A beggar before the Queen St. Alphonsus confesses his own spiritual poverty, yet looks to Mary as the queen who can relieve him of his miserable condition. Mother of my God, and my Lady, Mary: As a beggar, all wounded and sore, presents himself before a great queen, so I present myself before you, the Queen of Heaven and Earth. From the lofty throne on which you are seated, do not disdain, I implore you, to cast your eyes on... Read more
This week Sophia Institute Press is sponsoring the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of Mornings with Therese (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 11/13 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
I don’t ask for visions or revelations St. Louis de Montfort realizes that extraordinary spiritual experiences, and even sweet spiritual feelings, are not to be sought out. In his devotion to Mary, he simply asks to be joined with her in glorifying her Son. Dearly beloved Mother, grant, if it’s possible, that I may have no other spirit but yours to know Jesus and his divine will; that I may have no other soul but yours to praise and glorify... Read more
This week Laura offers her review of a book she really enjoyed. There are numerous books about St. Therese of Lisieux. What makes Mornings with Saint Thérèse compiled by Patricia Treece and published by Sophia Institute Press special is that it tells the story of St. Therese using her own words. Hear the story of St. Therese through her own writings and letters that she wrote to others in short, easy-to-read, daily meditations. This beautiful hard-covered book contains a collection of... Read more
Hail, sweet Mary! The abbot Venerable Louis de Blois rejoices in the abundant sweetness of the Blessed Virgin. Hail, sweet Mary! Foreshadowed under many types and images, you were promised by various sayings of the prophets, and the ancient fathers sighed after you with earnest longings. Take me, O my Lady, for your poor servant. Adopt me, my Mother, for your son. Grant that I may be among the number of those who are written in the memory of your... Read more
Mary, make me a saint! St. Alphonsus sums up his prayer intentions when he asks for Mary’s help: Make me a saint! Mother of Mercy, you are so compassionate, and have so great a desire to render service to us poor creatures and to grant our requests! So I, the most miserable of all men, now turn to your compassion, so that you may grant me what I ask. Others may ask of you what they please: bodily health, and... Read more
Mary comes to the aid of soldiers St. Alphonsus recalls the story of one soldier who was protected by Our Lady, and another who was healed of a battle wound through her assistance. Fr. John Crasset reports that a military commander told him how once he was present when a trumpeter of his company received a pistol shot from a man who stood near him. When the trumpeter examined his breast, where he said he was wounded, he found that... Read more
PETE: What inspired you to take on the massive project that became your book Jesus Christ & The Virgin Mary in Art: A visual Prayer Book? PATRICK FLANAGAN: This inspirational and devout book started 4 years ago after I became severely ill from being exposed to mold and was totally feeling hopeless. I began to literally “collect” oil paintings of Jesus Christ & The Virgin Mary so that I could focus on them, feel their richness and pray in the... Read more
Mary, ask for me what is best for me When we don’t really know what we should pray for, St. Alphonsus instructs, we can simply ask Mary to pray for whatever she knows to be best for us. Pray for me, Mary, and entrust me to your Son. You know my miseries and my needs far better than I do. What more can I say? Have pity on me. I’m so miserable and ignorant that I don’t know, nor can... Read more
Mary gathers after the reapers Missionaries, preachers, and confessors are constantly reaping souls for God, says St. Alphonsus. But the “hard cases” who aren’t part of that harvest are a special concern of Mary. The Scriptures say that in ancient Israel, Boaz allowed Ruth to gather the ears of grain that the reapers had left behind (see Ru 2:3). St. Bonaventure comments, “Just as Ruth found favor with Boaz, so has Mary found favor with our Lord. She too is allowed... Read more
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