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“Men do not fear a powerful hostile army

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“If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted,

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“The Immaculata alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan.

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A penitent said to St. Pio of Pietrelcina, “Padre, today they say the Rosary is out of date,

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"Let the storm rage and the sky darken –

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“In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary,

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“Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides shelter and strength for the sinner.”

                                        - St. Anthony of Padua  

For Reflection:

If Mary is the “city of refuge,” in what part of her would we experience most fully her love and beatitude? How has she been a city of refuge for you? What quality of her motherhood of all men does this express according to the quote? Note the use of the word “the” in the phrase, “Mary is the ‘city of refuge.’” What does this indicate to you? What does it indicate in light of Mary’s role in God’s plan of salvation?

 

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Mary Virgin and Mother 

Oh, Virgin Joy of all the world art thou

In whose white, fragrant steps the countless throng

On souls elect doth follow God with song:

Creation’s Queen, whose bright and holy brow

The multitude of Saints, like stars, endow

With changeful splendors, flashing far and strong:

 

The Main unshadow’d by the primal wrong:

God’s Lily, chosen in His shrine to bow

All these thy glories are, and still a grace

More high, more dread, and yet more sweet and fair,

Doth bind thy royal brows, O Mary blest.

God called thee Mother; yea, His sacred face

The tender likeness of thine own doth wear.

And thou art ours --- we trust Him for the rest.

-St. Elizabeth Seton 

For Reflection:

Today is the Solemnity of Mother of God. What references do we see to this title of Mary in the Saint’s poem? Which touches you most deeply and why? Consider the title the Saint gives to Our Lady – Creation’s Queen. Ponder the way in which all of creation’s surrender to God is found most perfectly in Mary’s “fiat” to God. Journal your thoughts. How can you unite your “yes” to God in hers?

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“Don’t be discouraged if you do not see the good you do. Most of the time people are helped through obscurity, their hidden sacrifices, instead of the fervor of a clamoring apostolate. Above all, let us try to lay aside our own ego, for this is what ruins everything. 

                                                           - Venerable Thecla Merlo 

For Reflection: 

Dear St. Sylvester, 

You were the Vicar of Christ when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism  caused great discord and division within the Church. How often you must have felt the pain and suffering being endured by the body of Christ! But, instead of losing courage, you persevered and the Church came through this difficult time. Today, I ask for your intercession. Obtain for me the grace I need to remain steadfast in adversity, courageous in contradiction, and persevering in trial. Thank you for your prayers and supplications on my behalf. Amen.

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“Without the Way, there is no going; without the Truth, there is no knowing;

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