This week, we celebrated the 100th birthday of St. John Paul II.
During his life, he saw much change in the world and in the Church. He lived through both the Nazi and Communist regimes, the Cold War, Vatican II and the aftermath of confusion from its misappropriation, as well as the beginning of the scandals in the Church. He survived an assassination attempt and was a public witness to the challenges of living with a debilitating disease that transformed him from a vigorous athlete to someone who struggled to walk a few steps on his own. He was a man who was intimately familiar with suffering and spiritual battle.
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EH asks:
"Are tinctures considered new age? Here is a comment from a friend of mine I received in an email who is considering using a tincture as a digestive aide: 'I found out that...(it) is called tincture for people with digestive disorders whose intestines cannot absorb...it is not called homeopathic in writing at all... it is called an alcohol tincture and things like cayenne pepper are soaked in the 12 percent alcohol so I am trying to see what I can find out about tinctures...'"
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A youth group minister alerted us to a trance-induction game known as Red-Door-Yellow-Door which is enjoying enormous popularity at sleepovers and on the teen social media platform, TIKTOK, even though it has left many players shaken and afraid.
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May 19
“As maternal Mediatrix, Mary presents our desires and petitions to Christ, and transmits the divine gifts to us, interceding continually on our behalf.”
-St. John Paul II
Today's Reflection
Today completes your novena of prayer. Journal the insights, inspirations, graces you have received in light of your request. According to this definition for “Mediatrix,” how has Mary been your Mediatrix and your Queen Mother? Consider a most pleasing way to show her your gratitude. What is it?
Follow through.
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May 18
“God seeing that we are unworthy to receive His graces directly from Him, gives them to Mary so that we might receive from her all that
He decides to give us.”
-St. Louis Grignion de Montfort
Today's Reflection
What do you think it means that we are “unworthy” to receive God’s graces directly? (Refer to Luke 5:8, for example.) Read pages 206-209 in Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life about Mary’s role as Queen Mother (Note: If you do not have the book, go to
www.thecatholictreasurechest.com and scroll to The Queenship of Mary). How does this quote from St. Louis de Montfort illustrate Mary as Queen Mother? Imagine Mary receiving from God the grace you most need to have today. Now imagine her giving it to you. Receive it from her with love and gratitude.
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May 17
“Am I not here who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my Arms? Do you need anything more?"
-Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego
Today's Reflection
Just as Our Lady spoke these words to Juan Diego, she speaks them to each one of us as well. Which of the maternal images Mary provides most speaks to you? Why? How does this help you move forward in you confidence to entrust yourself to her? Consider that Mary says she is the “source” of our joy? Why is this so? Tomorrow’s Grace Line gives you one reason.
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May 16
"The conviction that Mary is close to those who are suffering or in situations of serious danger has prompted the faithful to invoke her as 'Benefactress.' The same trusting certainty is expressed in the most ancient Marian prayer with the words, “We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin (from the Roman Breviary)."
-St. John Paul II
Today's Reflection
Note the phrase, “trusting certainty.” List some reasons why you think the Blessed Mother is worthy of our trusting certainty. “Benefactress” is a woman who does good. As daughter of the Father, mother of the Son, and spouse of the Holy Spirit, why is Mary the exemplary benefactress? In what one way can you seek to emulate her today?
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May 15
“…that good Mother makes herself so present and so near to her faithful servants, to enlighten them in their darkness and their doubt, to strengthen them in their fears, and to sustain them in their struggles and difficulties, that…this virginal path to find Jesus Christ is a path of roses and honey.”
-St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, True Devotion, 152
Today's Reflection
The definition for “helper” includes the idea of one who causes an improvement in a situation or person. How does this quote show Mary to be a helper? How can her very presence improve us or our situation? What might be the “roses” and “honey” that Mary uses to make our path to Jesus sweet even in trials and fears and setbacks? Have you experienced her maternal beatitude in this way? How?
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May 14
“The love that this good mother bears us is so great that as soon as she perceives our wants, she comes to our assistance.
She comes before she is called.”
-Richard of St. Lawrence
Today's Reflection
Consider Mary’s love in light of her title of Immaculate Conception (Paragraphs 490-493 Catechism of the Catholic Church). Why do you think her love is the greatest love any creature can have for another? To what extent does this increase your confidence in her maternal beatitude?
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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSHistory was made in May 2017 when Women of Grace® founder, Johnnette Benkovic, now Johnnette Williams, delivered a message about the dignity and vocation of women on the world stage at the United Nations - a message delivered while standing in the shadow of the same Pilgrim Virgin Statue that first visited this global entity 65 years ago!
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