Marycast #68 ( 09min) Play – In this episode, Dr. Miravalle discusses St. Louis de Montfort’s Consecration to Our Lady, its role in the life of Pope John Paul II, & how Marian devotion is always founded on sound Marian doctrine.

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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Ave Maria Meditations

The Holy Name of Mary

Just as the salvation of the world began with the Hail Mary, so the salvation of each individual is bound up with it this prayer … brought to a dry and barren world the Fruit of Life, and. if well said, will cause the Word of God to take root in the soul and bring forth Jesus, the Fruit of Life.

The Hail Mary is a heavenly dew which waters the earth of our soul and makes it bear its fruit in due season. The soul which is not watered by this heavenly dew bears no fruit but only thorns and briars, and merits only God’s condemnation.

We know from experience that those who.show positive signs of being among the elect, appreciate and love the Hail Mary and are always glad to say it. The closer they are to God, the more they love this prayer … I do not know how this should be, but it is perfectly true; and I know no surer way of discover­ing whether a person belongs to God than by finding out if he loves saying the Hail Mary and the rosary.

It is the perfect compliment the most High God paid to Mary through his archangel in order to win her heart. So powerful was the effect of this greeting upon her, on account of its hidden delights, that despite her great humility, she gave her consent to the incarnation of the Word. If you say the Hail Mary properly, the compliment will infallibly earn you Mary’s good will.

St. Louis de Montfort

Richard of St. Laurence states “there is not such powerful help in any name, nor is there any other name given to men, after that of Jesus, from which so much salvation is poured forth upon men as from the name of Mary.” He continues, “that the devout invocation of this sweet and holy name leads to the acquisition of superabundant graces in this life, and a very high degree of glory in the next.”

After the most sacred name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope, and sweetness.

Hence Richard of St. Laurence encourages sinners to have recourse to this great name,” because it alone will suffice to cure them of all their evils; and “there is no disorder, however malignant, that does not immediately yield to the power of the name of Mary.” The Blessed Raymond Jordano says, “that however hardened and diffident a heart may be, the name of this most Blessed Virgin has such efficacy, that if it is only pronounced that heart will be wonderfully softened.” Moreover, it is well known, and is daily experienced by the clients of Mary, that her powerful name gives the particular strength necessary to overcome temptations against purity.

In fine, “thy name, 0 Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings,” as St. Methodius says. So much so, that St. Bonaventure declares, “that thy name, 0 Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who does so devoutly.”. . grant, 0 Lady, that we may often remember to name thee with love and confidence; for this practice either shows the possession of divine grace, or else is a pledge that we shall soon recover it.

On the other hand, Thomas a Kempis affirms “that the devils fear the Queen of heaven to such a degree, that only on hearing her great name pronounced, they fly from him who does so as from a burning fire.” The Blessed Virgin herself revealed to St. Bridget “that there is not on earth a sinner, however devoid he may be of the love of God, from whom the devil is not obliged immediately to fly, if he invokes her holy name with a determination to repent.” On another occasion she repeated the same thing to the saint, saying, “that all the devils venerate and fear her name to such a degree, that on hearing it they immediately loosen the claws with which they hold the soul captive.” Our Blessed Lady also told St. Bridget, “that in the same way as the rebel angels fly from sinners who invoke the name of Mary, so also do the good angels approach nearer to just souls who pronounce her name with devotion.”

Promises

Consoling indeed are the promises of help made by Jesus Christ to those who have devotion to the name of Mary; for one day in the hearing of St. Bridget, He promised His most holy Mother that He would grant three special graces to those who invoke that holy name with confidence: first, that He would grant them perfect sorrow for their sins; secondly, that their crimes should be atoned for; and, thirdly, that He would give them strength to attain perfection, and at length the glory of paradise. And then our Divine Savior added: “For thy words, 0 My Mother, are so sweet and agreeable to Me, that I cannot deny what thou askest.”

