Day 54, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Friday August 21

Eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Pope Pius XII established the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on August 22, the Octave Day of the Feast of her glorious Assumption into Heaven. In honor of her glorious Heart, we present the following. How we should love this Immaculate Heart, the masterpiece of God's creation from which He drew His Sacred Humanity!

Of Mary' 's Charity towards God.

St. Alphonsus de Liguori, Glories of Mary

Saint Anselm says, that ' wherever there is the greatest purity, there is also the greatest charity.' The more a heart is pure, and empty of itself, the greater is the fullness of its love towards God. The most holy Mary, because she was all humility, and had nothing of self in her, was filled with divine love, so that ' her love towards God surpassed that of all men and angels,' as Saint Bernardine writes. Therefore, Saint Francis de Sales, with reason called her: 'the Queen of love.' God has indeed, given men the precept to love Him with their whole hearts: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart." But, as Saint Thomas declares, 'this commandment will be fully and perfectly fulfilled by men in heaven alone, and not on earth, where it is only fulfilled imperfectly.' On this subject, blessed Albert the Great remarks, that in a certain sense, it would have been unbecoming had God given a precept, which was never to have been perfectly fulfilled. But this would have been the case had not the Divine Mother perfectly fulfilled it. The Saint says: 'Either someone fulfilled this precept, or no one; if any one, it must have been the most Blessed Virgin.' Richard of Saint Victor confirms this opinion, saying, ' The Mother of our Emmanuel practiced virtues in their very highest perfection. Who has ever fulfilled, as she did, that first commandment, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart?" In her, Divine love was so ardent, that no defect of any kind could have access to her.'

'Divine love,' says Saint Bernard, 'so penetrated and filled the soul of Mary, that no part of her was left untouched ; so that she loved with her whole heart, with her whole soul, with her whole strength, and was full of grace.' Therefore Mary could well say: ' My beloved has given Himself all to me, and I have given myself all to Him: "My beloved to me, and I to Him."'' 'Ah! well might even the Seraphim,' says Richard, 'have descended from heaven to learn, in the heart of Mary, how to love God.'1 (rod, who is love, came on earth to enkindle in the hearts of all, the flame of His Divine love; but in no heart did He enkindle it so much as in that of His Mother; for her heart was entirely pure from all earthly affections, and fully prepared to burn with this blessed flame. Thus Saint Sophronius says, that ' Divine love so inflamed her, that nothing earthly could enter her affections; she was always burning with this heavenly flame, and, so to say, inebriated with it.' 

Hence, the heart of Mary became all fire and flames, as we read of her in the sacred Canticles: " The lamps thereof arc fire and flames;" fire burning within through love, as Saint Anselm explains it ; and flames shining without, by the example she gave to all in the practice of virtues. When Mary then was in this world, and bore Jesus in her arms, she could well be called: ' fire carrying fire,' and, with far more reason than a woman spoken of by Hippocrates, who was thus called, because she carried fire in her hand. Yes, for Saint Ildephonsus said, that 'the Holy Ghost heated, inflamed, and melted Mary with love, as fire does iron ; so that the flame of this Holy Spirit was seen, and nothing was felt but the fire of the love of God.' Saint Thomas of Villanova says, that the bush seen by Moses, which burnt without being consumed, was a real symbol of - Mary's heart. Therefore with reason, says Saint Bernard, was she seen by Saint John clothed with the sun: " And there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun;" 'for,' continues the Saint, 'she was so closely united to God by love, and penetrated so deeply the abyss of Divine Wisdom, that, without a personal union with God, it would seem impossible for a creature to have a closer union with Him.'

Day 52, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, Wednesday 19 August

Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ

Luke 2:6-18

And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people:

For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.

