Ave Maria!— May’s Theme: Mary Mediatrix

“He who falls into sin, who immerses himself in vice, who holds in contempt the divine graces sent him, who no longer looks at the good example of others, and who pays no heed to salutary inspirations and renders himself unworthy of receiving other graces, perhaps ought to fall into despair? No, never! Because he has a Mother who has been given him by God, a Mother who does not worry about the fact that he may be unworthy of the grace of mercy, because She is only the Mother of Mercy, for this reason She makes haste to fly to, even if not invoked, wherever the misery of souls is most gravely manifest.” (cf. SK #1094)

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Ave Maria!— June’s Theme: Divine Love

“Someone who wants to give the greatest joy possible, as much as is within his power, to the Immaculate, what does he do? He asks to borrow the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and, in this way, he is sure to infinitely surpass in love for the Immaculate all men and angels put together.” (cf. SK #616)

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O Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Pure crystal for my heart,

You are my strength, O sturdy anchor!

You are the weak heart’s shield and protection.
O Mary you are pure, of purity incomparable;

At once both Virgin and Mother,

You are beautiful as the sun, without blemish,

And Your soul is beyond all comparison.
Your beauty has delighted the eye of the Thrice – Holy – One.
He descended from heaven, leaving His eternal throne,

And took Body and Blood of Your heart,

And for nine months lay hidden in a Virgin’s heart.
O Mother, Virgin, purest of all lilies,

Your heart was Jesus’ first tabernacle on earth.

Only because no humility was deeper than yours.

Were You raised above the choirs of Angels and above all Saints.
O Mary, my sweet Mother,

I give you my soul, my body and my poor heart.

Be guardian to my life, Especially at the hour of death, in the final strife.

St. Faustina

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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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The Divine Mercy: MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY  “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy … ” For centuries people have invoked Mary under this title, and now, in modem times, Pope John Paul II has presented it to us again to emphasize the unique role Mary plays in God’s eternal plan of mercy. In his encyclical letter Rich in Mercy, he devotes an entire section to Mary, the “Mother of Mercy.” She is the one, he explains, who has the deepest understanding of God’s mercy, the one who, more than anyone else, deserved and received mercy. Called in a spe­cial way to share her Son’s mission to reveal His love, she continues to proclaim His mercy “from generation to generation” (9). For Saint Faustina, Mary was a constant source of God’s mercy, as mother, guardian, teacher, and intercessor. From Mary she received a special gift of purity, strength in suffering, and countless lessons on the spiritual life. “Mary is my Instructress,” she writes, “who is ever teaching me how to live for God (620) ‘” The more I imitate the Mother of God, the more deeply I get to know God  (843) … before every Holy Communion, I earnestly ask the Mother of God to help me prepare my soul for the coming of her Son (114) … She has taught me how to love God interiorly and also how to carry out His will in all things (40) ‘” 0 Mary, my Mother, I place everything in your hands (79) … You are joy, because through you God descended to earth and into my heart” (40).

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A Day With Mary #89 – ( 12min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

“Mary Mother of Mercy” : Sermon by Fr Eamonn Power. A Day With Mary (9.45am-5.15pm), Catholic Church of Mary, Mother of God, Ponders End, London. Saturday 2 March 2013.http://www.adaywithmary.net

Audio (MP3)

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Dr. Mark Miravalle on how Mary is the Mother of Mercy. In the three ways Jesus gives us His Mercy, Mary mediates.

1. She brings Jesus who is Mercy Incarnate into the world.
2. As Mediatrix of all Graces, this involves the grace of mercy.
3. As Advocate she asks her divine Son to have mercy on us. JPII 1980 Dives in Misericordis http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_30111980_dives-in-misericordia.html

This can be seen in the many apparitions of Mary in history and the many answered prayers directed to Mary in times of crisis, pointing to her as the answer for our difficult times.

For more information and resources:

• Phone: 740-937-2277
• Site: http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/
• Email: mary@motherofallpeople.com

Ave Maria!

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Dr. Mark Miravalle on how Our Lady is the mediator of mercy in this Year of Mercy. She is Mother of Mercy since she is Mother of Jesus our Redeemer. He relates this to her role as Coredemptrix, and Advocate.

For more information and resources:

• Phone: 740-937-2277
• Site: http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/
• Email: mary@motherofallpeoples.com

Ave Maria!

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Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay you with praise and thanks for having rescued a fallen world by your generous consent! Receive our gratitude, and by your prayers obtain the pardon of our sins. Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven and enable them to make our peace with God.

Holy Mary, help the miserable, strengthen the discouraged, comfort the sorrowful, pray for your people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God. May all who venerate you feel now your help and protection. Be ready to help us when we pray, and bring back to us the answers to our prayers. Make it your continual concern to pray for the people of God, for you were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear the Redeemer of the world, who lives and reigns forever. Amen.

 St. Augustine of Hippo

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