September 10, 2024

Devotions

St. Maximilian Kolbe’s weapon for evangelization: the Miraculous Medal

Mother & Refuge04 mins

As World War II raged around him in Poland, St. Maximilian Kolbe fought for souls using a printing press and another “weapon” — the Miraculous Medal. “Even though a person be the worst sort, if only he agrees to wear the medal, give it to him … and then pray for him, and at the proper moment strive to bring him closer to his Immaculate Mother, so that he have recourse to her in all difficulties and temptations,” Kolbe said of the Miraculous Medal. “This is truly our heavenly weapon,” the saint said, describing the medal as “a bullet with which a faithful soldier hits the enemy, i.e. evil, and thus rescues souls.” The Miraculous Medal is a sacramental inspired by the Marian apparition to St. Catherine Labouré in Paris in 1830. The Virgin Mary appeared to Labouré as the Immaculate Conception standing on a globe with light streaming from her hands and crushing a serpent under her foot. “A voice said to me, ‘Have a medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck,’” Labouré said. As a Franciscan seminarian studying in Rome in 1917, Kolbe was moved by the story of the role the Miraculous Medal played in the conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne. Ratisbonne was a French Freemason and an atheist of Jewish descent who received the grace of conversion while wearing a Miraculous Medal given to him by one of his Catholic friends in Rome. The Virgin Mary appeared to Ratisbonne on Jan. 20, 1842, in a side chapel in the Church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte in Rome. St. Maximilian Kolbe chose to celebrate his first Mass on April 29, 1918, in the side chapel in Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Ratisbonne. Ratisbonne went on to be ordained a Jesuit priest and eventually left the order to move to Jerusalem in 1855 to found a convent for sisters in the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion, a congregation founded to “to witness in the Church and in the world that God continues to be faithful in his love for the Jewish people.” Read more…

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Miracles in Malta: Grace Through Mary’s Intercession!

