May....month of Mary

I've been doing some extra prayers and novenas for this month of Mary. It brought me great joy to see the above picture in a colouring page done by Catherine in school.

Last year I planted a bleeding heart...I thought it died. It is barely making it. Hopefully next year it will do better. Last night I planted a new version of a bleeding heart and an octopus bellflower in honour of Mary. Hopefully they do well.
I did my planters, planted a bunch of seeds, new perennials and I still have my annuals to plant in the front flower bed. When it's all done I'll post pics :)

Our Lady of Lourdes

Mother of God

January 1 is one of 2 Holy Days of Obligation in Canada (the other is Christmas Day). Last night at 5 o clock mass it was packed. People were standing in the back. The only other service is today at 11 am. I think it's sad that for a parish that had 8 services at Christmas only needs 2 for the other holy day.

Anyways I went with the whole family. It was nice because they had both priests so it didn't matter which line up I chose for the eucharist, I got a priest. I also was happy that we got to sing the first noel...my favourite Christmas hymn.



O Mary,
Mother of God
As You are above all creatures
in Heaven and Earth,
more glorious than the Cherubim,
more noble than any here below,
Christ has given You to His people,
firm bulwark and Protectress,
to shield and save sinners who fly unto You.
Therefore O Lady,
all embracing refuge,
we solemnly recall Your sweet protection,
and beg Christ forever for His mercy.
Amen

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Prayer toour lady of Guadalupe

O our Lady of Guadalupe, my mystical rose, make intercession for the Holy Churh, protec the Sovereign Pontiff, and help all those who invoke thee in their neessities. Since tough are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain forus from thy most holy Son, the grace of keeping our faith, sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, noble charity and the precios gift of final perserverance. Amen.



Missionaries who first came to Mexico with the conquistadors had little success in the beginning. After nearly a generation, only a few hundred Native Mexicans had converted to the Christian faith. Whether they simply did not understand what the missionaries had to offer or whether they resented these people who made them slaves, Christianity was not popular among the native people.

Then in 1531 miracles began to happen. Jesus' own mother appeared to humble Juan Diego. The signs -- of the roses, of the uncle miraculously cured of a deadly illness, and especially of her beautiful image on Juan's mantle -- convinced the people there was something to be considered in Christianity. Within a short time, six million Native Mexicans had themselves baptized as Christians.

The first lesson is that God has chosen Mary to lead us to Jesus. No matter what critics may say of the devotion of Mexicans (and Mexican descendants) to Our Lady of Guadalupe, they owe their Christianity to her influence. If it were not for her, they would not know her son, and so they are eternally grateful. The second lesson we take from Mary herself. Mary appeared to Juan Diego not as a European madonna but as a beautiful Aztec princess speaking to him in his own Aztec language. If we want to help someone appreciate the gospel we bring, we must appreciate the culture and the mentality in which they live their lives. By understanding them, we can help them to understand and know Christ. Our Lady of Guadalupe is patron of the Americas.



Prayer to or lady of Guadalupe

Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your apparitions on Mount Tepeyac you promised to show pity and compassion to all who, loving and trsting you, sek your help and protection. Accordingly, listen now to our supplications and grant us consolation and relief. We are full of hope that, relying on your help, nothing can trouble or affect us. As you have remained wih us through your admirable image, so now obtainfor us the graces we need. Amen


Juan Diego was born in 1474 in the calpulli or ward of Tlayacac in Cuauhtitlan, which was established in 1168 by Nahua tribesmen and conquered by the Aztec lord Axayacatl in 1467; and was located 20 kilometers (14 miles) north of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).


On December 9, 1531, a native Mexican named Juan Diego rose before dawn to walk fifteen miles to daily Mass in what is now Mexico City. Juan lived a simple life as a weaver, farmer, and laborer. That morning, as Juan passed Tepeyac Hill, he heard music and saw a glowing cloud encircled by a rainbow. A woman's voice called him to the top of the hill. There he saw a beautiful young woman dressed like an Aztec princess. She said she was the Virgin Mary and asked Juan to tell the bishop to build a church on that site. She said, "I vividly desire that a church be built on this site, so that in it I can be present and give my love, compassion, help, and defense, for I am your most devoted mother . . . to hear your laments and to remedy all your miseries, pains, and sufferings."