And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

Day 51, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Tuesday August 18

On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

~ from Munificentissimus Deus, Pope Pius XII, Defining the Dogma of the Assumption, November 1, 1950

39. We must remember especially that, since the second century, the Virgin Mary has been designated by the holy Fathers as the new Eve, who, although subject to the new Adam, is most intimately associated with him in that struggle against the infernal foe which, as foretold in the protoevangelium,(44) would finally result in that most complete victory over the sin and death which are always mentioned together in the writings of the Apostle of the Gentiles.(45) Consequently, just as the glorious resurrection of Christ was an essential part and the final sign of this victory, so that struggle which was common to the Blessed Virgin and her divine Son should be brought to a close by the glorification of her virginal body, for the same Apostle says: "When this mortal thing hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory."(46)

40. Hence the revered Mother of God, from all eternity joined in a hidden way with Jesus Christ in one and the same decree of predestination,(47) immaculate in her conception, a most perfect virgin in her divine motherhood, the noble associate of the divine Redeemer who has won a complete triumph over sin and its consequences, finally obtained, as the supreme culmination of her privileges, that she should be preserved free from the corruption of the tomb and that, like her own Son, having overcome death, she might be taken up body and soul to the glory of heaven where, as Queen, she sits in splendor at the right hand of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages.(48)

41. Since the universal Church, within which dwells the Spirit of Truth who infallibly directs it toward an ever more perfect knowledge of the revealed truths, has expressed its own belief many times over the course of the centuries, and since the bishops of the entire world are almost unanimously petitioning that the truth of the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven should be defined as a dogma of divine and Catholic faith--this truth which is based on the Sacred Writings, which is thoroughly rooted in the minds of the faithful, which has been approved in ecclesiastical worship from the most remote times, which is completely in harmony with the other revealed truths, and which has been expounded and explained magnificently in the work, the science, and the wisdom of the theologians - we believe that the moment appointed in the plan of divine providence for the solemn proclamation of this outstanding privilege of the Virgin Mary has already arrived.

Day 50, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Monday August 17

For Love of the Crucified

~ from Meditations on the Passion of Our Lord, St. Alphonsus de Liguori

And in truth, does it not seem folly that God who is Almighty and infinitely happy in Himself should be willing of His own accord to be scourged, treated as a mock king, buffeted, spat upon in the face, condemned as a malefactor, abandoned by all and left to die on a Cross of shame to save miserable worms He Himself had created? 

Considering these things, the enamoured St. Francis, as he went through the country, wept and exclaimed, ' Love is not loved! Love is not loved! ' Hence St. Bonaventure said that he who wishes to persevere in loving Jesus Christ should ever represent to himself his divine Lord hanging on the Cross and dying for him: 'Let him ever have before the eyes of his heart Christ dying on the Cross.

Oh! happy the soul that frequently puts itself in spirit in the presence of Jesus dying on the Cross, and remains there to contemplate with tender affection the pains which Jesus suffered, and the love with which He offered Himself to His Father as He lay agonizing on that bed of sorrow. Souls full of God's love, when hard pressed by temptations of the devil, and by fears for their eternal salvation, derive great comfort from considering in silence, and all alone, Jesus hanging on the Cross and shedding blood from all His wounds. At the sight of Jesus crucified all desire of the goods of this world leaves us, and there comes from this Cross a breath of heavenly air which causes us to forget the things of earth, and enkindles within us a desire to quit all in order to use the affections of our hearts only to love that Lord Who was pleased to die for love of us.

Day 48, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saturday August 15

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

~ from The Glories of Mary, St. Alphonsus de Liguori

Let us now consider how our Saviour went forth from heaven to meet His Mother. On first meeting her, and to console her, He said: “Arise, make haste, My love, My dove, My beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past and gone." Come, My own dear Mother, My pure and beautiful dove, leave that valley of tears, in which, for My love, thou hast suffered so much: " Come from Libanus, My Spouse, come from Libanus, come: thou shalt be crowned." Come in soul and body, to enjoy the recompense of thy holy life. If thy sufferings have been great on earth, far greater is the glory which I have prepared for thee in heaven. Enter then that kingdom, and take thy seat near Me; come to receive that crown, which I will bestow upon thee, as Queen of the universe.

Behold, Mary already leaves the earth, at which she looks with affection and compassion; with affection, remembering the many graces she had there received from her Lord; and with affection and compassion, because, in it she leaves so many poor children surrounded with miseries and dangers. But see, Jesus offers her His hand, and the Blessed Mother already ascends; already she has passed beyond the clouds, beyond the spheres. Behold her already at the gates of heaven. When monarchs make their solemn entry into their kingdoms, they do not pass through the gates of the capital; for, they are removed to make way for them on this occasion. Hence, when Jesus Christ entered paradise, the angels cried out: " Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in." Thus also, now that Mary goes to take possession of the kingdom of heaven, the angels who accompany her cry out to those within: ' Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the Queen of Glory shall enter in.'