Mother & Refuge021 mins

he Maltese Archipelago is renowned for its picturesque coastline, exceptional diving spots, and vibrant festas. It also holds a deep and ancient devotion to the Virgin Mary, manifested in several Marian shrines popularly and officially recognized as being miraculous. The rich history and significance of these shrines, and the numerous Marian miraculous events and icons found in this small island nation ceaselessly draw pilgrims and devotees from around the world.   The role of Mary in Christianity Myriam of Nazareth holds a central place in Christian theology as the Theotokos – literally, the God-bearer. Since the very early days of Christianity, Mary has been venerated for her virtue, obedience, and intercessory power. Indeed, the first Marian apparition (a bilocation, in fact) is traditionally believed to have occurred to the Apostle James in Spain around the year 40, while Mary was still alive. Tradition claims that when the apostle St. James the Greater was facing immense challenges while preaching in the Iberian Peninsula, he went to look for some solace in prayer by the banks of the Ebro river. During his supplications, the Virgin Mary appeared to him, standing on a jasper pillar carried by angels. This extraordinary event marked the first recorded apparition of the Blessed Mother – an event commemorated as Our Lady of the Pillar. Tradition claims that St. James the Greater prayed by the banks of the Ebro river. During his supplications, the Virgin Mary appeared to him, standing on a jasper pillar carried by angels.-archizaragoza Since then, different traditions understand Mary’s intercessory role as a fundamental principle of Christian life. Numerous apparitions and miraculous events reported worldwide, including those of Fatima, Lourdes, and Guadalupe (just to name three of the most famous ones) have reinforced, spread, and confirmed this belief. Malta, with its deep Marian devotion, has its own share of miraculous sites that underscore the island’s rich Christian heritage. Malta’s Marian devotion Malta’s Christian community dates back to the apostolic age, with the providential arrival of St. Paul in AD 60. This early establishment has resulted in an enduring and fervent Marian devotion among the Maltese people. Malta boasts a remarkable number of churches and chapels, many of which are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Among these, several stand out for the miraculous graces attributed to them. One of these significant Marian sites is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa. Local tradition holds that St. Luke the Evangelist himself, Paul’s companion during his trips, painted an image of the Virgin Mary during their stay on the island. However, further research has shown that the image dates back to the 13th century, possibly the 12th century. The original church of the Malta National Marian Shrine of the Hodegetria is a cave church. This site has been a focal point for Marian devotion for centuries, with numerous pilgrims visiting to seek graces and offer thanks for miracles received.Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Malta. Photo by Ian Noel Pace © The icon, reflecting Byzantine traditions, depicts Mary in all her majesty, holding the Child Jesus and symbolizing her role as the Theotokos. Restoration work has revealed fascinating details about the icon, including inscriptions and symbols emphasizing Mary’s eternal virginity and royal status. This site has thus been a focal point for Marian devotion for centuries, with numerous pilgrims visiting to seek graces and offer thanks for miracles received. The sanctuary’s walls are covered with ex-votos, which range from handwritten notes to baby clothes (and even a motorcycle helmet!), all testifying to the Virgin’s intercessory power. The underground grotto at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa is associated with multiple miraculous occurrences. The chapel in the grotto was hewn out of the hard limestone, thanks to a Sicilian devotee of Our Lady who was a regular visitor to the Sanctuary. He is also responsible for commissioning a white statue of Our Lady holding the Holy Infant on her left arm, at the far end of the chapel. Over the years, thousands of pilgrims have visited the underground chapel, and prayed before the Madonna, attributing to her many miraculous interventions and healings, both spiritual and temporal. The Archbishop of Malta H.E. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna celebrating Holy Mass at the Mellieha National Shrine of the Hodegetria | Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Malta. Photo by Ian Noel Pace © Events recorded in 1887, 1888, and 1948 are particularly famous. Various groups of people on different dates and time were gathered to pray and beheld the white statue of Our Lady repeatedly moving her right hand, making the Sign of the Cross. In the Sanctuary Archives there are 13 separate documents that record these happenings. All give a very detailed description of each event, and are signed under oath by all those present. The last time such a happening took place was reported after World War II, in 1948. A group of 10 people declared under oath that they witnessed the White Lady of the Chapel moving her right hand. Various groups of people on different dates and time were gathered to pray and beheld the white statue of Our Lady repeatedly moving her right hand, making the Sign of the Cross.Marinella Bandini | ALETEIA The icon of Our Lady of Mellieħa, and the white statue of Our Lady in the underground grotto are not alone. The Maltese archipelago is home to several miraculous images of the Virgin Mary. These images, revered by thousands of believers, are central to the island’s religious and cultural life.   Take, for example, the miraculous image kept at the Ta’ Pinu Basilica on the island of Gozo. The beginnings of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Ta’ Pinu are rather ancient. It is known that the original local church was a small chapel, known as Ta’ Ġentile, dedicated to the Assumption. The name Ta’ Ġentile was eventually dropped and the church became known as Ta’ Pinu (“Of Pinu,” Philip), named after Pinu Gauci, who had become the procurator of the church in 1598. Eventually, the modest unknown chapel in the countryside became a revered Marian shrine, visited by droves of Gozitans, Maltese and people beyond the sea. But why? In 1883, Karmni Grima, from Għarb,…

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This was Mother Teresa’s final letter before she died!

Mother & Refuge04 mins

Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997, and was highly regarded for her generosity and love of the “poorest of the poor.”   Her ministry was very difficult and it was only through her deep love of Jesus that she was able to stay close to him for many decades. When the Catholic Church canonized her in 2016, the Office of Readings for her feast had to be selected and the Church chose her final letter before her death. Final letter Her final letter was written only a few hours before she died on September 5 and is a beautiful summary of her spirituality.   First she exhorts her sisters to stay united to Jesus through Mary: This brings you Mother’s love, prayer and blessing that each one of you may be only all for Jesus through Mary. I know that Mother says often – “Be only all for Jesus through Mary” – but that is because that is all Mother wants for you, all Mother wants from you. If in your heart you are only all for Jesus through Mary, and if you do everything only all for Jesus through Mary, you will be a true Missionary of Charity. Thank you for all the loving wishes you sent for the Society Feast. We have much to thank God for, especially that He has given us Our Lady’s spirit to be the spirit of our Society. Loving Trust and Total Surrender made Our Lady say “Yes” to the message of the angel, and Cheerfulness made her to run in haste to serve her cousin Elizabeth. That is so much our life — saying “Yes” to Jesus and running in haste to serve Him in the poorest of the poor.   Mother Teresa also focuses on the words of Jesus, “I thirst,” which became a focal point of her religious order: Let us keep close to Our Lady and she will make that same spirit grow in each one of us. September 10 is coming very close. That is another beautiful chance for us to stand near Our Lady, to listen to the Thirst of Jesus and to answer with our whole heart. It is only with Our Lady that we can hear Jesus cry, “I Thirst,” and it is only with Our Lady that we can thank God properly for giving this great gift to our Society.   Read more…

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READ NOW! The Prophecies Of Amsterdam |Lady of All Nations

