Sept. 19 - "True Devotion" (paragraphs 9-10)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today is Saturday - “Mary’s Day” because for centuries the Catholic Church has remembered and honored Mary’s Faithfulness on the first Saturday after Jesus died. Mary believed He would rise from the dead – just as He said.

Mary’s faith and her humility are so powerful to contemplate and to “See” with the eyes of our hearts, as the Apostle John saw and heard from those precious words spoken by Jesus dying on His Cross; these words Jesus said to him and to all of us:

“Behold your Mother” (John 19:27.

By God’s gift of Supernatural Faith, given to us in Baptism let us Listen to one of Mary’s devoted sons, St. Louis de Montfort, as he speaks of her in his treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”:

1. The whole world is filled with her glory, and this is especially true of Christian peoples, who have chosen her as guardian and protectress of kingdoms, provinces, dioceses, and towns. Many cathedrals are consecrated to God in her name. There is no church without an altar dedicated to her, no country or region without at least one of her miraculous images where all kinds of afflictions are cured and all sorts of benefits received. Many are the confraternities and associations honouring her as patron; many are the orders under her name and protection; many are the members of sodalities and religious of all congregations who voice her praises and make known her compassion. There is not a child who does not praise her by lisping a Hail Mary. There is scarcely a sinner, however hardened, who does not possess some spark of confidence in her. The very devils in hell, while fearing her, show her respect.
2. And yet in truth we must still say with the saints: De Maria numquam satis : We have still not praised, exalted, honoured, loved and served Mary adequately. She is worthy of even more praise, respect, love and service.

The Latin words in paragraph 10, “De Maria numquam satis” translated into English" may be renedered: "Of Mary, (or concerning Mary) there is never enough. The words have been attributed by many to St. Bernard. Regardless of who may have first said those words they are worthy of remembrance for they are true!

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in all of us, the Fire of Your Love. Jesus we trust in You, and thank You for the gift of Mary as our Mother. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear MagdalenaRita and cannot decide,

Thank you both for your “hearts” which are always a joy to me, when I see them after a post on Mary our Mother, especially! If you have never read the little book written by St. Louis de Montfort on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” I hope you will click on the link to begin reading this classic spiritual work which influenced Saints of our time such as Pope St. John Paul II and St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

Today we see the terrible damage that has been done to Catholics when they have been led away from Mary and can understand why Pope St. John Paul II said in an address to the Legion of Mary in Oct. 30, 1982:

…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…

May the Holy Spirit guide many to increase in love for Our Mother Mary who was given to us as our Mother by Jesus on Calvary, as He said to the Beloved Disciple John (and to all of us): “Behold Your Mother”. Thank you for your witnessing of Love for Jesus through Mary with your hearts!