Behold Mary already enters that blessed country. But on her entrance the celestial spirits, seeing her so beautiful and glorious, ask the angels without, as Origen supposes it, ' with united voices of exultation: " Who is this that cometh up from the desert, flowing with delights, leaning upon her beloved?"' And who can this creature, so beautiful be, that comes from the desert of the earth, a place of thorns and tribulation? But this one comes pure and rich in virtue, leaning on her beloved Lord, who is graciously pleased Himself to accompany her with so great honour? Who is she? The angels accompanying her answer: 'She is the Mother of our King; she is our Queen, and the blessed one among women, full of grace, the Saint of saints, the beloved of God, the immaculate one, the dove, the fairest of all creatures.' Then all the blessed spirits begin to bless and praise her, singing with far more reason than the Hebrews did to Judith: "Thou art the glory of Jerusalem; thou art the joy of Israel; thou art the honour of our people." Ah our Lady, and our Queen, thou then art the glory of paradise, the joy of our country, thou art the honour of us all ; be thou ever welcome, be thou ever blessed; behold thy kingdom; behold us also, who are thy servants, ever ready to obey thy commands.

All the Saints who were in paradise then came to welcome her, and salute her as their Queen. All the holy virgins came: “The daughters saw her and declared her most blessed; and they praised her." 'We,' they said, 'O most blessed Lady, are also queens in this kingdom, but thou art our Queen ; for thou wast the first to give us the great example of consecrating our virginity to God ; we all bless and thank thee for it.' Then came the holy confessors to salute her as their mistress, who, by her holy life, had taught them so many beautiful virtues. The holy martyrs also came to salute her as their Queen; for she, by her great constancy in the sorrows of her Son's Passion, had taught them, and also by her merits had obtained the strength to lay down their lives for the faith. Saint James, the only one of the Apostles who was yet in heaven, also came to thank her in the name of all the other apostles, for all the comfort and help she had afforded them while she was on earth.

The prophets next came to salute her, and said: ' Ah Lady, thou wast the one foreshadowed in our prophecies.' The holy Patriarchs then came and said: ' O Mary, it is thou who wast our hope; for thee it was that we sighed with such ardour, and for so long a time.' But amongst these latter came our first parents, Adam and Eve, to thank her with still greater affection. ‘Ah beloved daughter,' they said, 'thou hast repaired the injury which we inflicted on the human race; thou hast obtained for the world that blessing which we lost by our crime; by thee we are saved, and for it be ever blessed.' Saint Simeon then came to kiss her feet, and with joy reminded her of the day when he received the infant Jesus from her hands. Saint Zachary and Saint Elizabeth also came, and again thanked her for that loving visit which, with such great humility and charity, she had paid them in their dwelling, and by which they had received such treasures of grace. Saint John the Baptist came with still greater affection, to thank her for having sanctified him by her voice. But how must her holy parents, Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, have spoken when they came to salute her? Oh God, with what tenderness must they have blessed her, saying: ' Ah beloved daughter, what a favour it was for us to have such a child! Be thou now our Queen; for thou art the Mother of our God, and as such we salute and adore thee.'

But who can ever form an idea of the affection with which her dear spouse Saint Joseph came to salute her? Who can ever describe the joy which the holy Patriarch felt at seeing his Spouse so triumphantly enter heaven, and made Queen of Paradise? With what tenderness must he have addressed her: 'Ah, my Lady and Spouse, how can I ever thank our God as I ought, for having made me thy spouse, thou who art His true Mother! Through thee I merited to assist on earth the childhood of the Eternal Word, to carry Him so often in my arms, and to receive so many special graces. Ever blessed be those moments which I spent in life, in serving Jesus, and thee, my holy Spouse. Behold our Jesus; let us rejoice that now He no longer lies on straw in a manger, as we saw Him at His birth in Bethlehem. He no longer lives poor and despised in a shop, as He once lived with us in Nazareth; He is no longer nailed to an in famous gibbet, as when lie died in Jerusalem for the salvation of the world; but He is seated at the right hand of His Father, as King and Lord of heaven and earth. And now, oh my Queen, we shall never more be separated from His feet; we shall there bless Him, and love Him for all eternity.'

