Pope to initiate Marian Month of May

[MariaChristi]

Dear Little Flower,

Yes, May is a special month and I believe Mary is so special to the Lord, and yet many who were baptized Catholics seem to have drifted away from the Church’s devotion to God’s Mother given to us.

I’ve quoted these words from St. John Paul II, many times but I continue to repeat them because they are so significant for our times:

…Where the Mother is, there too is the Son. When one moves away from the Mother, sooner or later he ends up keeping distant from the Son as well. It is no wonder that today, in various sectors of secularised society, we note a widespread crisis of faith in God, preceded by a drop in devotion to the Virgin Mother…(from Address given on Oct. 30, 1982)

The apparitions of Mary at Fatima had a profound influence on St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (now Pope Emeritus). In a homily given at Fatima, Pope Benedict said:

…An example and encouragement is to be found in the shepherd children, who offered their whole lives to God and shared them fully with others for love of God. Our Lady helped them to open their hearts to universal love. Blessed Jacinta, in particular, proved tireless in sharing with the needy and in making sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Only with this fraternal and generous love will we succeed in building the civilization of love and peace. We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete…At a time when the human family was ready to sacrifice all that was most sacred on the altar of the petty and selfish interests of nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals, our Blessed Mother came from heaven, offering to implant in the hearts of all those who trust in her the Love of God burning in her own heart… Homily at Fatima 2010

By God’s Grace, may we live in such a way as to “hasten the fulfillment of the prophecy of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity.”

 

[Fauken]

Saintified

So where’d you get that adjective from for Pope Francis?

 

[petra22]

I love May for so many reasons. Here it is Spring and for Me–Mary’s month!

 

[Rob2]

Dear Rob,

Thanks so much for the video of the Pope’s visit to the Shrine and the praying of the Rosary. I prayed my Rosary earlier this afternoon, joining in spirit with the Pope and others all over the world, but it was a joy to see the Shrine and the love of the People of God for our Mother and for the Vicar of Christ, this evening. How beautiful is the Body of Christ!

I do not speak Italian, but I could at least hear they were praying the Sorrowful Mysteries. The Latin I remembered from my school days was helpful in recognizing some words. The Sisters’ singing : “Ave, Ave, Ave Maria” was lovely. Thanks again, for sharing this.

Thank you MariaChristi for your kind words .

I am pleased that you benefited from the video .

I am new to this forum . I used to visit a Catholic forum which was open to non-Catholic Christians , but they filled it with anti-Catholic nonsense . I was also part of a Catholic forum on which only Catholics could debate , but some of the Catholics were so negative and divisive that it became too painful to remain there .

I find this forum a more loving place .

Thanks again . Love and peace .

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Petra,

Our Mother Mary is so beautiful as is the month of Mary – no wonder the Church has seen it fitting to honor her in special ways during this month!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Rob,

Again, thanks for sharing your video and also for this post to let us know you have found this forum a loving place. I’ve had similar experiences, but firmly believe God permits us to have certain trials that our faith may grow stronger (cf James 1:2-4). By His Grace, I’ve learned also to forgive immediately, remembering how I need God’s forgiveness too.

It is increasingly important for me to stay close to Mary and pray as she did, believing in God’s love for us. St. Therese of Lisieux wisely said: “Everything is Grace”.