Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., took another step forward in its strong Marian devotion Sept. 8: It consecrated the college to the Blessed Virgin Mary on the feast of her Nativity.

The day’s consecration ceremony began with Mass at St. Benedict’s Abbey Church and included a procession to the Marian shrines around the campus and the blessing of the new 21-foot fountain statue of Our Lady of Grace at the center of the main quad.

“In recent years, we’ve relied upon and called upon the Blessed Virgin Mary many times for her intercession for the college,” said Benedictine’s president, Stephen Minnis, who then shared examples:

“We created Memorare Armies for enrollment increases, which happened; for the building of the Mary Grotto, which happened; for the building of the new Ferrell Academic Center, which happened.”

The college expanded its Memorare Army into a national campaign for religious liberty in 2012, with more than three million Memorares pledged.

“We called on the Blessed Virgin Mary, and she has interceded on our behalf, and success has come to the college. It becomes clear we hold a special place in our heart for her,” Minnis said. “We always say Benedictine College is chosen by Mary to be in this place at this time.”

More at NCRegister | Benedictine College Is Consecrated to Mary.

New 21-foot fountain statue of Our Lady of Grace at the center of the main quad http://catholicnewslive.com/story/97503

http://www.catholicvote.org/i-work-at-our-ladys-college/

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The Life of S. of God John de Padilla, Martyr, First Order (1500–1542) for the Franciscan Saint of the Day for Jan 21. S. of God John de Padilla was a missionary in Mexico, and New Mexico and Kansas in current day USA. He died as a martyr on the plains of Kansas after preaching and converting many in the Quivira tribe. He is the protomartyr of the United States

Reflection is on love of God and neighbor
loving our neighbor is proof of our love of God, we must love others as much as ourselves
Best to love others more than ourselves

For more on S. of God John de Padilla
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Padilla

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OXcoI_8dPfc

Read by Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia, FI from Marion Habig’s ‘The Franciscan Book of Saints’ Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Playlist of Franciscan Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxcAETrU_k&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wErRczZGry4TXytCZFiLCm

Ave Maria!

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The post Jan 21 – S. of God John de Padilla – Franciscan Saint of the Day first appeared on AirMaria.com.