Wk 2 - Day 7 - "acquiring an understanding of Mary" (continuing Advent)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As I wrote yesterday, this is a week that, in a real way, “never ends for me” Each time I read “True Devotion” and each time I make this journey of 33 days to renew my Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, I hunger for yet more. As we conclude this week, let us listen to what St. Louis de Montfort wrote (and lived).

In paragraphs 167 and 168, we have a perfect introduction to Wk 3 in which our focus will be on Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary:

1. Since Mary alone has crushed all heresies, as we are told by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Office of B.V.M.), a devoted servant of hers will never fall into formal heresy or error, though critics may contest this. He may very well err materially, mistaking lies for truth or an evil spirit for a good one, but he will be less likely to do this than others. Sooner or later he will discover his error and will not go on stubbornly believing and maintaining what he mistakenly thought was the truth.
2. Whoever then wishes to advance along the road to holiness and be sure of encountering the true Christ, without fear of the illusions which afflict many devout people, should take up with valiant heart and willing spirit this devotion to Mary which perhaps he had not previously heard about. Even if it is new to him, let him enter upon this excellent way which I am now revealing to him. “I will show you a more excellent way.”

It was opened up by Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom. He is our one and only Head, and we, his members, cannot go wrong in following him. It is a smooth way made easy by the fullness of grace, the unction of the Holy Spirit. In our progress along this road, we do not weaken or turn back. It is a quick way and leads us to Jesus in a short time. It is a perfect way without mud or dust or any vileness of sin. Finally, it is a reliable way, for it is direct and sure, having no turnings to right or left but leading us straight to Jesus and to life eternal.

Let us then take this road and travel along it night and day until we arrive at the fullness of the age of Jesus Christ.

God willing, tomorrow we begin Wk 3, but by God’s Grace let us pray fervently today:
Litany to the Holy Spirit
Ave Maris Stella,
In addition they will say at least five decades of the Rosary for greater understanding of Mary. ( from True Devotion, paragraph 229)

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear lilypadrees and Greenfields,

Thank you both so very much for your “hearts”!!

How blessed we are in this season of Advent – by God’s Grace, praying with Mary and preparing with her to receive Jesus in ever more fullness by the power of His Holy Spirit!

O Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in Your servants, in the spirit of Your holiness, in the fullness of Your power, in the perfection of Your ways, in the truth of Your virtues, in the communion of Your mysteries. Rule over every adverse power, in Your Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen. (Prayer of Fr. Olier)