Week 2 theme: "MOTHER OF GOD"
READING -TENTH DAY- Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 59-65 (Or pages 71-77 on the online book. You can find the link here:) http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/71/mode/1up St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Chapter title: MODESTY, A CHARACTERISTIC OF MARY'S LIFE Mary's hidden life possesses a characteristic that distinguishes it from that of Jesus. ...Mary's life is always the same, simple and hidden, profoundly humble and modest. Modesty was a characteristic of her piety, of her virtues, and of all her actions. Mary was modest in her exterior. ...We too should try to avoid attracting attention to ourselves, by modesty of behavior, if we wish to resemble our Blessed mother in her life. Mary was modest in the world...She spoke no word in her own praise, nor did she bring forward her title Mother of God, nor the power and glory of her Son in order to gain esteem of men. ... Mary was modest in her duties. She fulfilled them with sweetness, without eagerness, always satisfied, always prepared to take up some new duty. ...She is therefore a beautiful model for all those who wish to live the life of Jesus Eucharistic. The life of an adorer, consecrated to the service of the Eucharistic King, is composed of little sacrifices which God alone sees and rewards. The lowliness of his service constitutes all the honor, all the joy of his filial devotedness, and his sole ambition is to please his Master by the constant sacrifice of self. Mary was modest in her piety. Mary, elevated to the highest degree of prayer to which any creature can attain, lived in the habitual exercise of perfect love, exalted about all the Angels, and by her dignity of Mother of God an order apart in the wonders of God. ... ...Her humility saw only the goodness of God. ...Behold the great secret of perfection: to know how to find it in what is most simple; to know how to nourish it in what is most common;.... Let us love the little virtues of Nazareth, those hidden virtues that are born at the foot of the Cross, under the shadow of Jesus and Mary; then shall we fear neither the tempest that shatters the cedars, nor the thunderbolt that strikes the mountain top. Mary was modest in her sacrifices. ... She was modest in enduring the anguish of her holy spouse. ...(She) waited for Heaven to vindicate her virtue, calmly abandoning herself to Divine Providence. With her heart pierced with sorrow, Mary followed her Son bearing His Cross;...plunged in an immeasurable sorrow, a sorrow as deep as her love, Mary suffered in silence;... Finally, Mary was modest in her glory, and this is the most wonderful triumph of Mary's modesty. Mary by reason of her remarkable dignity as Mother of God has the right to the homage of the universe; yet Mary retained only that anguish and the sacrifice of her motherhood. ... If, then, we desire to be true children of this loving Mother, we must clothe ourselves with her modesty. ...Let her modesty be the rule of our conduct. ... Modesty is the sovereign virtue of an adorer, since it is the virtue of the servants of kings, and the virtue of the Angels in the Divine Majesty. ...We must be modest even as Mary, in the service of Jesus! Practice-Let us try to show in our life the modesty of Jesus and His holy Mother. Aspiration-We bless thee,O chaste Dove, who didst bring to us the olive branch, and who didst predict Jesus Hostia, who will save us from spiritual deluge. MEDITATION We are the children of the Mother of God, this modest mother, who carried the Son of God into the world. This existence of God's life will continue to be transferred through the love of Mary's children, through the incarnation of her Son living in us. We are marked by our Baptism as adopted children of God. The promise of the Father has been kept through Our Holy Redeemer, Jesus Christ, given to us by Mary. We have a responsibility to be heirs to the King, to bear witness to the love of God. "And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required."(Luke 12:48) We who are consecrated must carry the love of God into the world. We may not be scholars, theorists or theology majors but we can, by our own personal relationship with the Heavenly Father, learn to give of ourselves. Mary's modesty clothed her entire existence into the comfort of our creator. She had full confidence in the love of God for her. Mary's tears continue to fall from the beatific vision for all that is lost. Her tears fall in modesty, in hope that we who love her will fight for those who without Jesus live in the incurable wound of original sin. We fight through the continued life of modesty, the hidden life of prayer and the offering of our wills to God. We have been given much. We have much love to return in modesty to Jesus through the Mother of God. The fidelity of our love is part of the trustworthiness that is scarce to be found in our day. St. Peter Julian said, "Mary by reason of her remarkable dignity as Mother of God has the right to the homage of the universe; yet Mary retained only that anguish and the sacrifice of her motherhood". We are called to mother the world, to sacrifice for the lost and lonely, to pray for those who persecute us. May we be Mary's reliable children to bear the responsibility