Category Archives: Blessed Virgin Mary

St.Jerome and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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For this Immaculate Heart Saturday, I found some connections to the saint whose feast day today is. September 30th is the feast of St. Jerome, a Doctor of the Church and the translator of the Bible into 4th Century vernacular Latin. It was he who said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

That’s not the connection, but I can make it to be one. Since St. Jerome essentially said that to know the Bible is to know Christ, and since the Church teaches that Mary brings us to Christ (the essence of Consecration) then we can use a type of Sacred reading by which we ask Mary to ‘open Scripture for us,’ that is, when we prayerfully read Scripture, we pray beforehand to the Blessed Virgin to open our eyes and mind to what Scripture might be telling us. 

The other connection I found was after I searched for “St. Jerome and the Immaculate Heart.” One of the first hits was this  article: “10 Things to Know About the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

2. Does the Bible Foretell Mary’s Triumph?

Have you ever seen a statue or painting of the Virgin Mary stepping on a snake? What’s that all about? It is a reference to Genesis 3:15, in which God warns Satan of his ultimate defeat: “I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel” (Gen 3:15). While Protestants suggest that the Hebrew text says “he shall crush your head,” the Catholic interpretation may be closer to the truth.

In simple terms, one Hebrew translation (the medieval Masoretic text) says “he” and two other ancient manuscripts say “she.” St. Jerome (347-420), translator of the Bible into Latin, rendered it as “she.” He was not alone in this interpretation; three of the most respected Jewish scholars of all time, Philo Judaeus (c. 20 B.C.-50 A.D.), Josephus (c. 37-100 A.D.), and Moses Maimonides (1138–1204), all insist that it should be interpreted as “she.” In other words, a woman will crush Satan’s head.

Fast forwarding to the end of the Bible, we find a mysterious confrontation between a woman, ‘clothed with the sun,’ and a great red dragon in the book of Revelation (Rev 12:1-6, 13-17). The dragon pursues the woman who is to give birth to a child who will rule the nations with a ‘rod of iron.’ In the end, the woman is victorious and the dragon is cast down to hell.

A ‘triumph’ suggests a victory over an enemy. These biblical references become more sensible in light of Mary’s prediction at Fátima. Furthermore, it is understood that it is the ultimate humiliation for Satan to be defeated by a woman. In his rage, he makes war “on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.” (Rev. 12:17) In the end, the devil is squashed under Mary’s heel.

The entire article is rather interesting; while I don’t completely accept the conclusions, especially since it quotes heavily from an unapproved apparition (Fr. Gobbi and the ‘Marian Movement of Priests’,) the part I did quote from is as far as I know, free of error.

Item No. 8 in the article is good: “What Are Ways to Prepare for the Triumph and New Era?”

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St. Michael the Archangel and the Reign of the Sacred Heart

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Today is the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel (technically, it’s for all three Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, but since I just completed a Novena to St. Michael, this post is focused on him. I promised Gabriel and Raphael that they’ll get their own post someday. Incidentally, this was originally just St. Michael’s Day, “Michaelmas,” in the pre-Vatican II liturgical calendar. Gabriel and Raphael had their own days before 1962.)  

In coming up with today’s Sacred Heart Friday post, I ran across this prayer:

For the Reign of the Sacred Heart

O Mary Immaculate, great Queen of Heaven and earth and our gentle advocate, we beg Thee to intercede for us. Pray God to send St. Michael and the holy Angels to ward off all the obstacles contrary to the reign of the Sacred Heart in our souls, our families, our country and in the whole world.

And thou, O holy Michael, Prince of the Heavenly hosts, from our hearts we beg thee to come to our aid.

Defend us against the rage of Satan. Through the Divine power bestowed on thee by God, after securing victory for the Church here below, guide our souls to our eternal home. Amen.

St. Michael, first champion of the Kingship of Christ, pray for us!

Source: Catholic Tradition

It beautifully combined devotion to St. Michael with fighting for the reign of the Sacred Heart in the souls of everyone. It is a prayer very pertinent to what’s going on today.

