Mary, Vessel of Devotion Blessed John Henry Newman illustrates the meaning of devotion, and shows how Our Lady overflowed with devotion to her son. To be devout is to be devoted. We know what is meant by a devoted wife or daughter. It is one whose thoughts center in the person so deeply loved, so tenderly cherished. She follows him about with her eyes; she is ever seeking some means of serving him; and if her services are very small... Read more
Prayer to Mary, Queen of Martyrs This popular traditional prayer asks for the grace to become a companion of Our Lady’s sorrowful heart at the foot of the Cross. Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into your heart, pierced by so many swords, you welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the companion of your sorrows at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus died for the redemption of... Read more
Mary, Queen of Martyrs Though Mary never suffered a bodily martyrdom, Blessed John Henry New- man insists that her soul suffered a worse sort of martyrdom. Why is Mary called the Queen of Martyrs? She never had any blow, or wound, or other injury to her consecrated person. How can she be exalted over those whose bodies suffered the most ruthless violence and the keenest torments for our Lord’s sake? She is, indeed, Queen of All Saints, of those who... Read more
Mike Aquilina is author or editor of more than forty books, including The Fathers of the Church, The Mass of the Early Christians, and Angels of God. He has co-authored books with Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci, theologian Scott Hahn, and singer-songwriter John Michael Talbot, among others. His works have been translated into many languages, from Hungarian and Portuguese to German and Braille. The Grail Code has appeared in ten languages... Read more
Mary, Tower of Ivory The popular term “ivory tower” refers to a disinterest in, a disconnectedness with, the world. But as Blessed John Henry Newman explains, calling Mary the “Tower of Ivory” means something quite different from that, for it sym- bolizes her strength and beauty. A tower is a structure which rises higher and more conspicuous than other objects in its neighborhood. Thus, when we say a man “towers” over his fellows, we mean to signify that they look... Read more
Mary, the Mystical Rose Blessed John Henry Newman proposes that Mary is called the “mystical” (or “hidden”) rose because after her assumption, her body has been hidden from us in heaven. Mary is the queen of spiritual flowers; and therefore she is called the rose, for the rose is fitly called of all flowers the most beautiful. But moreover, she is the mystical, or hidden, rose; for “mystical” means “hidden.” How is she now “hidden” from us more than are other... Read more
Mary, the Awesome Virgin The awe that is struck in human hearts by angelic visitors cannot compare to the awe and wonder we should feel in Mary’s presence. Blessed John Henry Newman tells why. The holy Daniel, when St. Gabriel appeared to him, “fainted away, and lay in a consternation, with his face close to the ground” (see Dan 8:17). When this great archangel came to Zechariah, the father of St. John the Baptist, he too was troubled, and fear fell... Read more
This week Servant Books is sponsoring the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of Keeping Mary Close: Devotion to Our Lady Through the Ages by Mike Aquilina and Father Frederick Gruber (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12 AM EST 12/25 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted Blessed John Henry Newman explains that Mary can console us in adversity because she herself has suffered affliction. She knows especially the hardships of dealing with difficult people. St. Paul says that his Lord comforted him in all his tribulations, so that he also might be able to comfort those who are in distress, by the encouragement which he received from God (see 2 Cor 1:4). This is the secret of true consola- tion: Those are... Read more
The faithful of the Church have held a special place of honor for Mary for centuries. This began in the very early years of the Church and continues today. In their new book Keeping Mary Close: Devotion to Our Lady through the Ages, co-authors Mike Aquilina and Father Frederick Gruber take a close look at how devotion to Mary developed. They focus on the early Church Fathers and practices of the early Christians to show readers the evidence that Mary has always... Read more
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