SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

As Secular Carmelites we are called to imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary who pondered the Word in her heart.  As we celebrate the Word made flesh in this Christmas season, let us renew our devotion to our Mother, Mary, who is Queen and beauty of Carmel.  

If you have made the total consecration to Mary according to the teaching of St. Louis de Montfort, I would encourage you to renew your total consecration to her on this feast day. It is said that Pope St. John Paul II recited the entire total consecration prayer to Our Lady every day!  Perhaps, we could say a shorter version of the consecration prayer each day:

Oh Mary, my queen and my mother, I give myself entirely to you. And to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being, without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am yours, keep me and guard me, as your own property and possession. Amen.

Photo: R. Massaro Sacred Heart Bethlehem, Ohio (C)2018 Spirit Singing

Please enjoy this beautiful excerpt from one of my favorite books: 
Pilgrims with Mary.


Let us go on pilgrimage to the heart of Mary. Out of the darkness of this world we pass through the gateway of the enclosed garden to find ourselves in a garden of delights. Here is an unending variety of rarest flowers always in bloom--the virtues that flourish in her Immaculate Heart.

The Heart of Mary beats with the most pure love. Men would love God with their lips but their hearts are often far from him. Mary's heart never went astray...Right through life every joy and sorrow experienced by the Heart of Jesus found its echo in the heart of his Mother.

Pilgrims with Mary by Fr. John Moloney, P.P.





Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Saturday of Our Lady

OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION

FEAST DAY: JANUARY 21(in Rome)

Our Lady of Consolation-Carey, Ohio Photo: R.Massaro

 Prayer to Our Lady of Consolation:

 O Mary Immaculate, our Mother and Consolation, I take refuge in thy most loving heart with all the confidence of which I am capable; thou shalt be the dearest object of my love and veneration. To thee, who art the dispenser of the treasures of Heaven, I shall always have recourse in my sorrows to have peace, in my doubts to have light, in my dangers to be defended, in all my needs to obtain thy ssistance. Be therefore my refuge, my strength, my consolation, O Mary the Consoler! At the hour of my death, graciously receive the last sighs of my heart and obtain for me a place in thy heavenly home, where all hearts shall praise with one accord the adorable Heart of Jesus for ever more as well as thy most lovable heart, O Mary. Our tender Mother, Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Grant also peace and holiness to the Church, through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
 
Here in Ohio, we have a shrine to Our Lady of Consolation located in Carey. The feast day to our Lady under this title is celebrated at the shrine on May 25th.  Please visit their website for more details about the devotion to our Lady under this title and for more information about the shrine.

You can visit their website at:
http://www.olcshrine.com/

View a video clip about the shrine produced by the shrine:
 http://www.olcshrine.com/basilica-and-national-shrine-of-our-lady-of-consolation-dvd.html







Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY

OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

PRAY FOR US!

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Saturday of Our Lady

Look To Our Blessed Mother:

Following in her footsteps,

you will not go astray;

Praying to her,

you will not fall into despair;

Thinking of her,

you will not err;

While she keeps hold of you,

you will not fall;

With her as guide,

you will not grow weary;

With her as protectress,

you will have no fear;

Enjoying her favor,

you will reach the goal.

St. Bernard

St. Bernard's Writing: On Loving God

Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie,ocds

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