 

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St. Padre Pio and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Just like yesterday, I am going to ‘cheat’ a little for today’s Immaculate Heart Saturday post and direct your attention an article posted on the EWTN Library on St. Pio of Pietrelcina, popularly known as ‘St. Padre Pio.’ His feast day is today, September 23. 

For today, please read “Padre Pio and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

Thank you!

NOTE: I may do this from time to time, rather that write something of my own, direct you to a useful resource or article from elswhere. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Angel of Peace at Fatima: the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 11

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Three days ago on the 13th of September was the 106th anniversary of the penultimate Apparition of Our Lady at Fatima. Our Lady promised a miracle at her next visit in October. This post has nothing to do with that, but I thought I’d bring it up anyway. 

However, for this Immaculate Heart Saturday post, I’ll continue along with the series I began last week: the Apparitions of the Angel of Peace to the little shepherd children in the Summer of 1916. The children had finished pasturing their sheep and were resting when the Angel appeared and said to them:

“What are you doing? Pray, pray very much! The Holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High.”

Lucy asked: “How are we to make sacrifices?”

“Make of everything you can a sacrifice, and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is so offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners. You will thus draw down peace upon your country. I am its Angel Guardian, the Angel of Portugal. Above all, accept and bear with submission the suffering which the Lord will send you.”

 Again we see the Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In this case, their mutual intent is having ‘designs of mercy’ on the children. It seems as if the children are to be channels of mercy for the world. These merciful designs are tied to sacrifices the children must make for sinners, especially those who grievously offend God, and also for their country, Portugal. 

The idea of making sacrifices became a major theme of the Fatima Message. Our Lady also made this request for ‘making sacrifices’ for sinners in her August 1917 Apparition. Making sacrifices for sinners was the apostolate of the short lives of  Sts. Jacinta and Francisco Marto, two of the seers. 

And finally, the Five First Saturdays are all about making reparation for the sins of others. It may not seem like it, but trying to fulfill the conditions of the devotion can seem like making a sacrifice. The actual devotion is really quite simple to fulfill, but if you find difficulty in doing it, that’s Satan just trying to interfere.

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Our Lady of Sorrows: the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 10

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For this Sacred Heart Friday, I bring up the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. It recalls Mary’s seven painful sorrows throughout her life; I believe she often ‘pondered them in her Heart.’ 

  1.  The Prophecy of Simeon  (Luke 2:34)

  2. The Flight into Egypt by the Holy Family (Matthew 2:13)

  3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43)

  4. Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother along the Way of the Cross (Luke 23:26)

  5. Mary stands at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25)

  6. Mary receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms (Matthew 27:57)

  7. Jesus is Laid in the Tomb (John 19:40)

Sorrows unite the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The Sorrowful Heart of Mary was pierced in particular by the sufferings of Jesus during His Passion and Death. How could they not? 

Jesus was sorrowful even unto death, yet he endured His Passion for our sake. As I have mentioned in previous posts in this series, several approved private revelations have spoken of the closeness of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary: as she was how Our Lord came into this world, then she certainly would have been attuned to the pains endured by His Heart during the tortures of Good Friday. 

This lends a sublime empathy for Our Lady. She suffered for Him, and since we are the adopted sons and daughters of God the Father, we are siblings to Our Lord; with Mary being our Mother. Therefore, just as Mary was united with Our Lord in His sufferings; she is united to us in ours. Recall all the sufferings you endured (and caused) during your drinking and drugging days. Mary was there. You were not alone. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Angel of Peace at Fatima: the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 9

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For today’s Immaculate Heart Saturday post, I will bring up something from the Apparitions of the Angel of Peace to the young shepherd children of Fatima in the Spring of 1916.

In the first apparition of the Angel, he taught them what was to be the first of the “Fatima Prayers:” “My God, I believe, adore, hope and love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You.”

They were told to recite it three times. 

The Angel then said, “Pray thus. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications.” (Emphasis mine.)

This means that the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are united in listening to your prayer requests, but especially in regards to practicing the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity of which this first prayer recalls. 