of the souls of our brothers and sisters. "The life of an adorer, consecrated to the service of the Eucharistic King, is composed of little sacrifices which God alone sees and rewards. The lowliness of his service constitutes all the honor, all the joy of his filial devotedness, and his sole ambition is to please his Master by the constant sacrifice of self," (St Peter Julian Eymard) This consecration preparation should be taking us somewhere, or rather closer to Someone: JESUS! Let the Mother of God take us to her Divine Son in modest submission to God's will for our lives. SEND Make a perpetual promise to recite a spiritual communion prayer if you cannot get to daily Mass; the faith you place into the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Continue to journal and prepare for a good and humble confession. Think of ways you can sacrifice in humble service to God. Offer something that will help you identify with another. For Week II, to accompany the daily readings, please recite the Litany of the Holy Ghost. You may choose to continue the Ave Maris Stella and Veni Creator throughout the preparation weeks. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us, -Laura PRAYER Litany of the Holy Ghost Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, have mercy on us Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us. Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, hear us Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us. Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us Author of all good, have mercy on us Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us Consuming fire, have mercy on us Ardent charity, have mercy on us Spiritual unction, have mercy on us Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well. Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice. Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let Us Pray Grant, 0 merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. R. Amen.
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Week 2 theme: "MOTHER OF GOD" READING -Ninth Day- Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 54-58 (Or pages 67-71 on the online book. You can find the link here:) http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/67/mode/1up St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Chapter title: THE INTERIOR LIFE OF MARY Mary adorned with all gifts, enriched with all virtues, incomparable in merit, appeared to the world under a most ordinary exterior. ...Her life was passed in silence and obscurity, and the Gospel narrative says nothing about it. This was because Mary was supposed to be an illustrious model of the hidden life--a life hidden in God with Jesus Christ-a life which we should strive to honor and faithful copy in our conduct. I wish to show that the law of holiness which God follows in our souls, is the very same that He followed in Mary. ...The Eternal Father gave her all her virtues as Mother; the Son, all graces of Redemption; the Holy Ghost, the grace of love. ...Must we not therefore conclude that the retired, interior life is the most perfect? The exterior life, even when dedicated to God is less perfect. ...The Saints were formed on His Model. To be a friend of God, one must be ground to powder, reduced to nothing, annihilated as Jesus and Mary were. Hence I say, if we wish to become saints, we must become interior souls. ...Without this interior spirit how can we pray? If in the presence of our Lord we cannot spend a single instant without a book, if we have nothing to say to Him from our own heart, what are we going to do at Adoration? ...Let us strive to become recollected, interior souls. ... Without the interior life we shall never receive any consolation, encouragement in prayer; we shall only be unhappy at the feet of our Lord. If we wish to become true adorers, we must have this interior spirit. ... But to discover the Heart of Jesus we must be interior. ...He speaks to the recollected soul. He is wholly interior in the Blessed Sacrament: ...When the soul does not expand in His presence it is because He does not act upon it- there is some obstacle in His path. ...Oh, how I should wish to see accomplished in us what was so fully realized in the Blessed Virgin: "The kingdom of God is within you"-the kingdom of love, of virtue, and of all interior graces! ...In order to grow strong, to endure, we must descend to the very depths, even to self-annihilation. There we shall find Jesus. He is there annihilated:...Oh, may that the Blessed Mother, our perfect exemplar of the interior life, make us live, as she did, in Jesus! May we like her, remain always in him and never leave Him! Practice- Let us strive to live in recollection and in union with Jesus present in us, in imitation of our Mother. Aspiration- O Mary, true daughter of the King, all thy glory is in thy interior, because Jesus dwells therein. MEDITATION The chapter readings are so rich one could get lost in all that is before us not knowing what to absorb in the multitude of so much wisdom. Lets begin with a question, if someone asked you "What is this consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament?" Or better yet, if God asked you, "What is this consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament?" Would the answer be, "Well, I have to accomplish the daily readings, the daily BLOG, my daily Marian prayers, litanies, and of course the Holy Rosary..."