Her Feet Shod with Holiness
And, if our faith had given us nothing more
Than this Example, of all Womanhood,
So mild, so merciful, so strong, so good,
So patient, so peaceful, loyal, loving, pure -
This were enough to prove it higher and truer
Than all the creeds the world had known before.
Virgin, who lovest the poor and lonely,
If the loud cry of a mother's heart
Can ever ascend to where thou art,
Into thy blessed hands and holy
Receive my prayer of praise and thanksgiving
Let the hands that bore our Savior bear it
Into the awful presence of God;
For thy feet with holiness are shod,
And, if thou bearest it, he will hear it.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
For Reflection:
What qualities does Longfellow cite that underscore for him why Mary is the "Example of all Womanhood?" Which of these virtues do I most need to acquire? Why does Longfellow say Mary's prayers are efficacious? Offer a prayer to her for the virtue you have said you need the most.Â
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"The Immaculata must conquer the whole world for herself, and each individual soul as well, so that she can bring all back to God. This is why we must acknowledge her for what she is, and submit to her reign, which is all gentleness."
St. Maximilian Kolbe
For Reflection:
To what extent has the Immaculata conquered me? Am I willing to "acknowledge her for what she is," and submit to her gentle reign?
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"The Immaculata must conquer the whole world for herself, and each individual soul as well, so that she can bring all back to God. This is why we must acknowledge her for what she is, and submit to her reign, which is all gentleness."
St. Maximilian Kolbe
For Reflection:
To what extent has the Immaculata conquered me? Am I willing to "acknowledge her for what she is," and submit to her gentle reign?
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"God sends to us the one who personifies his love: Mary, the spouse of the Spirit - a spirit of maternal love - immaculate, all beautiful, spotless, even though she is our sister, a true daughter of the human race."
St. Maximilian Kolbe
For Reflection:
How have I experienced an increase in Mary's maternal love through my meditations of the Grace Lines this month? Have I experienced an increase of God's love? In what specific ways?
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"I have placed you in the care of my holy Mother, as a deposit in trust, so that she may fashion you according to my pattern."
Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque
For Reflection:
In what way do Jesus' words to St. Margaret Mary speak to the wonderful cooperation between Mother and Son in the work of a soul? If Jesus trusts His mother in such a way, should I not trust her, too?
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"Devotion to Mary is not the whole of our religion. The whole of our religion is Jesus. But whoever gives himself to Mary is led by her to her Son."
Brother Marie- Leonard
For Reflection:
Mary desires to lead me to her Son, Jesus Christ. What one Marian devotional practice can I include in my daily life specifically for this purpose?
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"Love of the Blessed Virgin is not a complication nor an aside in Christianity, for, as doctrine and experience prove, Mary naturally turns us toward Jesus, and by Him toward the Father, in the Holy Spirit."
Bishop Louis Joseph Kerkhofs
For Reflection:
How have I seen this to be true in the lives of the saints? To what extent has this been true in my own life?
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"Mary takes care of all, even of sinners; indeed she glories in being called in a special manner their advocate."
St. Alphonsus Liguori
For Reflection:
Since Mary desires to advocate for sinners in a special way, I should be completely at peace knowing she is advocating for me. Who else would I like to entrust to her special mediation?
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"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
For Reflection:
Just as Our Lady spoke these words to Juan Diego, she speaks them to each one of us as well. How does this help me move forward in my confidence to entrust myself to her?
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"I entrust you all to Mary most holy, our Mother in heaven, the Star of the Sea of our life: pray to her every day, you children! Give your hand to Mary most holy, so that she may lead you to receive Jesus in a holy way."
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
Do I entrust myself and all that belongs to me to Mary? If not, what do I hold back and why?
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