How to build devotion to Mary

[dreilly1982]

Ok, I know this might be like asking a fish how it swims, or a bird how it flies, but I’m really struggling with a full devotion to Mary. I understand and accept all of the doctrines concerning Mary, but I’m finding it very difficult to feel “connected”. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on building my relationship with the Holy Mother. I know it probably sounds weird, but I see other people (most notably Ven. John Paul II) who have great love and attachment to our Lord’s Mother, and would much like to know an feel that as well. Any advice would be most helpful.

 

[archlight]

Ok, I know this might be like asking a fish how it swims, or a bird how it flies, but I’m really struggling with a full devotion to Mary. I understand and accept all of the doctrines concerning Mary, but I’m finding it very difficult to feel “connected”. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on building my relationship with the Holy Mother. I know it probably sounds weird, but I see other people (most notably Ven. John Paul II) who have great love and attachment to our Lord’s Mother, and would much like to know an feel that as well. Any advice would be most helpful.

My devotion to Our Lady starts when I was a child. In the simple way of praying the rosary and knowing her as the mother Jesus our Lord.Maybe the environment around me influence me most.
My personal advice if you really want to establish devotion to Mary, better be acquainted to Marian Groups in your parish. Join the Legion of Mary. It is a group that can help you understand more of Mary and build your devotion to our Lady. There are lot of activities you could be involved at.

May God bless us all!

 

[laszlo]

Ok, I know this might be like asking a fish how it swims, or a bird how it flies, but I’m really struggling with a full devotion to Mary. I understand and accept all of the doctrines concerning Mary, but I’m finding it very difficult to feel “connected”. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on building my relationship with the Holy Mother. I know it probably sounds weird, but I see other people (most notably Ven. John Paul II) who have great love and attachment to our Lord’s Mother, and would much like to know an feel that as well. Any advice would be most helpful.

I knew a priest, who spent long years in solitary as monk, than long years in solitary as prisoner.

He wrote that he grown up on the way, that Jesus Christ was his friend, equal age as he. He grew up with Jesus. And in a day Jesus Christ, his friend died, and he lost the emotional connection. Jesus was risen, but that is a the glorious body, not the same, more the coming judge than friend

Shortly after his mother died too. On that day he understood that we Catholics have somebody who stays with us: the Blessed Virgin our mother, and we can hung on her.

 

[blue]

You may not be called to a full devotion to Mary and that’s ok. Start slow pick one thing, say the rosary or any thing that speaks to your heart and go with it till you find another. These things should come naturally and not forced and are built over time. Also your devotion may be to a saint or the sacred heart.

Peace, blue.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Let me tell ya about me.

I didn’t do this originally. Catholic School, Sacrements etc yes. Rosary No. I refused to do this for decades.

Even though I have belonged to the same parish for over 50-years. I never really felt connected with God. I felt at times connected. I knew God had worked miracles in my life. Yet there was a void, a darkness that I just couldn’t shake. Something was still missing, I was in it, but not of it. There was a depth to my connection in faith missing, and as a result the light wasn’t shining through. It was very discouraging.

So as time passed I continued to hear the “Prayer the Rosary” suggestion, “just give it a try.” So God was illusive, I knew He was there, just not really with me, and decades had now passed. Hard to expalin, God was there and had walked me out of some horrific situations, but it was almost as if He was telling me, “If you only make a little effort, then I’ll only help you a little”. But His help came at the most needed times to be sure. So I decided that I would give it an honest effort. A developed a different attitude and decided I would pray the rosary, and I didn’t care how long it took,. I was gonna make the effort. So I prayed the Rosary daily, and it just wasn’t long that I really felt, instead of following, I was being led.

But you have to make an honest effort with it. You have to say to yourself. Self, I’m gonna do this for a Year, daily. Instant gradification doesn’t apply here. I don’t know exactly how long it will take you to feel different. It didn’t take me long at all. Yet, you need to do it habitually, untill it becomes habitual automatically, and it will. Time management and a concentrated effort is a must.

Read St Louis de Montfort “Secret of Mary” its on-line, you could read it free and its a fast read. He is a devote follower of Our Lady and has a unique understanding for sure.

Well, I made a choice to give it an honest effort. I prayed 5-decades daily for sometime and that turned into often 10-15 decades, but always five. I often realized those times when I just didn’t want to pray, is when I needed to pray.

 

[Purple_Junebug]

Ok, I know this might be like asking a fish how it swims, or a bird how it flies, but I’m really struggling with a full devotion to Mary. I understand and accept all of the doctrines concerning Mary, but I’m finding it very difficult to feel “connected”. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on building my relationship with the Holy Mother. I know it probably sounds weird, but I see other people (most notably Ven. John Paul II) who have great love and attachment to our Lord’s Mother, and would much like to know an feel that as well. Any advice would be most helpful.