? Although these are all hoped to be achieved to prepare for this consecration promise they would not hold any merit to God without the gift of ourselves. The purity of our intentions offered in return for God's great love are an entrance into the answer. The interior life we are called to, going back to the hidden light given in humility, this humble service, would be the right direction to the correct response to God's question: "What does this consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament mean to you?" St. Peter Julian shares his very heart with us in the conclusion to chapter nine with the grace Mary led him to which he expresses in these words, " BUT IT WAS THROUGH MARY THAT GOD MADE HIS WILL KNOWN TO HIS SERVANT." St. Peter Julian continues, "humbly submitting to the will of God,..." The handing over of our will to the Divine Will, so God's life may live through us, is our consecration promise to Jesus through Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. The answer is in the Will, the continued fiat, the continued yes, the continued good that will be accomplished through us. Do not let anything stop you if you have chosen this devotion. Falling behind on the readings is of no importance if you have the intention to read when you can. This is a time to be with our Mother. She will always take us to the Mercy of Jesus, lead us to the will of God, and direct us to the guide of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we strive to embrace all the devotions that raise our hearts and minds to God. The greatest thereof is to try to find time to Adore before the Eucharistic Lord, along with the practice of receiving daily Holy Communion or making a fervent spiritual Communion. Yet, the handing over of our will in humble submission allowing God to live his life through us, is the continued conquering of original sin. We will always have in our human nature inclination to sin. Pride is hard to kill. Humility can begin with a simple choice; we can make a practice to turn all things to God, His goodness, his life, in us. With every simple choice placed before us we can try to choose through prayer what would be pleasing to Our Father. This is what Our Lady did. She immersed herself into the life of the Trinity. The life He had prepared for her was no battle for her; Mary rather entered into the battle that would be won. Our Blessed Mother lived in the grace of God, in His peace, in His love, even amid the crosses, toils and disappointments of the sins of the world. Even standing at the foot of the Cross her will was handed over to The Promise of the Father. St. Peter Julian tells us one has said everything when one calls Mary the MOTHER OF GOD! She looks for nothing, yet we can in loving return say: Yes Mary, you are deserving of this title. We have recourse to thee. We love thee. Guide us to the will of the Father. SEND Make a perpetual promise to recite a spiritual communion prayer if you cannot get to daily Mass; the faith you place into the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Continue to journal and prepare for a good and humble confession. Think of ways you can become more attentive to your relationship with the Mother of God! For Week II, to accompany the daily readings, please recite the Litany of the Holy Ghost. You may choose to continue the Ave Maris Stella and Veni Creator throughout the preparation weeks. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Laura PRAYER Litany of the Holy Ghost Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, have mercy on us Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us. Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, hear us Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us. Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us Author of all good, have mercy on us Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us Consuming fire, have mercy on us Ardent charity, have mercy on us Spiritual unction, have mercy on us Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well. Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice. Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let Us Pray Grant, 0 merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. R. Amen. Week 2 theme: "MOTHER OF GOD" READING -EIGHTH DAY- Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 49-53 (Or pages 63-66 on the online book. You can find the link here:) http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/63/mode/1up St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Chapter title: The Dignity of the Divine Maternity Mary, Mother of Jesus the Son of God,... Behold the sublime praise that the Gospel bestows on Mary! The Holy Ghost praise neither her gifts nor her virtues.... Because she was to be the mother of God she was given all sanctifying grace, all honor. When one calls her "Mother of God," one has said everything.... Mary came to restore the human race, to restore to motherhood that crown of honor and nobility which Eve lost by her sin. Satan uncrowned our first mother: Mary reinstates her.... Mary conceived God; she bore in her virginal womb, the Savior of the world, the source