All the angels then came to salute her; and she the great Queen, thanked all for the assistance they had given her on earth, and more especially she thanked the arch angel Gabriel, who was the happy ambassador, the bearer of all her glories, when he came to announce to her, that she was the chosen Mother of God. The humble and holy Virgin, then kneeling, adored the Divine Majesty, and, all absorbed in the consciousness of her own nothingness, thanked Him for all the graces bestowed upon her by His pure goodness, and especially for having made her the Mother of the Eternal Word. And then, let him who can, comprehend with what love the Most Holy Trinity blessed her. Let him comprehend the welcome given to His Daughter by the Eternal Father, to His Mother by the Son, to His Spouse by the Holy Ghost. The Father crowned her by imparting His power to her; the Son, His wisdom; the Holy Ghost His love. And the three Divine Persons, placing her throne at the right of that of Jesus, declared her Sovereign of Heaven and earth; and commanded the angels, and all creatures to acknowledge her as their Queen, and as such to serve and obey her. Let us now consider, how exalted was the throne to which Mary was raised in heaven!

Day 47, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, August 14, Eve of the Assumption

Church of the Dormition, 

Eve of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Alphonsus de Liguori, The Glories of Mary

The life of Mary being now at its close, the most delicious music, as Saint Jerome relates, was heard in the apartment where she lay; and, according to a revelation of Saint Bridget, the room was also filled with a brilliant light. This sweet music, and the unaccustomed splendour, warned the holy Apostles that Mary was then departing. This caused them again to burst forth in tears and prayers, and raising their hands, with one voice they exclaimed: ' O, Mother, thou already goest to heaven; thou leavest us; give us thy last blessing, and never forget us miser able creatures.' Mary, turning her eyes around upon all, a3 if to bid them a last farewell, said, ' Adieu, my children, I bless you; fear not, I will never forget you.' And now death came, not indeed clothed in mourning and grief, as it does to others, but adorned with light and gladness. But what do we say? Why speak of death? Let us rather say that Divine love came, and cut the thread of that noble life. And as a light before going out, gives a last and brighter flash than ever ; so did this beautiful creature on hearing her Son's invitation to follow Him, wrapped in the flames of love, and in the midst of her amorous sighs, give a last sigh of still more ardent love, and breathing forth her soul, expired. Thus was that great Soul, that beautiful Dove of the Lord, loosened from the bands of this life; thus did she enter into the glory of the blessed, where she is now seated, and will be seated, Queen of paradise for all eternity.

Day 44, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Tuesday, August 11

St. Therese of Liseux Visits Rome

The charm and beauty of the Catholic Faith shines forth in her stories. One of the Church’s most cherished storytellers is the Little Flower, St. Therese. Always worthwhile spiritual reading, The Story of a Soul is enthralling, and contains many lessons on the holiness that is within our grasp. Like St. Therese, we must pursue Jesus with great persistence. St. Therese is a reminder from God that holiness is for everyone. I present here Therese's charming account of her meeting the Holy Father, Leo XIII on her pilgrimage to Rome.  

On Sunday morning, November 20, we went to the Vatican, and were taken to the Pope's private chapel. At eight o'clock we assisted at his Mass, during which his fervent piety, worthy of the Vicar of Christ, gave evidence that he was in truth the "Holy Father."

The Gospel for that day contained these touching words: "Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a Kingdom."60 My heart was filled with perfect confidence. No, I would not fear, I would trust that the Kingdom of the Carmel would soon be mine. I did not think of those other words of Our Lord: "I dispose to you, as my Father hath disposed to Me, a Kingdom."61 That is to say, I will give you crosses and trials, and thus will you become worthy to possess My Kingdom. If you desire to sit on His right hand you must drink the chalice which He has drunk Himself.62 "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into His glory?"63

A Mass of thanksgiving followed, and then the audience began. Leo XIII, whose cassock and cape were of white, was seated on a raised chair, and round him were grouped various dignitaries of the church. According to custom each visitor knelt in turn and kissed, first the foot and next the hand of the venerable Pontiff, and finally received his blessing; then two of the Noble Guard signed to the pilgrim that he must rise and pass on to the adjoining room to make way for those who followed.