The bishop was kind but skeptical. He asked Juan to bring proof of the Lady's identity. Before Juan could go back to the Lady, he found out his uncle was dying. Hurrying to get a priest, Juan missed his meeting with the Lady. The Lady, however, met him on his path and told him that his uncle had been cured.

She then told Juan to climb to the top of the hill where they first met. Juan was shocked to find flowers growing in the frozen soil. He gathered them in his cloak and took them at once to the bishop.

Juan told the bishop what had happened and opened his cloak. The flowers that fell to the ground were Castilian roses (which were not grown in Mexico). But the bishop's eyes were on the glowing image of the Lady imprinted inside Juan's cloak.

Soon after, a church was built on the site where our Lady appeared, and thousands converted to Christianity. Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared the patroness of the Americas.

He died on May 30, 1548, at the age of 74.

Juan Diego deeply loved the Holy Eucharist, and by special permission of the Bishop he received Holy Communion three times a week, a highly unusual occurrence in those times.

Pope John Paul II praised Juan Diego for his simple faith nourished by catechesis and pictured him (who said to the Blessed Virgin Mary: “I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf”) as a model of humility for all of us.

In His Footsteps:
Juan walked fifteen miles to attend Mass every day. Participate in Mass one day this week that is not a Sunday Mass. If this is impossible, take a long walk outside and notice the miracles of God's love during that walk. You may not see roses in the snow or hear music, but there is plenty to praise God for!

Prayer
Blessed Juan, you faced the skepticism and rejection of a bishop and the crowds to bring Mary's message to Mexico. Pray for us that when we are faced with obstacles to our faith we may show that same courage and commitment. Amen


When I lived in Texas on the Mexican border Guadulupe was a very common name for females. And Jesus was common for men. Stuck me as odd...I would never name my son Jesus, but I might name my girl Guadulupe.

Miraculous Medal

I want to share the personal story I have with this medal.

10 years ago when I got pregnant with my son I was on the verge of deciding to become Catholic. I was on a drug called Accutane. It causes severe birth defects and most times you sign a waiver stating you'll abort if you become pregnant on it. Well I was never asked to sign that waiver. The dr who prescribed it told me there was a chance of birth defects and it was up to me. He urged for an abortion but I knew I couldn't do it. Never. No matter what. Even if it meant my child could be severally mentally challenged, even if it meant hydrocephalus, even if it meant little or no brain that was developed I could never go through with it.

I wore the miraculous medal. It was silver. I bought a cheap silver chain and wore it. One time at work the boy broke it. The mother was helping me at the time and she offered to buy me a new chain. I said no, just get me a safety pin so I can pin this medal to the inside of my shirt for now. She thought I was a nut. But I needed it on me. I went out after my shift and bought another chain and I've worn it ever since. My son was born perfectly fine. He gets almost straight A's...he would get straight A's if he didn't rush through things as much. LOL.

The only time I have taken the necklace off is for my c-section and when I had a x-ray. When I took it off for the x-ray the medal didn't come off the chain. It stuck to the back of my neck and was staying put. The tech noticed it with the next batch of x-rays. It just didn't want to leave me.

I was so grateful about my son being fine that I named my next daughter Catherine, after Catherine Laboure who had visions of the Virgin Mary and was instructed by Her to have the medal struck.

In almost 10 years I wore that medal daily. It was just in the past month that I changed it with a new one. The back of my old was so worn out it was flat. I'll have to get the Priest to bless it.

During the advent season I always think about Mary being pregnant and giving birth to baby Jesus and how it would compare to my own experiences. I am always drawn back to the medal and do this novena

Miraculous Medal Novena

O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother,
penetrated with the most lively confidence
in you all-powerful and never-failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal,,
we your loving and trustful children
implore you to obtain for us the graces
and favours we ask during this novena,
if they be beneficial to our immortal sous,
and the souls for whom we pray.
(State your intention here...)
You know, O Mary,
how often our souls have been
the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity.
obtain for us then a deep hatred of sin
and that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone
so that our every thought, word and deed
may tend to His greater glory.
Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial
that we may recover by penance
what we have lost by sin
and at length attain to that blessed abode
where you are the Queen of angels and of men.
Amen.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

PRAYER OF POPE PIUS XII

This prayer, dedicated to Mary Immaculate, was composed by the Pope for the Marian Year (December 8, 1953---December 8, 1954), which was proclaimed to mark the centenary of the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.