of love;... Behold the strong woman, "the Mother" par excellence. ... Crown of authority-this, then, is the second privilege of her Divine Maternity!... There was also given to Mary a crown of glory..... Mary gave birth to the Savior in joy. She knew not the pain of maternity. The Savior in passing through her womb bequeathed his glory, and Mary will be Queen because she has given to the world Jesus Christ, King. She is Queen of the angels, Queen of the Church.... This, then, is the honor, the dignity, and the glory of the Divine Maternity: Mary is honored, powerful and glorious in Jesus and by Jesus. She is His Divine Mother! Practice-We should frequently receive the God of the Eucharist as a remedy against concupiscence, and as a safeguard of innocence. Aspiration- Hail, Mary! spiritual Paradise of God, in which flourished the spotless and fragrant Lily, Jesus Eucharistic! MEDITATION St. Peter Julian Eymard states that one has said everything when one calls Mary, "Mother of God". Mary is Mother of the Church, Mother of the Divine Maternity, Mother of the living Word of God. Mary is Mother of Love! It may seem like a typical title for Week II, Mother of God. However, if we take the words of St.Peter Julian and proclaim them in AWE, they will become what he said: EVERYTHING! Mary is Mother of God and our Mother; this is personal; this is our Mother; this is our life in the Catholic Church. We are blessed to have a Mother. We are called within this upcoming week, Week II of this consecration preparation promise, to find ways to stay close to Mother. This relationship must be nourished by our love as her children. We have the gifts and we are called to use them. Otherwise they will be passed on to others. St Peter Julian Eymard pleads with us to find the Eucharistic Jesus; to conquer the concupiscence of sin. Jesus is our only hope. The Mother of God helps us find Him; Jesus Eucharistic! All devotions should be helping us to find Divine charity. This is the end all that will be before us when we see the face of Jesus. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament will help us find the grace and wisdom of her Son. We pray to Jesus through Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament's intercession. We immerse ourselves into the Holy Rosary as her children. We pray the life of Jesus Christ on these beads and then apply the virtues connected to all of these Sacred Mysteries to our own lives. We pray the scriptures when we pray the Most Holy Rosary. Our consecration will move our hearts to make our Blessed Mother greater known and loved. This love for Mary can only point to the ultimate love, that of her Divine Son in the Blessed Sacrament. We are called to adorn her altars; to make the great solemnities and feast days devoted to her special. We are to unite in a special fidelity as her consecrated children. We who are called to take a vow, this consecration vow, are called to love more in her name for the glory of the One whom we worship, Jesus Christ. Proclaim the name, Mother of God. We offer these words in each Hail Mary, "HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS". Every time we recite the Hail Holy Queen we say, "PRAY FOR US O HOLY MOTHER OF GOD...That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ, AMEN!" The Promise of the Father has given us a great gift. We thank God by loving Mary, and asking her how to love the Son of the Father, this is a small return for a priceless gift. This week we keep the reflections alive in our heart by the way of prayer. We honor this Mother of God like St. Peter Julian Eymard invites us to in the Chapter as a commandment, "Honor thy Father and thy Mother." We honor Jesus by praying to our Mother, so she may intercede for us! These words are worth repeating from St. Peter Julian: "Mary gave birth to the Savior in joy. She knew not the pain of maternity. The Savior in passing through her womb bequeathed his glory, and Mary will be Queen because she has given to the world Jesus Christ, King. She is Queen of the angels, Queen of the Church". Mary! Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us. Laura SEND Make a perpetual promise to recite a spiritual communion prayer if you cannot get to daily Mass, the faith you place into the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Continue to journal and prepare for a good and humble confession. Think of ways you can become more attentive to your relationship with the Mother of God! For Week II, to accompany the daily readings, please recite the Litany of the Holy Ghost: You may choose to continue the Ave Maris Stella and Veni Creator throughout the preparation weeks. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Laura PRAYER Litany of the Holy Ghost Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, have mercy on us. Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us. Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, hear us. Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us Author of all good, have mercy on us Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us Consuming fire, have mercy on us Ardent charity, have mercy on us Spiritual unction, have mercy on us Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well. Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice. Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let Us Pray Grant, 0 merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. R. Amen. Week I theme: "MARY! TEACH US THE LIFE OF ADORATION!". READING Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 45-48 (Or pages 60-63 on the online book. You can find the link here: http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/60/mode/1up St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Chapter title: The First Adorer of the Incarnate Word Behold my model, my mother, Mary, the first adorer of the Incarnate Word in her womb!... In what did the perfection of Mary's adoration consist, at the first moment of the Incarnation? It was an adoration of humility, of self annihilation before the sovereign majesty of God because, impelled by so much benevolence and love for her and all mankind, He had made choice of her, His humble handmaid, to be the mother of the Messiah. ... The second of Mary's acts of adoration would naturally be one of Joyous gratitude for God's ineffable and infinite goodness to man; ... Gratitude is an outpouring of the soul.... The third act of the Blessed Virgin's adoration would have been an act of oblation, of self-sacrifice: the entire gift of herself, of her life, to the service of God... The last act of Mary's adoration was, doubtless, an act of tender compassion for poor sinners, for whose salvation the Word became Incarnate. ... She offered herself to do penance for them, in order to obtain their pardon and their return to God. ... She begged for them the happiness of knowing their Creator and their Redeemer; the grace of loving and serving Him, and thus rendering to the Most Holy Trinity the honor and glory which is Their due.... O that I could adore our Lord as Mary did, for I possess Him, as she did, in Holy Communion!... I desire henceforth to adore Thee in union with the Mother of adorers, the Queen of the Cenacle. Practice-Let us make our thanksgiving after Holy Communion very faithfully, in union with Mary. Aspiration- O Mary, I have received thy well-beloved Son, and I shall never let Him go! MEDITATION Amazing that this chapter is day seven; it simultaneously echoes Sunday! "And God had finished on the seventh day his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made" (Gen 2:2). God can rest in us as we are transformed into His love. Transformation is the gift of formation. The Incarnation that continues His life through us promises infinite goodness to man. We are grateful to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. This is the greatest formation, a personal relationship with God Who becomes Incarnate in us. Transformation can only happen when we try to remain in God's Grace. Love is the real transformation. Like Mary, we will become joyous in our gratitude of God's life in us. St. Peter Julian Eymard tells us "Gratitude is an outpouring of the soul". The cenacle of our hearts becomes united to the cenacle of the Upper Room, where the Promise of the Father is fulfilled. God the Father is with us; the Promise remains with us on the Altar of the Lord. Jesus directs and guides us in our union with Him. We need to remain connected to this promise: "I am the vine; you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Like Mary, oblation and compassion will be the fruit of Jesus forming His life in our souls upon the reception of Holy Communion. The heart of God offers us reciprocity in our love for Him. Mary teaches us her way of returning love by penance for those who are so lost and hurt that they cannot even pray. We pray with her for them. This act makes us children of Mary, who keeps us in the mantel of her cares. MARY! TEACH OF THE LIFE OF ADORATION! SEND We pray through Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. Continue to pray through the guidance of the Holy Spirit when you journal. Keep your examination of conscience in the evening. Offer a spiritual Communion prayer if you cannot get to daily Mass. The faith you place into the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Think of ways to keep Sunday more Holy! Please pray the Ave Maris Stella to accompany the daily readings for Week I. You may choose to continue the recitation of the Veni Creator. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Laura PRAYER Ave Maris Stella Hail bright star of ocean, God's own Mother blest, Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heavenly rest. Taking that sweet Ave, Which from Gabriel came, Peace confirm within us, Changing Eva's name. Break the captives' fetters, Light on blindness pour, All our ills expelling, Every bliss implore. Show thyself a Mother; May the Word Divine, Born for us thy Infant, Hear our prayers through thine. Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Freed from guilt, preserve us, Pure and undefiled. Keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure, Till we find in Jesus, Joy forevermore. Through the highest heaven To the Almighty Three, Father, Son and Spirit, One same glory be. Amen. Week I theme: "MARY! TEACH US THE LIFE OF ADORATION!". READING Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 38-44 (Or pages 54-69 on the online book. You can find the link here:) http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/54/mode/1up St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Chapter title: The Annunciation ...for Mary to have been chosen to cooperate in the work of the Incarnation of the Word-the grandest of all divine works!... The world believes only too willingly that perfection is found in greatness... But the Angel seeks out a lowly virgin... He comes to Mary!... So the angel comes to a virgin. God admits only pure souls to His friendship. He pardons the sinner, but He unites Himself only to purity... Mary alone is full of grace... He dwells in the purity of thy heart, O Mary,... Mary is the aurora that separates light from darkness... Mary was troubled at the words of praise addressed to her,... true virtue never recognizes itself... And Mary replies: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Be it done to me according to thy word!"... She pleased the Lord by her virginity, she conceived Him by her humility... Silence and modesty are the safeguards of purity... This mystery of the Annunciation ennobles us. for it brings God back to earth. It is, at the same time, a mystery entirely interior, a mystery of Communion. Communion, Jesus Eucharistic becomes, in a manner, Incarnate in us, and Communion is the object of His Incarnation. By communicating worthily we enter into the Divine plan, we complete it... Mary did not receive the Word for herself alone. She rejoiced that we should be able to participate in her happiness. ... Let us strive to imitate her virtues so that Jesus Christ may find in us, as in His holy Mother, a dwelling worthy of Him... Practice- We should try to avoid any word, and noise, any distraction, when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Aspiration_ The fruit of my womb, Jesus in the Sacred Host, is more precious than the purest gold or the costliest gems. MEDITATION "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matt 5:8). St. Peter Julian tells us that we should strive to imitate the virtues of Our Lady so that Jesus may find in us, as He did in His holy Mother, a dwelling worthy of Him. We enter into His Divine plan by the reception of Holy Communion; Jesus is then Incarnate in us. In following these key points from Chapter six we unlock the message by remaining on topic. We enter into her maternal womb with humility, purity, and by the mystery of Holy Communion. Our free will brings us the same FIAT Mary rejoiced in. The choices we make safeguard our purity. We need to protect our choices with prayer begging light from the Eucharist. Prudence is to be fought for; we need to intercede with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament to ask about things to be done, with the knowledge of things that ought to be avoided. Prudence will keep us in the Divine plan. Keep in mind the great connection of our bodies and souls. Fasting can help purify us keeping our senses mortified thus finding a way to better identify with God and others. Mortifying our senses to perfection will help purify us heart, mind, body and soul. Our Mother would want us to care for our bodies for they are temples of the Holy Spirit, so fasting outside of the requirements from the Catechism should be guided by the direction of a Priest. Our Lady's life in God was not for herself. It was a supernatural life of love that was to be given and continues to be given to us. Mary! Teach us the Life of Adoration SEND If you cannot get to daily Mass, offer a spiritual Communion; the faith you place into the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Please pray the Ave Maris Stella to accompany the daily readings for Week I. You may choose to continue the daily recitation of the Veni Creator. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Laura PRAYER Ave Maris Stella Hail bright star of ocean, God's own Mother blest, Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heavenly rest. Taking that sweet Ave, Which from Gabriel came, Peace confirm within us, Changing Eva's name. Break the captives' fetters, Light on blindness pour, All our ills expelling, Every bliss implore. Show thyself a Mother; May the Word Divine, Born for us thy Infant, Hear our prayers through thine. Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Freed from guilt, preserve us, Pure and undefiled. Keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure, Till we find in Jesus, Joy forevermore. Through the highest heaven To the Almighty Three, Father, Son and Spirit, One same glory be. Amen. Week I theme: "MARY! TEACH US THE LIFE OF ADORATION!". READING Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 33-37 (Or pages 49-54 on the online book. You can find the link here:) http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/49/mode/1up St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Chapter title: Mary's Presentation in the Temple Mary had no childhood in the ordinary sense of the word. All her faculties were directed towards God, for He was her very life.... ...little Mary was always called to conciliate the disputants and impart to them that peace which she carried with her wherever she went. She lived a very simple life.... She was the servant of all.... It is her hidden life in the Temple that Mary should be our model. God had her even suspecting the great mission that she was to fulfill. ... Silence and seclusion are the soul