St. Ephrem goes so far as to say, “that the name of Mary is the key of the gates of heaven,” in the hands of those who devoutly invoke it. And thus it is not without reason that St. Bonaventure says “that Mary is the salvation of all who call upon her.” “0 most sweet name! 0 Mary, what must thou thyself be, since thy name alone is thus amiable and gracious,” exclaims Blessed Henry Suso.  Let us, therefore, always take advantage of the beautiful advice given us by St. Bernard, in these words: “In dangers, in perplexities, in doubtful cases, think of Mary, call on Mary; let her not leave thy lips; let her not depart from thy heart.”

Names of Jesus and Mary

In every danger of forfeiting divine grace, we should think of Mary, and invoke her name, together with that of Jesus; FOR THESE TWO NAMES ALWAYS GO TOGETHER. 0, then, never let us permit these two most sweet names to leave our hearts, or be off our lips; for they will give us strength not only not to yield, but to conquer all our temptations.

“The invocation of the sacred names of Jesus and Mary,” says Thomas a Kempis, “is a short prayer which is as sweet to the mind, and as powerful to protect those who use it against the enemies of their salvation, as it is easy to remember.”
Hour of Death

Thus we see that the most holy name of Mary is sweet indeed to her clients during life, on account of the very great graces that she obtains for them. But sweeter still will it be to them in death, on account of the tranquil and holy end that it will insure them.

Let us then, 0 devout reader, beg God to grant us, that at death the name of Mary may be the last word on our lips. This was the prayer of St. Germanus: “May the last movement of my tongue be to pronounce the name of the Mother of God;” 0 sweet, 0 safe is that death which is accompanied and protected by so saying a name; for God only grants the grace of invoking it to those whom He is about to save.

Father Sertorius Caputo, of the Society of Jesus, exhorted all who assist the dying frequently to pronounce the name of Mary; for this name of life and hope, when repeated at the hour of death, suffices to put the devils to flight, and to comfort such persons in their sufferings.

“Blessed is the man who loves thy name, 0 Mary” exclaims St. Bonaventure. “Yes, truly blessed is he who loves thy sweet name, 0 Mother of God! for,” he continues, “thy name is so glorious and admirable, that no one who remembers it has any fears at the hour of death.” Such is its power, that none of those who invoke it at the hour of death fear the assaults of their enemies.

St. Camillus de Lellis urged the members of his community to remind the dying often to utter the holy names of Jesus and Mary. Such was his custom when assisting people in their last hour.   Oh, that we may end our lives as did the Capuchin Father, Fulgentius of Ascoli, who expired singing, “0 Mary, 0 Mary, the most beautiful of creatures! let us depart together.”

Let us conclude with the tender prayer of St. Bonaventure:     “I ask thee, 0 Mary, for the glory of thy name, to come and meet my soul when it is departing from this world, and to take it in thine arms.”

St. Alphonsus Liguori

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary: We venerate the name of Mary because it belongs to her who is the Mother of God, the holiest of creatures, the Queen of heaven and earth, the Mother of Mercy. The object of the feast is the Holy Virgin bearing the name of Miriam (Mary); the feast commemorates all the privileges given to Mary by God and all the graces we have received through her intercession and mediation.

General Intercessions

That the pilgrim Church,
faithful to the invocation of the Most Holy Name of Mary,
may find in her a shining star,
a refuge in time of distress,
and a mother quick to help in every need,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.

That, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the world may be spared further war, violence, and bloodshed
and the leaders of nations moved to persevere in seeking a lasting peace,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.

That those who struggle on the stormy seas of life
may look to Mary as to their star, and so avert shipwreck;
that those who are tossed on the winds of temptation,
may call on Mary and be comforted in their weakness;
and that the dying may find in the Holy Name of Mary
light and peace,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.

That all who bear the sweet name of Mary
may be inwardly conformed to her virtues
and, at every moment, honour the name
that fills heaven and earth with gladness,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.

That all who invoke the Holy Name of Mary
may experience her nearness now and at the hour of death;
and that the praise of God may never depart
from the lips of those who celebrate her Name today,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.