No one uttered a word, but I was firmly determined to speak, when suddenly the Vicar-General of Bayeux, Father Révérony, who was standing at the Pope's right hand, told us in a loud voice that he absolutely forbade anyone to address the Holy Father. My heart beat fast. I turned to Céline, mutely inquiring what I should do. "Speak!" she said.

The next moment I found myself on my knees before the Holy Father. I kissed his foot and he held out his hand; then raising my eyes, which were filled with tears, I said entreatingly: "Holy Father, I have a great favour to ask you." At once he bent towards me till his face almost touched mine, and his piercing black eyes seemed to read my very soul. "Holy Father," I repeated, "in honour of your jubilee, will you allow me to enter the Carmel when I am fifteen?"

The Vicar-General, surprised and displeased, said quickly: "Holy Father, this is a child who desires to become a Carmelite, but the Superiors of the Carmel are looking into the matter." "Well, my child," said His Holiness, "do whatever the Superiors decide." Clasping my hands and resting them on his knee, I made a final effort: "Holy Father, if only you say 'yes,' everyone else would agree."

He looked at me fixedly and said clearly and emphatically: "Well, well! You will enter if it is God's Will." I was going to speak again, when the Noble Guards motioned to me. As I paid little attention they came forward, the Vicar-General with them, for I was still kneeling before the Pope with my hands resting on his knee. Just as I was forced to rise, the dear Holy Father gently placed his hand on my lips, then lifted it to bless me, letting his eyes follow me for quite a long time.

My Father was much distressed to find me coming from the audience in tears; he had passed out before me, and so did not know anything about my request. The Vicar-General had shown him unusual kindness, presenting him to Leo XIII as the father of two Carmelites. The Sovereign Pontiff, as a special sign of benevolence, had placed his hand on his head, thus appearing in the name of Christ Himself to mark him with a mysterious seal. But now that this father of four Carmelites is in Heaven, it is no longer the hand of Christ's Vicar which rests on his brow, prophesying his martyrdom: it is the hand of the Spouse of Virgins, of the King of Heaven; and this Divine Hand will never be taken away from the head which it has blessed.

This trial was indeed a heavy one, but I must admit that in spite of my tears I felt a deep inward peace, for I had made every effort in my power to respond to the appeal of my Divine Master. This peace, however, dwelt in the depths of my soul—on the surface all was bitterness; and Jesus was silent—absent it would seem, for nothing revealed that He was there.

On that day, too, the sun dared not shine, and the beautiful blue sky of Italy, hidden by dark clouds, mingled its tears with mine. All was at an end. My journey had no further charm for me since it had failed in its object. It is true the Holy Father's words: "You will enter if it is God's Will," should have consoled me, they were indeed a prophecy. In spite of all these obstacles, what God in His goodness willed, has come to pass. He has not allowed His creatures to do what they will but only what He wills. 

Sometime before this took place I had offered myself to the Child Jesus to be His little plaything. I told Him not to treat me like one of those precious toys which children only look at and dare not touch, but to treat me like a little ball of no value, that could be thrown on the ground, kicked about, pierced, left in a corner, or pressed to His Heart just as it might please Him. In a word I wished to amuse the Holy child and to let Him play with me as He fancied. Here indeed He was answering my prayer. In Rome Jesus pierced His little plaything. He wanted to see what was inside . . . and when satisfied, He let it drop and went to sleep. What was He doing during His sweet slumber, and what became of the ball thus cast on one side? He dreamed that He was still at play, that He took it up or threw it down, that He rolled it far away, but at last He pressed it to His Heart, nor did He allow it again to slip from His tiny Hand. Dear Mother, you can imagine the sadness of the little ball lying neglected on the ground! And yet it continued to hope against hope.

Day 43, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, Monday August 10

Hail Mary

The Hail Mary is the most beautiful of all prayers after the Our Father. It is the most perfect compliment which you can give to Mary, because it is the compliment which the Most High sent her by an archangel, in order to win her heart; and it was so powerful over her heart by the secret charms of which it is so full, that in spite of her profound humility she gave her consent to the Incarnation of the Word. It is by this compliment also that you will infallibly win her heart, if you say it as you ought.

