Sept. 15 - Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows - "True Devotion"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today is “special” in many ways. We are living in a time when both Jesus and Mary have been neglected by many in the world, while we see also great confusion, unrest and violence. There is an obvious Truth – in all this, for we have heard from Jesus:

…“the love of many will grow cold.” (Mt. 24:12)

But today is special because the Church yesterday gave us the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and today gives us this Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Today is special because Jesus from His Cross said to John and to all of us:

“Behold your Mother”

We hear the Church repeat those words in the gospel for today:

Gospel​

JN 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom He loved
He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then He said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Let us ponder those words and seek to obey Jesus as John did by taking Mary into our lives as John and all the saints have done. St. Louis de Montfort in particular was given God’s Grace to share with the Church, the Truth he learned from the Holy Spirit – in writing “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”.

Today, is a good day to begin reading (or re-reading) prayerfully, with attention and devotion, a few verses each day, asking the Holy Spirit to give us grace to behold our Mother as He would have us “see” her by the supernatural gift of Faith, given to us in Baptism. Clicking on the title of this book, you can read from the online version. I’ll use that version, and God willing, post from it every day as God enables me. May we “see” by supernatural Faith, and by Supernatural Hope and above all Supernatural Charity may we daily grow closer to Jesus through Mary!

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.
Please help us as we read from True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin:

INTRODUCTION OF SAINT LOUIS MARIE

1. It was through the Blessed Virgin Mary that Jesus came into the world, and it is also through her that he must reign in the world.
2. Because Mary remained hidden during her life she is called by the Holy Spirit and the Church “Alma Mater”, Mother hidden and unknown. So great was her humility that she desired nothing more upon earth than to remain unknown to herself and to others, and to be known only to God.

 

[fide]

There is so much neglect today of “Sorrows”, of the Cross, of the sufferings that are at the very heart of the Gospel and the New Life in Christ! How can we be fruitful in Him, when we shrink back into self-protection and self-satisfaction, and fear to throw ourselves into self-offering with Him? Mother Mary, and the Beloved Disciple, remain close to Him even at the Cross - what fertile ground is there, for fruitfulness!

Thank you, MariaChristi, for a reflective moment with Truth.

 

[Vico]

Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us.

The First Sorrow – The Prophecy of Simeon
Reading: Luke 2:25-35.

The Second Sorrow - - The flight into Egypt
Reading: Matthew 2:13-15.

The Third Sorrow – The Child Jesus Lost in the Temple
Reading: Luke 2: 41-50.

The Fourth Sorrow – Mary meets Jesus carrying the cross
Reading: Luke 23: 27-29.

The Fifth Sorrow – Mary at the foot of the cross
Reading: John 19: 25-30.

The Sixth Sorrow – Mary receives the body of Jesus
Reading: Psalm 130.

The Seventh Sorrow – Mary witnesses the burial of Jesus
Reading: Luke 23: 50-56.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear fide,

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Yes, I agree there is so much neglect today of “Sorrows” of the Cross that are at the heart of the Gospel and New Life in Christ. Mary’s Apparitions have repeatedly asked for Reparation and Penance from us, and yet we seem “deaf” to our Mother’s pleading that we turn back to God’s Love and away from our “disordered self-love” . We need to become humble as children or we shall not enter heaven. How we need to pray for her intercession, as she taught the little children at Fatima:

Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of Thy mercy.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks Vico,

Listing the major sorrows of Mary can help us to ponder all the Love God poured into her Immaculate Heart. Thanks for including the Scripture references also to help us Listen and pray with greater attention and devotion to God’s Revelation in His Holy Word.

Mary listened to everything Jesus said and did, and pondered all in her heart. So must we, by God’s Grace, do the same.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear CajunJoy,

Thanks for your reply. It is always good to hear any priest speak lovingly of Mary our Mother. It happens less frequently in many Churches today it seems, and even more sadly it happens that Mary is not mentioned in homes where children’s learning – especially the learning of their Catholic Faith needs to begin.

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 Gio and aroosi.

Thank you both for your “hearts” and for your love of Jesus through Mary. Let us continue to ponder God’s great gift of Mary that we may grow closer to Him through her. I hope you will continue to read more from St. Louis de Montfort’s book on True Devotion, and listen carefully, and prayerfully to the wisdom God gave St. Louis for the Church. The more I listen the more I hear Gods Truth!

 

[Jellyfish]

Thank You.

 

[Jellyfish]

 

[MariaChristi]

You are always welcome to anything God gives me – especially Mary, and through her – Jesus!

 

[Jellyfish]

Thank you very much.
Is it too much to ask if you can pray for me? I have my rough times again… and I want to stay loyal to Jesus.

Jellyfish