Collect at the General Intercessions

Almighty and ever-living God,
who, in the Blessed Virgin Mary,
were pleased to give us a star
shining over life’s vast and stormy sea;
mercifully grant that when the winds of temptation arise
and we run upon the rocks of tribulation,
we may with confidence look at that star,
think of Mary, and call on her by name,
and so learn, with all the saints,
how rightly it is said that “the Virgin’s name was Mary.”
Through Christ our Lord.

(Cf. Saint Bernard, Sermon Two on the Glories of the Virgin Mother)

Images courtesy of Bellator Dei

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Mary, Coredemptrix

You are blessed among women, Co­redemptrix! Blessed One selected in pref­erence to all who are blessed! Chosen One, singular among all who are chosen! Priceless Pearl that belongs in the treasury of God’s wisdom! Mother, you are the Glory of Mo­thers! We seek you, O Lady, and in all sincerity turn to you in prayer. Help us in our weak­ness; turn away from us all disgrace. Who is more worthy of entreating the Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ than you, blessed Mary, who live with your Son and speak with Him? Speak, Mother, for your Son listens to you; and whatever you desire you will receive. In­voke His holy name in our behalf.

– St. Bernard (+1153)

O Mary, Mary, bearer of the fire of love, and dispenser of mercy! Mary, Co-redemptrix of the human race, when you clothed the Word with your flesh, the world was redeemed. Christ paid its ransom with His Passion and you paid it with the sorrows of your body and soul.

-St. Catherine of Siena

Papal Teachings on the coredemption of Our Lady

Again it must be stated that Mary’s participation in the redemption of the human family was completely and in every way secondary and dependent to the sacrifice of Jesus the Savior. Hence, the title Co-redemptrix should never be interpreted as Mary having an equal role in the salvation of the world with Jesus.

At the same time, her truly meritorious act of giving flesh to the Redeemer and of participating uniquely in Jesus’ painful sacrifice rightly won for her the title of Co-redemptrix. The Church’s Magisterium has unquestionably confirmed the completely subordinate but authentic co-redeeming role of the Mother of Jesus.

Let us cite a few papal examples:

+ Pope Benedict XV in his 1918 apostolic letter stated: “To such extent did she [Mary] suffer and almost die with her, suffering and dying Son, and to such extent did she surrender her maternal rights over her Son for man’s salvation … that we may rightly say that she together with Christ redeemed the human race” (Inter Sodalicia).

+ Pope Pius Xl (1922-1939) referred to Mary as the co-redemptrix no less than six times in various papal documents. One papal statement Pope Pius addressed Mary in these words, “0 Mother of piety, and mercy who, when thy most beloved Son was accomplishing the Redemption of the human race on altar of the cross, did stand there both suffering with Him, as a Co-redemptrix; preserve in us the precious fruit of Redemption and of thy compassion.”

+ Pope John Paul II specifically used the title Co-redemptrix in developing the understanding of Mary’s spiritual crucifixion at the foot of the cross: Crucified spiritually with her crucified Son (c£ Gal 2:20), she contemplated with heroic love the death of her God, she “lovingly consented to the immolation of this Victim which she herself had brought forth” (Lumen Gentium, No. 58) … as she was in a special way close to the Cross of her Son, she also had to have a privileged experience of his Resurrection. In fact, Mary’s role as coredemptrix did not cease with the glorification of her Son. – Mary entered, in a way all her own, into the one mediation “between God and men” which is the mediation of the man Christ Jesus [1 Tim2:5]. [W]e must say that through this fullness of grace and supernatural life she was especially predisposed to cooperation with Christ, the one Mediator of human salvation. And such cooperation is precisely this mediation subordinated to the mediation of Christ. In Mary’s case we have a special and exceptional mediation …

(Pope John Paul II: Redemptoris Mater, No. 39).