The Hail Mary well said— that is, with attention, devotion, and modesty - is, according to the saints, the enemy of the devil which puts him to flight, and the hammer which crushes him. It is the sanctification of the soul, the joy of the angels, the melody of the predestinate, the canticle of the New Testament, the pleasure of Mary, and the glory of the most Holy Trinity. The Hail Mary is a heavenly dew which fertilizes the soul. It is the chaste and loving kiss which we give to Mary. It is a vermilion rose which we present to her; a precious pearl we offer her; a chalice of divine ambrosial nectar which we proffer to her.

de Montfort, St. Louis (2015-05-18). True Devotion to Mary:With Preparation for Total Consecration (Kindle Locations 2423-2434). KIC.Kindle Edition.

Day 41, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Saturday August 8

Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It takes only a short time to pray seven Hail Marys while meditating on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The benefits of praying this daily are enormous:

The Seven Promises of this Devotion

  1. I will grant peace to their families.

  2.They will be enlightened about the Divine mysteries. 

  3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work. 

  4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls. 

  5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives. 

  6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother. 

  7. I have obtained this Grace from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

SEVEN SORROWS of Our Lady

1. The prophecy of Simeon. (St. Luke 2:34, 35)
2. The flight into Egypt. (St. Matthew 2:13, 14)
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple. (St. Luke 2: 43-45)
4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
5. The Crucifixion.
6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
7. The burial of Jesus.

Day 39, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6

August 6, Feast of the Transfiguration

Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 17:1-9
At that time, Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves, and was transfigured before them. And His face shone as the sun, and His garments became white as snow. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking together with Him. Then Peter addressed Jesus, saying, Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You will, let us set up three tents here, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elias. As he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear Him. And on hearing it the disciples fell on their faces and were exceedingly afraid. And Jesus came near and touched them, and said to them, Arise, and do not be afraid. But lifting up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus cautioned them, saying, Tell the vision to no one, till the Son of Man has risen from the dead.
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.

Day 38, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Wednesday August 5

Our Lady of Sorrows

Judith 13: 22, 23-25

The Lord hath blessed thee by His power, Who by thee hath brought our enemies to nought. Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth.

Blessed be the Lord Who made Heaven and earth, because He hath so magnified thy name this day, that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men, who shall be mindful of the power of the Lord forever; for that thou hast not spared thy life by reason of the distress and tribulation of thy people, but hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God.

Day 37, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, Tuesday, Feast of St. Dominic, 4 August

Novena 4, Day One, THANKSGIVING

August 4, Feast of St. Dominic

St. Dominic Receives the Rosary from Our Lady (from Secret of the Rosary, St. Louis de Montfort)

Since the Holy Rosary is composed, principally and in substance, of the Prayer of Christ and the Angelic Salutation, that is, the Our Father and the Hail Mary, it was without doubt the first prayer and the first devotion of the faithful and has been in use all through the centuries from the time of the Apostles and disciples down to the present.

But it was only in the year 1214, however, that Holy Mother Church received the Rosary in its present form and according to the method we use today. It was given to the Church by Saint Dominic who had received it from the Blessed Virgin as a powerful means of converting the Albigensians and other sinners.

I will tell you the story of how he received it, which is found in the very well-known book "De Dignitate Psalterii" by Blessed Alan de la Roche. Saint Dominic, seeing that the gravity of people's sins was hindering the conversion of the Albigensians, withdrew into a forest near Toulouse where he prayed unceasingly for three days and three nights. During this time he did nothing but weep and do harsh penances in order to appease the anger of Almighty God. He used his discipline so much that his body was lacerated, and finally he fell into a coma.

At this point Our Lady appeared to him, accompanied by three angels, and she said:

"Dear Dominic, do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity wants to use to reform the world?"

"Oh, my Lady," answered Saint Dominic, "you know far better than I do because next to your Son Jesus Christ you have always been the chief instrument of our salvation."

Then Our Lady replied:

"I want you to know that, in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter which is the foundation stone of the New Testament. Therefore if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter."

So he arose, comforted, and burning with zeal, for the conversion of the people in that district he made straight for the Cathedral. At once unseen angels rang the bells to gather the people together and Saint Dominic began to preach.

At the very beginning of his sermon an appalling storm broke, out, the earth shook, the sun was darkened, and there was so much thunder and lightning that all were very much afraid. Even greater was their fear when looking at a picture of Our Lady exposed in a prominent place they saw her raise her arms to heaven three times to call down God's vengeance upon them if they failed to be converted, to amend their lives, and seek the protection of the Holy Mother of God.  God wished, by means of these supernatural phenomena, to spread the new devotion of the Holy Rosary and to make it more widely known.

