"Keeping Mary company" on Saturdays, especially

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On December 10,1925, the Virgin Mary appeared to Sr. Lucia of Fatima, at the convent in Pontevedra, Spain, and by Her side, elevated on a luminous cloud, was the Child Jesus.

"Look, my daughter, at my Heart encircled by these thorns with which men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, strive to console me, and so I announce: I promise to assist at the hour of death with the grace necessary for salvation all those who, with the intention of making reparation to me, will, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the beads, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary

That phrase “keep me company” has impressed me from the first time I read it. Another translation renders it “accompany me”, but both convey to me an invitation into closeness with our Mother, extended to every one of her children…

The Child Jesus said to Lucia, “Have pity on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother. It is covered with the thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to remove them with an act of reparation.”

On every Saturday, at least, but everyday it is good to pray Our Lady’s Rosary, and keep her company, to accompany her through the mysteries of her life with Jesus. It is good to offer a “spiritual” Communion of Reparation if we are unable to participate at Mass and Holy Communion. Perhaps there is some sacrifice, some act of reparation the Holy Spirit may inspire us to offer – perhaps it is simply to do all with greater love today for Jesus and Mary – all that we are called to do in our ordinary day. It is love that is most important. God looks always to our hearts, as does Mary.

 

[Irishmom2]

Thank you for posting this. It is a nice reminder.

 

[paperwight66]

That phrase concerning Our Lady’s heart pierced with thorns seems to go against our belief that she is in heaven.

How can the two concepts be harmonised?

 

[MariaChristi]

That phrase concerning Our Lady’s heart pierced with thorns seems to go against our belief that she is in heaven.

How can the two concepts be harmonised?

Thanks for your reply, paperwight,

Mary is in heaven, glorious in her union with the Triune God. She also experiences in a mysterious way, what we cannot understand with our finite minds, here on earth. In the mystery of God, there is no “time”. He is Eternal. Everything to God is an eternal “Now”. It is by faith that we believe Jesus’ Sacrifice on Calvary is re-presented at every Mass. It is the same sacrifice as the sacrifice of Calvary. The Victim is the Same and the Priest is the same only the manner of the sacrifice is unbloody.

Mary suffered in her human heart on Calvary in union with her Son. Simeon had told her that her heart would be pierced as her Son’s Heart would be pierced, and so on Calvary while she did not experience the “physical sword” or the “physical crown of thorns” which her Son Jesus physically suffered, her sufferings were real and in the unseen recesses of her heart.

Our sins caused the terrible suffering of Jesus and Mary on Calvary. That is why we have the devotions of First Friday and First Saturday to offer reparation. By our love we can offer some comfort to Jesus and Mary in the Mysterious light of Eternity. That is how I understand it with my limited knowledge from reading some of the writings of the saints.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thank you for posting this. It is a nice reminder.

Dear Irishmom,

Thanks for your reply. It is a reminder to me each day, but especially on Saturdays, that our Blessed Mother is so undervalued and neglected in our times. I’m so grateful for Jesus’ gift of Mary to us from His cross. His words to John, “Behold your Mother” and John’s obedience in taking Mary into his life, have meant more and more to me. I’m also grateful to my own Irish Mother who prayed her Rosary so faithfully. I look forward to being with her and our Blessed Mother Mary one day.