SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

EVENING PRAYER

St. Bernard's Prayer to the Virgin Mary

From the Divine Comedy

Photo:R.Massaro(c)2013SpiritSinging

Regina Health Center Richfield, Ohio

Maiden and Mother, daughter of thine own Son,
Beyond all creatures lowly and lifted high,
Of the Eternal Design the corner-stone!

Thou art she who did man's substance glorify
So that its own Maker did not eschew
Even to be made of its mortality.

Within thy womb the Love was kindled new
By generation of whose warmth supreme
This flower to bloom in peace eternal grew.

Here thou to us art the full noonday beam
Of love revealed: below, to mortal sight,
Hope, that for ever springs in living stream.

Lady, thou art so great and has such might
That whoso crave grace, nor to thee repair,
Their longing even without wing seeketh flight.

Thy charity doth not only him up-bear
Who prays, but in thy bounty's large excess
Thou oftentimes dost even forerun the prayer.

In thee is pity, in thee tenderness,
In thee magnificence, in thee the sum
Of all that in creation most can bless.


Dante, Translation: Laurence Binyon


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

TEACHING OF ST. BERNARD

St. Bernard of Clairvaux 

 12 Steps of Pride and 12 Steps of Humility

Photo: R.Massaro (C)2013SpiritSinging

St. Bernard Church Akron, Ohio

12 Steps of Pride

1. Curiosity about what is not one's proper concern
2. Light mindedness: chatter and exclamation about things which do not matter
3. Laughing about nothing; foolish merriment
4. Boasting and talking too much
5. Trying to be different: claiming special rights
6. Thinking oneself holier than others
7. Interfering presumptuously with the affairs of others
8. Self-justification: defending one's sinful actions
9. Insincere confession
10. Rebelling against superiors
11. Feeling free to sin
12. Habitual sinning

12 Steps of Humility

12. Containment of one's interests, which shows itself in a humble bearing and lowered eyes
11. Quiet and restrained speech
10. Reluctance to laugh
9. Keeping silent unless asked to speak
8. Regarding oneself as having no special rights in the community
7. Thinking oneself less holy than the others
6. Thinking oneself unworthy to take initiative
5. Confessing one's sins
4. Patience in the face of accusation
3. Submission to superiors
2. Desiring no freedom to exercise one's will
1. Constant watchfulness against sin

From: Bernard of Clairvaux - Selected Works, Gillian R. Evans, 1987.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday of Our Lady

(C) Photo: R. Massaro

Mary "was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory when her earthly life was over, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things."Lumen Gentium, 59

If the winds of temptation arise,
if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation,
look to the star, call on Mary.
If you are tossed upon the waves of pride,
of ambition, of envy, of rivalry,
look to the star, call on Mary.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

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

______________________

Saint of the Day:St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Letters written by St. Bernard

"I know by myself how incomprehensible God is, seeing I cannot comprehend the parts of my own being." St. Bernard

St. Bernard also wrote the beautiful prayer, The Memorare:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.


Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS
______________________