"Mary must be terrible to the devil and his crew, as an army ranged in battle, principally in these latter times, because the devil, knowing that he has but little time, and now less than ever, to destroy souls, will every day redouble his efforts and his combats. He will presently raise up cruel persecutions and will put terrible snares before the faithful servants and true children of Mary, whom it give him more trouble to conquer than it does to conquer others."
-St. Louis De Montfort, True Devotion to Mary
Today’s Reflection:
What does this passage reveal to you about the times in which we live and your role in them?
August 11th, the Feast of Saint Clare of Assisi (1194 – 1253), offers an opportunity to explore the life of a woman of shining virtue. Her religious vocation was a direct outgrowth of that of her contemporary and mentor, the beloved Saint Francis (1182 – 1226).
"It is not an empty flattery to bestow on Mary the title of Queen of the Apostles. Just as she assisted the Apostles, the teachers of the infant church with the support and advice of a mother, so we must affirm that at all times and in all ways she accords her assistance to all those who inherit the office of the Apostles."
-Pope Benedict XV
Today’s Reflection:
Mary's role as Queen of Apostles did not end with the coming of the Holy Ghost. In fact, it was only beginning. Just as she interceded for the Apostles and the early Church, she desires to intercede for us in our task of conquering the world for Christ, through the power of her spouse, the Holy Spirit.
Our Lord Jesus confided His mother to us. She gave Him natural life. She gives us supernatural life. She sustains and nurtures supernatural life in us by the grace of light, love, and strength that she obtains on our behalf through her intercession.
As Christ's militants, we are called to imitate Mary, as a spiritual mother to others, through our own intercession, prayers, and love. Who can you spiritually mother today?
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein, 1891 – 1942)
She was a brilliant scholar, a contemplative mystic, and a “liberated” feminist. At various times she was also a devout Jew, an atheist, a philosopher, a Catholic, and a Carmelite nun. Hers was a heart that hungered for truth, with a passion that burned with such purity and clarity that Pope John Paul II, whose own Mulieris Dignitatem and “Letter to Women” bear the unmistakable imprint of her spirit, canonized her less than fifty years after her death at Auschwitz.
As the country mourns the loss of 34 people in the recent spate of mass murders, both the Church and scientists are warning that these shootings are an epidemic that has proven to be contagious due to the extensive media coverage that inspires copy-cat crimes.
We receive numerous requests for information about products that allegedly shield the human body from electro-magnetic fields (EMF) emitted by cell phones, computers, wifi, and other devices. While there is evidence that some forms of EMF exposure increase the risk of cancer, consumers need to beware of the burgeoning market for so-called EMF shields than are often more hype than help.
"To repair the damage done by our first parents, divine Mercy devised a 'plan of revenge' modeled so to speak, on the plan of our defeat. God willed that at the side of the New Adam there should be a 'New Eve,' Mary. Just as a fallen angel, disguised as a serpent, suggested disobedience to the first Eve, so the good angel, Gabriel, asked obedience of Mary."
-Emil Neubert, SM, STD
Today’s Reflection:
What does this quote reveal to you about the role of obedience in your call
to imitate Mary?