I feel a big connection to Mary because I see her as a mom Of course, I love my real mom, but I see it like this: your mom and dad are your imperfect parents here on earth, and God, Mary, and Jesus are your perfect family waiting for you in heaven. In this way I feel happy and comforted when I pray because it is like talking to your mom or dad, just they are perfect and holy One way you can get closer to Mary is by wearing a miraculous medal, and praying the novena of the miraculous medal (the novena card came with the medal for me, it’s a super short prayer so it’s easy to pray, even on busy days) I also recommend the rosary, which is hard to pray if you’re like me and have a short attention span haha My method is to pray one decade, then take a short break (usually by reading a bit of the gospels or the psalms) and then continue in that pattern until you are done. If you do this you will definately feel closer to Mary

 

[BrotherPaulMary]

It depends what you mean.

If you persevere in praying the rosary every day come rain or sunshine, whether you feel like it or not then that is a strong devotion to our Lady.

Devotion has connotations in english that allow us to think that what we are feeling is important.

I echo the above sentiment to read St Louis de Montfort.

God Bless

Br. Paul

 

[Monica4316]

Ok, I know this might be like asking a fish how it swims, or a bird how it flies, but I’m really struggling with a full devotion to Mary. I understand and accept all of the doctrines concerning Mary, but I’m finding it very difficult to feel “connected”. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on building my relationship with the Holy Mother. I know it probably sounds weird, but I see other people (most notably Ven. John Paul II) who have great love and attachment to our Lord’s Mother, and would much like to know an feel that as well. Any advice would be most helpful.

You mentioned Pope John Paul II… one of his favourite books/devotions to Mary was “True Devotion to Mary” by St Louis de Montfort. It’s about this exact topic… how to be truly devoted to Mary and how she brings us closer to Jesus (which is the ultimate purpose of our devotion to her). You might be interested in this book it’s available online:

montfort.org.uk/Writings/TrueDev.html

God bless!

 

[dreilly1982]

Thank you all very much! Your suggestions have been very helpful! I will start reading the book as soon as I get home!

 

[ChristisRisen32]

I always enjoy praying the Angelus and a Rosary every day and night.

This video helped me a lot meditating on our Blessed Mother.

 

[ChristisRisen32]

I always enjoy praying the Angelus and a Rosary every day and night.

This video helped me a lot meditating on our Blessed Mother.

Meant to put the link- youtube.com/watch?v=g7BbncHyw9E

 

[Belle10]

I often realized those times when I just didn’t want to pray, is when I needed to pray.

How true! :yup:

A few years ago I was pregnant and was working at a job I hated while leaving my DD at daycare. My day would start with morning sickness and crying because I couldn’t stand being at that job and leaving my little girl all day. I decided to start praying the Rosary on my long commute, figuring maybe it would help me get through the day. It certainly did…but once I gave birth and was no longer working, my daily Rosary got pushed aside.

Last year I was feeling like I wanted to get close to Mary again, so I decided that for Lent I would pray the Rosary daily. I did, and I’ve continued to do so. I really believe that starting your day with the Rosary can make a big difference! (Sometimes I don’t get all 5 decades in at once, but with little ones I’m doing my best! I do complete the Rosary before the day is done.)

Sometimes I don’t feel like praying it, but I remember Fr. Corapi saying “Just do it!” You will never be sorry or feel like it was a waste of time, but you might regret not praying it.

I also have a few images/small figurines of Mary that I keep on my windowsill by the kitchen sink. When I’m doing dishes I see her and remember to try to be like her.

Best wishes to you!

 

[jeanne71350]

Ok, I know this might be like asking a fish how it swims, or a bird how it flies, but I’m really struggling with a full devotion to Mary. I understand and accept all of the doctrines concerning Mary, but I’m finding it very difficult to feel “connected”. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on building my relationship with the Holy Mother. I know it probably sounds weird, but I see other people (most notably Ven. John Paul II) who have great love and attachment to our Lord’s Mother, and would much like to know an feel that as well. Any advice would be most helpful.

I struggled with my devotion to Mary for a long time. I didn’t see her working in my life. I was doing a ropes course at a Catholic youth camp, and I was on something like a tightrope shaking like a dog, and I was scared. Below people started saying Hail Marys, and I prayed along with them, and it brought me so much peace. I went across the ropes and finished strong. Thats when I first knew that Mary was always looking our for me. Ask Our Lady to come to you in the way that you will know her. Ask Jesus to pray for the grace to know His Mother and love her as He did. I also highly reccomend reading about Marian saints (St. Bernadette, St Louis De Montfort, St Maximillian Kolbe, St Catherine Laboure, St Juan Diego, the Fatima Children, Jacinta, Francesco, and Lucia) and the Marian appritions (Lourdes, Fatima, Guadaloupe…) there are also some fantastic movies, especially about Fatima and Lourdes. I also reccomend looking into Marian sacramentals…this guy has some fantastic videos on Mary youtube.com/user/GabiAfterHours

I will pray to Our Lady for you!
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace
the Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus!
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death Amen!