St. Maximilian Kolbe on the Blessed Virgin
For Reflection:
Using the gift of your imagination, meditate on this quote. Which description strikes you the most? Why? How does it enhance your appreciation and understanding of Mary? In his writings, St. Maximilian Kolbe says to Our Lady with wonder, “Who are you, O Immaculata!” How does this quote incite the same wonder in you?
St. Louis de Montfort
For Reflection:
Consider all of the great saints who have had a deep devotion to Our Lady. List a few of their names. In them, how do you see the imitation of Mary? To what extent does this inspire you to trust yourself more and more to her care and maternal beatitude? Tomorrow’s GraceLine gives us more reason to consider our consecration to her.
St. Maximilian Kolbe
For Reflection:
How is it that Mary is queen even of God’s heart? How would this enhance the prayers we entrust to her? What is your greatest need at the moment? Formulate a prayer to Mary, Queen of God’s Heart and entrust your concern, worry, difficulty, desire to her now.
Mary to Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda
Mysticism-(etymology-relating to a mystery) a religious tendency and desore of the human soul toward intimate union with God through contemplation and love which is not sought for its own sake, and is always informed by revelation and ascetical theology. St. Thomas Acquinas defines it as cognition dei experimentalis (experiential knowledge of God). It does not necessarily include phenomena such as visions and ecstasies. True mysticism cannot be induced by techniques, practices, or effort. It is a gift from God, a consolation bestowed by Him and Him alone.
For Reflection:
According to the definition for mysticism, how do Mary’s words indicate this? How can we prepare ourselves to receive this outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Reread the quote for January 11. What does this good saint recommend we do? What one thing can you entrust to Mary today?
Following is just such an example. A woman called in and asked if I had a prayer to consecrate a baby to Mary. I quickly looked on line and gave her a suggestion or two but shortly after our broadcast, this beautiful prayer of consecration was sent in by one of our listeners. It had been printed in her parish bulletin that very week. Now that is the Holy Spirit at work!
Consecrating a baby to the Blessed Virgin is an ancient tradition as is consecrating oneself to Mary. When such a consecration is made, it is always with the understanding that it is to Jesus through Mary that the consecration is intended.
Following is the prayer submitted by our listener. I especially like it because it implores the help and assistance of each member of the Holy Family. The instructions printed with the prayer encouraged parents to pray the consecrations below for each of their children at least once during their lives. It reminded them that parents "can render no greater service to their children than to implore their salvation, and indeed, they will of necessity render almighty God an account of their efforts in this regard."
CONSECRATION OF ONE’S CHILDREN TO JESUS,
MARY AND JOSEPH
(Adapted from a prayer by St John Eudes and other sources.)
O Jesus, only Son of God, only Son of Mary, I come to Thee as an unworthy parent, and I humbly consecrate to thy Most Sacred Heart, now and for eternity, the soul of my child N. I surrender him/her to Thy sweet yoke and place him/her at the foot of Thy Cross. I offer Thee for him/her the most loving Heart of Thy Most Holy Mother Mary, which is more precious and pleasing to Thee than all hearts, and I beg Thee by her merits to show Thyself to him/her a Savior.
O Mary, Mother of Jesus, I come to Thee as an unworthy parent, and I humbly consecrate to thy Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, now and for eternity, the soul of my child N. I offer Thee for him/her the most adorable Heart of Thy Son Jesus, who is the life, love and joy of Thy own Heart, and I beg Thee by the infinite merits of the Divine Son, Thou who art our Mother in the order of grace, to obtain the grace of salvation for my child.
O glorious St. Joseph, I come to thee and ask thee to take under thy special protection my child N. I consecrate him/her to thee today, that through this consecration he/she they may become your foster child. Guard him/her, guide his/her steps in life, and form his/her heart after the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. O glorious St. Joseph, who felt the tribulation and worry of a parent when the child Jesus was lost, protect him/her for time and eternity. May you be his/her father and counselor. Preserve him/her from the corruption of this world, and obtain for us the grace to be united in heaven forever. Amen.
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