Enraptured by the splendor of thy heavenly beauty, and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into thine arms, O Immacuate Mother of Jesus and our Mother, Mary, confident of finding in thy most loving heart appeasement of our ardent desires, and a safe harbor from the tempests which beset us on every side.

Though degraded by our faults and overwhelmed by infinite misery, we admire and praise the peerless richness of sublime gifts with which God has filled thee, above every other mere creature, from the first moment of thy conception until the day on which, after thine assumption into Heaven, He crowned thee Queen of the Universe.

O crystal fountain of faith, bathe our minds with the eternal truths! O fragrant Lily of all holiness, captivate our hearts with thy heavenly perfume! O Conqueress of evil and death, inspire in us a deep horror of sin, which makes the soul detestable to God and a slave of Hell!

O well-beloved of God, hear the ardent cry which rises up from every heart. Bend tenderly over our aching wounds. Convert the wicked, dry the tears of the afflicted and oppressed, comfort the poor and humble, quench hatreds, sweeten harshness, safeguard the flower of purity in youth, protect the holy Church, make all men feel the attraction of Christian goodness. In thy name, resounding harmoniously in Heaven, may they recognize that they are brothers, and that the nations are members of one family, upon which may there shine forth the sun of a universal and sincere peace.

Receive, O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications, and above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with thee, we may repeat before thy throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around thine altars: Thou art all-beautiful, O Mary! Thou art the glory, thou art the joy, thou art the honor of our people! Amen.

Feast of the Presentation of Mary

"Hail, holy throne of God, divine sanctuary, house of glory, jewel most fair, chosen treasure house, and mercy seat for the whole world, heaven showing forth the glory of God. Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise, sanctuary dedicated to God and raised above all human condition, virgin soil, unplowed field, flourishing vine, fountain pouring out waters, virgin bearing a child, mother without knowing man, hidden treasure of innocence, ornament of sanctity, by your most acceptable prayers, strong with the authority of motherhood, to our Lord and God, Creator of all, your Son who was born of you without a father, steer the ship of the Church and bring it to a quiet harbor" (adapted from a homily by St. Germanus on the Presentation of the Mother of God).

Tuesday...

The Litany of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

For Private Use Only.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ,
graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.

Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without the stain of Original Sin,
pray for us.
Queen the most Holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
pray for us.

O Mother of Perpetual Help,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may love God with all my heart,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may in all things conform my will to that of thy Divine Son,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may always shun sin, the only real evil,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may always remember my last end,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may often and devoutly receive the Sacraments,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may avoid every proximate occasion of sin,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may never neglect prayer,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may ever remember to invoke thee,
particularly in time of temptation,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may always be victorious in the hour of temptation,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may generously pardon my enemies,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may arise quickly, should I have the misfortune
of falling into mortal sin,
Come to my aid. O loving Mother.
That I may courageously resist the seductions of evil companions,
Come to my aid. O loving Mother.
That I may be strong against my own inconstancy,
Come to my aid. O loving Mother.
That I may not delay my conversion from day to day,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may labor zealously to eradicate my evil habits,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may ever love to serve thee,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may lead others to love and serve thee,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may live and die in the friendship of God,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In all necessities of body and soul,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In sickness and pain,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In poverty and distress,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In persecution and abandonment,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In in grief and dereliction of mind,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In time of war, famine and contagion,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In every danger of sin,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When assailed by the evil spirits,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When tempted by the allurements of a deceitful world,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When struggling against the inclinations of my corrupt nature,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When tempted against the holy virtue of purity,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When death is nigh,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the loss of my senses shall warn me that my
earthly career is at an end,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the thought of my approaching dissolution shall fill me with fear and terror,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When at the decisive hour of death, the evil spirit will endeavor
to plunge my soul into despair,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the priest of God shall give me Extreme Unction,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When my friends and relations, surrounding my bed moved with compassion,
shall invoke thy clemency on my behalf,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the world will vanish from my sight, and my heart will cease to beat,,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When I shall yield my soul into the hands of its Creator,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When my soul will appear before its Sovereign Judge,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the irrevocable sentence will be pronounced,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When I will be suffering in Purgatory, and sighing for the vision of God,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.



Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord!.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, our powerful Mediatrix,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
O Almighty and merciful God, Who, in order to succor the human race, hast willed the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the Mother of Thy only-begotten Son, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her intercession we may avoid the contagion of sin and serve Thee with a pure heart, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.