A decree of the Holy Office praises the custom of adding after the name of Jesus that of His Mother, our Co-Redetnptrix, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The same Congregation has indulgenced (Jan. 22nd, 1914) the prayer in which Mary is addressed as Co-redemptrix of the human race. Since the word ‘co-redemptrix’ signifies of itself simple cooperation in the work of redemption, and since it has received in the theological usage of centuries the very precise meaning of secondary and dependent cooperation…there can be no serious objection to its use, on condition that it be accompanied by some expression indicating that Mary’s role in this co-operation is secondary and dependent.

Fr. Reginald Garrigou-LaGrance OP (The Mother of Our Savior and Our Interior Life)

Mary’s co-operation in the Redemption.

The title Corredemptrix= Coredemptress, which has been current since the fifteenth century, and which also appears in some official Church documents under Pius X (and other Popes) must not be conceived in the sense of an equation of the efficacy of Mary with the redemptive activity of Christ, the sole Redeemer of humanity (1 Tim. 2, s).

As she herself required redemption and in fact was redeemed by Christ, she could not of herself merit the grace of the redemption of humanity Her co-operation in the objective redemption is an indirect, remote cooperation and derives from this that she voluntarily devoted her whole life to the service of the Redeemer, and, under the Cross, suffered and sacrificed with Him.

As Pope Pius XII says in the Encyclical “Mystici Corporis” (1943): She offered Him on Golgotha to the Eternal Father together with the holocaust of her maternal rights and her motherly love like a new Eve for all children of Adam As “The New Eve” she is, as the same Pope declares, in the Constitution” Muniticentissimus Deus” (1950), “the sublime associate of the Redeemer”.

Dr. Ludwig Ott (Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma)

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Dr. Mark Miravalle : Introduction to Mary, Advocate, Mediatrix and Coredemprix

Mary’s role as Mediatrix with Jesus, the one Mediator, has two fundamental expressions in the order of grace. First, Mary uniquely participated with Jesus Christ in reconciling God and man through the Redemption. For this role she has been called “Co-redemptrix” (meaning a secondary and subordinate participator in Jesus’ Redemption of the world).

Secondly, Mary gave birth to Jesus, source of all grace, she distributes the graces merited by Jesus on Calvary to human family. This role of Mary as the person responsible the distribution of graces is referred to as “Dispenser of all grace” or oftentimes by the more general title, “Mediatrix of graces”.

When the Church calls Mary the “Co-redemptrix,” she means that Mary uniquely participated in the Redemption of humanity with her Son Jesus Christ, although in a completely subordinate and dependent manner to that of her Son. Mary participated in Jesus’ reconciliation of the human family God like no other created person. Mary’s unique participation in the Redemption was scripturally foreshadowed in the prophecy of Simeon: “A sword shall pierce your own heart also.” (Lk. 2:35)

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Mary is our Co-redemptrix with Jesus. She gave Jesus his body and suffered with him at the foot of the Cross.

Mary is the Mediatrix of all grace. She gave Jesus to us, and as our Mother she obtains for us all his graces.

Mary is our Advocate who prays to Jesus for us. It is only through the Heart of Mary that we come to the

Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. The papal definition of Mary as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate will bring

great graces to the Church. All for Jesus through Mary. God bless you.

Letter of Endorsement for the Papal Definition of Mary Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate ,

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, August 14, 1993.

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PRAYER to Mary, Mediatrix and Co-redemptrix

O Mary, Mother of God, I believe that as mediatrix with Jesus you share also in His sovereign dominion over the universe. You are Queen because you are the Mother of the Word Incarnate. Christ is universal King be­cause He rules all creatures by His personal union with the Divinity. You brought Him into the world that He might be King, according to the words of the archangel, “His reign will be without end.”

You are Queen also because you are coredemptrix. Jesus reigns over us not only by natural right, but also by the right of redemp­tion. As cooperator with your Son in that work of redemption, you also acquired the right to reign with Him.

God chose you to be His Mother and by that very choice has associated you with Himself in the work of the salvation of men. Since you had your place beside Jesus when there was question of ransoming us and merit­ing for us all the graces necessary for our salva­tion, you must in like manner have your place beside Him now, when there is question of securing for us by your prayers in heaven the graces prepared for us in view of the merits of Christ. This is my hope: that you will be a mother to me and obtain for me the grace I need to save my soul.

