Oct. 30 - Still discerning true from false devotion

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We’re listening to God’s Truth as He shared with St. Louis de Montfort what True and false devtion is and how to discern one from the other. So far we’ve heard of four kinds of false devotion to Mary, namely, the devotion of (1) the critical, (2) the scrupulous, (3) the superficial, (4) the presumptuous, and we are listening to more on the presumptuous today:

1. I declare that such an abuse of devotion to her is a horrible sacrilege and, next to an unworthy Communion, is the greatest and the least pardonable sin, because devotion to our Lady is the holiest and best after devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

I admit that to be truly devoted to our Lady, it is not absolutely necessary to be so holy as to avoid all sin, although this is desirable. But at least it is necessary (note what I am going to say), (1) to be genuinely determined to avoid at least all mortal sin, which outrages the Mother as well as the Son; (2) to practise self-restraint in order to avoid sin; (3) to join her confraternities, say the Rosary and other prayers, fast on Saturdays, and so on.

1. Such means are surprisingly effective in converting even the hardened sinner. Should you be such a sinner, with one foot in the abyss, I advise you to do as I have said. But there is an essential condition. You must perform these good works solely to obtain from God, through the intercession of our Lady, the grace to regret your sins, obtain pardon for them and overcome your evil habits, and not to live complacently in the state of sin, disregarding the warning voice of conscience, the example of our Lord and the saints, and the teaching of the holy gospel.

God willing tomorrow, we’ll hear of the 5th, 6th and 7th (If they all fit into the word count) to complete 7 types of false devotions to Mary and then by God’s Grace we will contrast them with true devotion.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Jesus we trust in You! Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Inbonum,

Thanks for your “heart”!

The more I ponder God’s Word in Scripture and in words written by His Saints, the more grateful I become. There is joy, also, when others, like yourself, are listening and pondering within their hearts and finding that Joy which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

As I began to write this reply to you I thought of St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians in which he wrote:

…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…(Gal 5:22-23)

In a similar way, St. Louis de Montfort warns us against the spirit of the world which we find prevailing today. He urges us toward “good works solely to obtain from God thorough the intercession of Our Lady , the grace to regret our sins, obtain pardon for them and overcome evil habits…” Only by following Christ as Mary and the saints have done can we begin to bear those fruits of the Holy Spirit .

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your Faithful. kindle in us the Fire of Your Love! Jesus we trust in You! Mary, Mother of the Church pray for us.

 

[hazcompat]

Mary in Heaven: One giant leap for mankind​

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

When man set foot on the moon, he said a phrase that became famous: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” In essence, humanity had reached a historical goal. But today, in Mary’s Assumption into Heaven, we celebrate an infinitely greater conquest. The Madonna has set foot in paradise: she went there not only in spirit, but with her body as well, with all of herself.

This step of the lowly Virgin of Nazareth was the huge leap forward for humanity. Going to the moon serves us little if we do not live as brothers and sisters on Earth. But that one of us dwells in the flesh in Heaven gives us hope: we understand that we are precious, destined to rise again. God does not allow our bodies to vanish into nothing. With God, nothing is lost!

In Mary, the goal has been reached and we have before our eyes the reasons why we journey: not to gain the things here below, which vanish, but to achieve the homeland above, which is forever. And Our Lady is the star that guides us. She went there first. She, as the Council teaches, shines “as a sign of sure hope and solace to the People of God during its sojourn on earth” (Lumen gentium, 68).

Pope Francis, Angelus, August 15, 2020

Read more on mariedenazareth.com:​

L’Assomption au concile Vatican II

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear hazcompat,

Thanks again, for the lovely picture of Mary’s Assumption and words to honor Mary as God has honored her.

Today on this Feast of All Souls, how many souls will see her for the first time – I wonder. May we all one day rejoice together with her in our heavenly home.