O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying. O Purest Mary, O Sweetest Mary, let thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on thee, for, in all my needs, in all my temptations I shall never cease to call on thee, ever repeating thy sacred name, Mary, Mary.

Tuesdays

The Litany of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

For Private Use Only.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ,
graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.

Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without the stain of Original Sin,
pray for us.
Queen the most Holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
pray for us.

O Mother of Perpetual Help,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may love God with all my heart,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may in all things conform my will to that of thy Divine Son,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may always shun sin, the only real evil,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may always remember my last end,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may often and devoutly receive the Sacraments,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may avoid every proximate occasion of sin,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may never neglect prayer,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may ever remember to invoke thee,
particularly in time of temptation,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may always be victorious in the hour of temptation,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may generously pardon my enemies,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may arise quickly, should I have the misfortune
of falling into mortal sin,
Come to my aid. O loving Mother.
That I may courageously resist the seductions of evil companions,
Come to my aid. O loving Mother.
That I may be strong against my own inconstancy,
Come to my aid. O loving Mother.
That I may not delay my conversion from day to day,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may labor zealously to eradicate my evil habits,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may ever love to serve thee,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may lead others to love and serve thee,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
That I may live and die in the friendship of God,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In all necessities of body and soul,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In sickness and pain,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In poverty and distress,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In persecution and abandonment,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In in grief and dereliction of mind,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In time of war, famine and contagion,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
In every danger of sin,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When assailed by the evil spirits,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When tempted by the allurements of a deceitful world,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When struggling against the inclinations of my corrupt nature,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When tempted against the holy virtue of purity,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When death is nigh,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the loss of my senses shall warn me that my
earthly career is at an end,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the thought of my approaching dissolution shall fill me with fear and terror,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When at the decisive hour of death, the evil spirit will endeavor
to plunge my soul into despair,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the priest of God shall give me Extreme Unction,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When my friends and relations, surrounding my bed moved with compassion,
shall invoke thy clemency on my behalf,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the world will vanish from my sight, and my heart will cease to beat,,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When I shall yield my soul into the hands of its Creator,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When my soul will appear before its Sovereign Judge,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When the irrevocable sentence will be pronounced,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.
When I will be suffering in Purgatory, and sighing for the vision of God,
Come to my aid, O loving Mother.



Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord!.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, our powerful Mediatrix,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
O Almighty and merciful God, Who, in order to succor the human race, hast willed the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the Mother of Thy only-begotten Son, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her intercession we may avoid the contagion of sin and serve Thee with a pure heart, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.







O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying. O Purest Mary, O Sweetest Mary, let thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on thee, for, in all my needs, in all my temptations I shall never cease to call on thee, ever repeating thy sacred name, Mary, Mary.

My bleeding heart

I planted this on Mother's Day. Which also was Our Lady of Fatima feast day.
I planted it as a tribute to my heavenly mother...Mary.

Happy Mothers Day

Today we also celebrate Mothers Day in Canada.
I have sitting outside a bleeding heart, waiting to be planted and I'll say a prayer to Mary while doing so. I would plant roses for Mary but I have too much shade on my property for them to grow.

The kids are going to help me, the youngest is excited over it. How cute is that!!!!

I'll take a pic and post it later.

Our Lady of Fatima....May 13

O Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima
and reveal a glorious message.
We implore you,
inspire in our hearts a fervent love
for the recitation of the Rosary.
By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption
that are recalled therein
may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask,
through the merits of Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Redeemer.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament....May 13

Virgin Immaculate,
perfect lover of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament,
we ask you to obtain for us the graces we need
to become true adorers of our Eucharistic God.

Grant us, we beg of you,
to know Him better,
to love Him more,
and to center our lives around the Eucharist,
that is, to make our whole life a constant prayer
of adoration, thanksgiving, reparation, and petition
to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Amen.

V. Pray for us, 0 Virgin Immaculate,
Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of
Jesus Christ may come among us!

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for holy Church, protect the sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke you in their necessities, and since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life of burning charity, and the precious gift of final perseverance.

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE DOCTRINE

In the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of 8 December, 1854, Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."

Read more about it here.

And for the record: my Parish is called Immaculate Conception.

Did you remember it's Tuesday... Mother of Perpetual Help.
And yes I need help...LOL.

Off to say devotions to her.
I should have saved Tuesday and Friday pages before I deleted everything. Oh well.