At last, at the prayer of Saint Dominic, the storm came to an end, and he went on preaching. So fervently and compellingly did he explain the importance and value of the Holy Rosary that almost all the people of Toulouse embraced it and renounced their false beliefs. In a very short time a great improvement was seen in the town; people began leading Christian lives and gave up their former bad habits.

Day 36, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Monday August 3

The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Assumption, and the Souls in Purgatory -  St. Alphonsus de Liguori, Glories of Mary

Mary not only consoles and relieves her clients in Purgatory, but she delivers them by her prayers. Gerson says, “On the day of her Assumption into Heaven Purgatory was entirely emptied.” Novarinus confirms this, saying, “it is maintained by many grave authors, that when Mary was going to Heaven, she asked, as a favour from her Son, to take all the souls then in Purgatory with her.” And from that time forward,” says Gerson, “Mary had the privilege of delivering her servants.” Saint Bernardine of Siena also positively asserts, “the Blessed Virgin has the power of delivering souls from Purgatory, but particularly those of her clients: by her prayers, and by applying her merits for them.” Novarinus says, “By the merits of Mary, not only are the pains of those souls lessened, but the time of their sufferings is shortened through her intercession.” She has only to ask, and all is done. Saint Peter Damian relates, “a lady, named Marozia, appeared after her death to her godmother, and told her that on the feast of the Assumption, she, together with a multitude exceeding the population of Rome, had been delivered by Mary from Purgatory.” Denis the Carthusian says, “On the feasts of the Nativity and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Mary does the same thing; for on those days, accompanied by choirs of angels, she visits that prison, and delivers very many souls from their torments.” 

The promise made by our Blessed Lady to Pope John XXII is well known. She appeared to him, and ordered him to make known to all, that on the Saturday after their death, she would deliver from Purgatory all who wore the Carmelite scapular. This, as Father Crasset relates, was proclaimed by the same Pontiff in a Bull, which was afterwards confirmed by Alexander V, Clement VII, Pius V, Gregory XIII, and Paul V; and this latter, in a Bull of the year 1612, says, “Christian people may piously believe that the Blessed Virgin will help them after death, by her continual intercession, her merits and special protection, and that on Saturdays, the day consecrated by the Church to her, she will, in a more particular manner, help the souls of the brethren of the confraternity of our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel, who have departed this life in a state of grace, provided they have worn the habit, observed the chastity of their state, and recited her office, or, if they could not recite it, if they have observed the fasts of the church, and abstained from meat on all Wednesdays except Christmas Day [today, the daily recitation of the Rosary is also substituted. - ed.]

In the solemn office of our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel, we read that it is piously believed that the Blessed Virgin comforts the brethren of this confraternity in Purgatory with maternal love, and that by her intercession she soon delivers them, and takes them to Heaven. Why should we not hope for the same graces and favours, if we are devout clients of this good Mother? And if we serve her with more special love, why can we not hope to go to Heaven immediately after death, without even going to Purgatory? This really took place in the case of blessed Godfrey, to whom Mary sent the following message, by Brother Abondo: “Tell Brother Godfrey to endeavour to advance rapidly in virtue, and thus he will belong to my Son and to me; and when his soul departs, I will not allow it to go to Purgatory, but will take it and offer it to my Son.” And if we wish to relieve the holy souls in Purgatory, let us do so by imploring the aid of our Blessed Lady in all our prayers, and especially by offering the Rosary for them, as it relieves them greatly. (Glories of Mary pp. 194-196, electronic version, Google books, 1852, London, Redemptorist Fathers) 

Day 35, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, 10th Sunday after Pentecost August 2

Gospel for Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 18:9-14
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves as being just and despised others. Two men went up to the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and began to pray thus within himself: ‘O God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men, robbers, dishonest, adulterers, or even like this publican. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I possess.’ But the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went back to his home justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.

Server. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
Celebrant. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.

Day 34, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, First Saturday, August 1

First Saturday Devotion

Why did Our Lady ask for reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on First Saturdays? And why is it important in our day? Please click here to find out more.