following reprimand, which she never forgot: “I am surprised, my daughter,” she said, “that you serve me so negligently!” These words left such an impression on her soul that they served her as warning for her whole life.

But our Blessed Virgin is also tender and consoling. One day, she told Margaret: "Do not fear anything; you will be my true daughter, and I will always be your good mother.”

Saint Margaret made another vow to Our Lady: to fast every Saturday and to recite her Office of the Immaculate Conception. Seeing her ardent desire of total consecration, the Blessed Mother helped her reach her goal.

 

[Richard_White]

Thank you for this most beautiful post MariaChristi, as usual.

Praise be to the Sacred Heart of Christ which wrought our salvation. To it be glory and honor forever (from an Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

 

[MariaChristi]

Thank you for this most beautiful post MariaChristi, as usual.

Praise be to the Sacred Heart of Christ which wrought our salvation. To it be glory and honor forever (from an Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Dear Richard,

Good to hear from you again; thanks for your response. Yes, the beauty of Jesus’ relationship with every soul and especially the intimate union of Hearts He and our Mother Mary shared is something I never tire of reading about and praying to experience more here and hereafter. By God’s Grace may we continue to strive for the holiness to which He has called us.