of great things....So it is with us; if we wish to grow we must hide ourselves, we must remain unknown to the world, otherwise the demon will raise up many contradictions and the wind of self-love will destroy us. ... Our Lord has prepared us a long time. He has hedged us about with graces from our infancy, in order to introduce us into the cenacle of his Eucharist. ... He is in our midst; He is with us always. Let us imitate the silence, the solitude, the hidden life of our Blessed Mother. ... Let us, then, love the simple, hidden life, the obscure employments of our state in life; let us find our happiness in being unknown; let us hide the tiny flame of our lamp under a bushel, for the least breath of wind may extinguish it. ... Mary gave herself promptly, unreservedly, and forever. She gave Him her mind, her heart, her liberty--she kept nothing back. Oh, let us give all to Jesus Eucharistic, who gives Himself entirely to us... Let us rely on His grace and on our Mothers intercession, and when opportunity offers, let us recall her perfect oblation of herself to God. Her example will be our strength and encouragement. ... Practice-Let us repeat incessantly: "Mary and Jesus! Jesus and Mary!" Aspiration- "They found the Child with Mary His Mother, and falling down they adored him." MEDITATION We read the words left to us by St. Peter Julian Eymard and our hearts are elevated to the truth, like it usually is with the writings of the saints. Day five continues on by painting a picture of Mary's purity. Her life in God from a very early age manifests itself taking the purity of her life of love into service. Mary's in tune presentiment inclined her heart that she would be doing great things for the Almighty. Her virtues and desire for reconciliation were an innate God given quality that she acted upon; she offered peace to all. If silence and seclusion are the soul of great things, we need to become a living prayer within them. Whatever duties our life calls us to, we offer them with a greater awareness that we are offering them in the presence of God and for His greater purpose no matter how mundane they may seem to us. Mary, willing, unreservedly, and forever can offer herself with ease by living in the Divine presence. Offering our day to the Lord first thing in the morning helps us to place ourselves in the presence of God. By offering our daily duties in the spirit of God's love we set ourselves before Him desiring His peace in knowing we are striving to do His will. We present ourselves to God just like Mary was presented in the Temple; she held nothing back. "Oh, let us give all to Jesus Eucharistic, who gives Himself entirely to us". Pray for a strong desire to receive Holy Communion. It is there that the Divine presence will continue to fill us with a great hope and longing for Heaven. St Peter Julian Eymard tells us to hide the tiny flame. This tiny flame offering is our confidence in the reality of GOD's life in us. When this true acknowledgement is made we become like Mary, a great flame blazing for Jesus of which St. Peter Julian further shares in many of his writings. We trust that God sees the humble offering of our lives in the hidden flames of love we give to Him. He is never outdone in His generosity. These deeds will glorify the Heavenly Father. His light will then shine through us before others. "Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father" (Matt 5:16). MARY! TEACH US THE LIFE OF ADORATION! The Promise of the Father awaits us there. SEND Pray through Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. If you cannot get to daily Mass, strive to obtain the practice of offering a spiritual communion prayer. The faith you place into it will be the grace you receive back. Continue to journal. Plan on a making a good confession with the specific intention for your consecration vows. Mary's desire was always to impart peace, pray to bring peace to a relationship or situation that may be awaiting the intercession of your prayer and service. Please pray the Ave Maris Stella to accompany the daily readings for Week I. You may choose to continue the daily recitation of the Veni Creator. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Laura PRAYER Ave Maris Stella Hail bright star of ocean, God's own Mother blest, Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heavenly rest. Taking that sweet Ave, Which from Gabriel came, Peace confirm within us, Changing Eva's name. Break the captives' fetters, Light on blindness pour, All our ills expelling, Every bliss implore. Show thyself a Mother; May the Word Divine, Born for us thy Infant, Hear our prayers through thine. Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Freed from guilt, preserve us, Pure and undefiled. Keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure, Till we find in Jesus, Joy forevermore. Through the highest heaven To the Almighty Three, Father, Son and Spirit, One same glory be. Amen. Week I theme: "MARY! TEACH US THE LIFE OF ADORATION!". READING Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 28-32 (Or pages 45-49 on the online book. You can find the link here:) http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/45/mode/2up . St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Let us rejoice in the birth of our Queen and Mother, which filled heaven with joy, earth with hope, and hell with terror!... The Word willed to be born of a royal mother. ... Earthly pomp does not constitute royalty, that is only its outward show; ... However, the day was to come on which Mary's royalty, as that of her son, would be proclaimed and receive due honor. ... But before that day should come, He had to win it back by a life of humility, poverty, and suffering. Mary possessed all supernatural greatness. Supernatural greatness is but the reflection of God upon a creature whom He associates Himself in power and glory. ... The Father calls her His daughter, the Son loves her as His Mother, while the Holy Ghost guards her as His spouse. She was destined to share in the great work of divine power. ... Mary was born with all personal greatness. ... Even before birth she was penetrated with divine light, she had given herself to God completely. She loved Him...... Oh! if we could have seen in spirit the birth of Mary, have seen this sun coming up out of the ocean of god's love! ... Never had any other creature such a birth! ... And the demons tremble; they behold her advancing against them, " strong as an army in battle array" ... Mary's birth heralds that of the Savior. ... Mary brings us the Bread of Life. From the day of her birth we salute her as the aurora of the Eucharist, for we know that the Savior of mankind will take from her the substance of that Body and Blood which He will give us in the Adorable Sacrament of His love. ... Practice-Let us offer to God, by the hands of Mary, the fruits of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Aspiration- Hail, Mary, who brought us from afar our Bread of Life, the Divine Victim! MEDITATION First we must over and over again remind ourselves of what we are doing. We are consciously taking up the daily reflections to offer them together at the end of this preparation time as an offering, as a vow of our love to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This chapter is yet another great entrance into the consecration preparation for we are to be born of Mary. St. Peter Julian Eymard recalls her birth, the purity in which God needed to enter into the world. The Creator willed to show us through Mary the dignity of our lives; we are daughters and sons of a King and Queen. St. Peter Julian continues with the words: "Mary's birth heralds that of the Savior". St. John the Baptist is the usual one pointed to as herald; "Prepare the way of the Lord" (Mark 1:3); "He must increase, that I may decrease" (John 3:30). Mary is herald to the herald by bringing us the Promise of the Father; She brings us the Bread of Life. Mary may be portrayed as the most humble of servants, the meekest, the most gentle. St Peter Julian Eymard tells us She is as "strong as an army in battle array". God reflected all of His supernatural power and greatness through Mary's own crown of thorns. This chapter calls to mind Mary's royal diadem. The crown of jewels was placed upon Her in exchange to Her crown of acceptance to the will of God. Mary held no denial, no resentment, no withdrawal. She offered total consent to the Incarnate life in Her; God's Love made manifest. The day of Eve was won back by Mary's true humility, poverty and suffering. May we be born of Mary, coming forth from Her womb into the world as heirs to the KING, who is Jesus, by way of the Queen, Mary, Our Mother. Mary! Teach us the Life of Adoration! SEND If you cannot get to daily Mass, offer a spiritual Communion; the faith you place into the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Continue to journal. Pray through Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. Think of times that you have acted out rather than trusted and waited in prayer for God to calm a storm in your life. Keep soul searching for a good and humble confession to offer for the intention of your consecration promise. A Vow is a free and deliberate promise made to God to do a good work. This act belongs to the virtue of Religion, acknowledging the supreme dominion of God, and professing our submission to Him. Please pray the Ave Maris Stella to accompany the daily readings for Week I. You may choose to continue the daily recitation of the Veni Creator. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Laura PRAYER Ave Maris Stella Hail bright star of ocean, God's own Mother blest, Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heavenly rest. Taking that sweet Ave, Which from Gabriel came, Peace confirm within us, Changing Eva's name. Break the captives' fetters, Light on blindness pour, All our ills expelling, Every bliss implore. Show thyself a Mother; May the Word Divine, Born for us thy Infant, Hear our prayers through thine. Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Freed from guilt, preserve us, Pure and undefiled. Keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure, Till we find in Jesus, Joy forevermore. Through the highest heaven To the Almighty Three, Father, Son and Spirit, One same glory be. Amen. |
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AuthorsWe are Ivonne Hernandez, Rick Hernandez and Laura Worhacz, Lay Associates of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Archives
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