Mother of Sorrows

My Son, could I have climbed this hill for You,
How willingly had I endured each stone:
Yet, I too struggled up steep Calvary;
You have not climbed alone!

Could I have borne the monstrous cross for You,
I would have carried it unto my death.
Though I could not, still I have felt its weight,
My Son, with every breath!

Oh, could I pluck these nails from Your loved flesh,
And driving them through mine, make them a part
Of my own body’s pain, I would! But Son,
I wear them in my heart!

Virginia Moan Evans
St. Anthony Messenger
March 1958

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Homily #120814 ( 18min) Play– On this solemnity of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, “Martyr of Charity”, “Apostle of Consecration to Mary”, and patron of the Franciscans of the Immaculate and “of our difficult century”, Fr. Bonaventure preaches on his heroic life, whose zeal was always inspired by and led to incomprehensible heights by the Immaculate Virgin. Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Maximilian Kolbe – Solemnity – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: wis 3:1 9
Resp: psa 116:1017
2nd: 1jo 3:13 18
Gsp: joh 15:12 17

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The Holy Mother’s Day All Year Long

May 13, 2013 By Paul Louis Metzger 2 Comments

Now that the venerable holiday—Mother’s Day—has passed, I would like to reflect upon what I will call the Holy Mother’s Day. Typically, Mary, the mother of the Lord, is honored at Annunciation, which occurred this year on Monday,  April 8, 2013. There is a sense in which every day should be this holy mother’s day, since she manifested the kind of radical obedience to God in honoring Christ that should be true of every Christian every day of the year.

via The Holy Mother’s Day All Year Long.

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Homily #140525b ( 17min) Play – Fr. Elias explains how Jesus spent the forty days between the Resurrection and the Ascension giving definitive proofs that He was truly risen, appearing and eating with them. He further explains how important this doctrine is for our salvation as are the Sacraments and devotion to Our Lady which also reveal the risen Lord to us.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Sunday 6th Week of Easter – Solemnity – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: act 8:5-8, 14-17
Resp: psa 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
2nd: 1pe 3:15-18
Gsp: joh 14:15-21

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #140712n ( 05min) Play – Father comment on the only thing which can kill both soul and body, and shows by citing Popes and Saints that a True Devotion to Mary is completely incompatible with sin, big or small. Let us ask Our Lady today for a hatred of sin, all sin. Sin has always been fashionable, but it is a bad fashion, and one truly worth saying “I wouldn’t be caught dead in it.”
Ave Maria!
Mass: Sts. John Jones and John Wall – Opt Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Saturday 14th Week of Ordinary Time
1st: isa 6:1-8
Resp: psa 93:1, 1-2, 5
Gsp: mat 10:24-33

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #140805n ( 03min) Play – In this beautiful homily, Fr. Matthias tells us that we find the King in the Palace and the High Priest in the Temple, and we find Our Lord deep in the center of His Palace and His Temple, the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the heart of our Marian Devotion, is Jesus!
Ave Maria!
Mass: Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major – Opt Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Tuesday in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time (Alt Gospel)
1st: jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
Resp: psa 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23
Gsp: mat 15:1-2, 10-14

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Homily #141007 ( 04min) Play – The recitation of the Holy Rosary is recommended to the faithful and obligatory for seminarians and religious because it is such a powerful prayer for obtaining grace and protection.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Our Lady of the Rosary – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: act 1:12-14
Resp: luk 1:46-55
Gsp: luk 1:26-38

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Homily #141013b ( 11min) Play – Fr. Elias on the 97th Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, Portugal where the Sun literally danced in the sky in plane sight of 70,000 people who gathered for the pre-announced event makes the private revelations of Our Lady of Fatima to the Children rather public, adding an extra need to take her message to heart.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Monday in the 28th Week in Ordinary Time – Wkdy – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1
Resp: psa 113:1-2, 3-4, 5, 6-7
Gsp: luk 11:29-32

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