Ponder that. “The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive…” They are united (‘allied’ as per the title of this series) in their attentiveness to our prayers. This brings me tremendous comfort. Which brings up another point I thought of after Confession earlier this week.

“The Power of the Hail Mary in the Alliance of the Two Hearts” 

When you pray the Hail Mary; it seems to me that you’re not just asking for Our Lady’s help. Because Mary is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and remains so for all eternity, the Holy Spirit is also the recipient of the prayer. And then when you add the whole Hypostatic Union of the Trinity, meaning where one member is the other two are present, the entire Trinity is listening in on the prayer. 

Now, keeping that in mind, take another look at the “Hail Mary:”

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you. 

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus,

 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, 

Now, and at the hour or our death,

AMEN

The first section of the Hail Mary closely links Mary with Jesus. She is referred to twice in relation to her Son in words that strongly imply that Jesus is the cause of her blessedness and grace-filledness. Or rather, her union (‘alliance’) with Jesus! So, when you pray the Hail Mary, you’re praying to Jesus, too. (Just recall the Hypostatic Union reference a few paragraphs up. You’re essentially praying  to the entire Trinity, and not just our Blessed Mother.)

On the next two lines in the prayer, I wrote these a few years ago: On the meaning and impact of prayers (re: ‘Pray for us sinners) and   Now and at the hour of our death, amen, both posts highlight the importance of a prayer that because of its frequent repetition by faithful, its significance may be surprisingly overlooked.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

A funny thing happened while writing today’s Sacred Heart Friday post

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A funny thing happened while writing today’s Sacred Heart Friday post. I was writing this (brilliant) piece in my series of posts on the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary and linking it to today’s feast day on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Unfortunately, after reading it and thankfully before hitting “send to blog” I noticed that it had much more to do with the Immaculate Conception of Mama Mary than her Birth. Actually, it didn’t have anything to do with her Birth.

Oops.

Yes, if I had started drafting it earlier this week I might have noticed. But I was very busy all week, especially today with stuff, and only got around to writing it tonight. 

So, no Sacred Heart Friday post for today. But there’s an utterly brilliant one scheduled to go out on Friday, December 8th!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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For this Immaculate Heart Saturday post I will continue the theme from yesterday’s Sacred Heart Friday post “Have you made your Sacred Heart Consecration yet?” Today, it’s and Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth and tender Mother of men, in accordance with Thy ardent wish made known at Fatima, I consecrate to Thy Immaculate Heart myself, my brethren, my country and the whole human race. 

Reign over us, Most Holy Mother of God, and teach us how to make the Heart of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ reign and triumph in us even as it has reigned and triumphed in Thee. 

Reign over us, Most Blessed Virgin, that we may be Thine in prosperity and in adversity, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in life and in death. 

O most compassionate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven, watch over our minds and hearts and preserve them from the impurity which Thou didst lament so sorrowfully at Fatima. Assist us in imitating you in all things, especially purity. Help us to call down upon our country and upon the whole world the peace of God in justice and charity. 

Therefore, Most Gracious Virgin and Mother, I hereby promise to imitate Thy virtues by the practice of a true Christian life without regard to human respect. I resolve to receive Holy Communion regularly and to offer to Thee five decades of the Rosary each day, together with my sacrifices, in the spirit of reparation and penance. Amen.  

Source: First Saturday Devotion

Next week I will begin a series delving deeper into the Immaculate Heart. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Quickie Immaculate Heart post and a pretty picture of Mama Mary

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Despite numerous reminders throughout the week, I kept forgetting to compose an Immaculate Heart Saturday post for today. 

I’ve actually been busy this week, spending 6-8+ hours a day working on a book. Details later.

So, I’ll just leave you with this image of the Immaculate Heart I found online. Images can be devotional as they can help us focus on what you’re praying. 

Immaculate heart

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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For this Sacred Heart Friday, I bring to your attention that St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, founder of the Militia of the Immaculata, had as the focus of Marian Consecration the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here is a portion of the Consecration prayer that he wrote:

 Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter, you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

All Marian roads lead to Jesus. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)