Mother & Refuge011 mins

The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith recently addressed ongoing questions about alleged apparitions and messages from 1945-1959 in Amsterdam, known as the devotion to the “Lady of All Nations.” A decision made on March 27, 1974, by the Sacred Congregation (now the Dicastery), was revealed. At that time, the cardinals unanimously judged the apparitions to be inauthentic, a conclusion approved by Pope Paul VI. This announcement was significant, as many believers had followed these apparitions, which promoted a controversial title for the Virgin Mary: “Co-Redemptrix and Mediator of All Graces.” The Vatican rejected this title, as it seemed to take away from Christ’s unique role as Redeemer. Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI also did not support this title, and Pope Francis shares the same view. In the apparitions, Mary was depicted standing on a globe with a Cross behind her, warning of various punishments for humanity’s sins. However, the Church remains cautious about these claims. The visionary was a woman in Amsterdam named Ida Peerdeman, and she saw storms, waves, missiles, quakes, palace intrigue at the Vatican, and economic disasters. Such a profusion of doom made us wonder decades ago if Satan had a hand in the disarray of Ida’s visions, yet also to wonder if their incomprehensibility was any greater than the incomprehensibility of the seven seals of Revelation. “Let all the children of men, of all the countries of the world, be one!” said Our Lady of All Nations. “Seek and ask only for the true Holy Spirit. I have come to tell this depraved world, all of you, unite. I will lead all the dispersed flock back to one field.” in visions that were often clipped and disjointed—saw a “strange war” and supposedly heard the Virgin warn of “disaster upon disaster” caused by phenomena of nature. In Russia she saw a “hellish light” that seemed to explode from the ground upwards. Was this a reference to what would occur in 1986 at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor? Or the 1953 Soviet test of an atomic bomb? She saw a hand of heavenly protection over the Ukraine, and things would go well for a while, said Mary, but then she pointed to a globe that looked like it was ready to burst. Indicating the sky eastward, where there were many stars, she supposedly said, “That is where it will come from.” A meteor? A comet? An asteroid? Ida claimed she was later told natural disasters would overtake the world “from north to south, south to west, and from west to east.” She saw a rent that ran diagonally across the earth. Great misery and distress, she was “told,” were “imminent” (again, this in the 1940s and 1950s). During an apparition on December 7, 1947, she saw thick clouds over Europe and titanic waves. “They will first have to perish by the flood,” the seer was “told,” which she further informed would constitute the “desolation.” That seemed to fly in the face of Genesis, in which God tells Noah that “never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth” (9:11). But for the sake of fleshing it out, let’s go on: There were also premonitions of political upheaval, currency crises, boycotts, and economic warfare. The “apparition” allegedly said Russia would try to deceive the other countries and Ida said she was shown a vision of “blue and white stripes intermingling and then stars. After that I see the sickle and hammer, but the hammer breaks away from the sickle and then all things whirl together. Then I see the crescent and the sun. These too comingle with the rest. And finally a sort of buck or mountain goat comes jumping through the lot. While all this is whirling around together, a circle appears on the left and through this the globe is turning. Now a big pointer appears and I hear the words, ‘The hand of the sun dial is going in the opposite direction!’” After that, in this apparition of December 26, 1947, Ida saw “something like a cigar or a torpedo flying past me so rapidly that I can scarcely discern it. Its color seems to be of aluminum. All of a sudden I see it burst open.” She added: “Then I see faces before me, swollen faces covered with dreadful ulcers, as if it were a kind of leprosy.” This was all in the wake, one must recall, of something that had just been witnessed in the world: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Was the breaking apart of the hammer and sickle a reference to the eventual break up of the Soviet Union? Was the goat Satan trotting through the former republics–Latvia, Ukraine, Georgia–and stirring up ethnic animosities? Was a nuclear warhead represented by the “aluminum torpedo”? How much was simply in Ida’s subconscious? It hardly stopped there. Ida saw Jerusalem surrounded by battles and a “sword hanging over Europe and the East.” She saw multitudes in the East–presumably Asia–and heard “Our Lady” say, “These will rouse… A great disaster will occur; that will startle them. The Baltic is full You do not see this.” She saw the Chinese crossing a line and an insurrection in Manchuria. Whew! There were also warnings concerning the southern flanks of Communist Bulgaria and what was then Yugoslavia. “There is a war,” Ida said during the vision. “They are fighting again.” The civil war in Yugoslavia? “The Lady says, ‘Child, there will be a fierce struggle. We have not seen the end of this struggle yet. Economic disasters will come. The empire of England is tottering.’” While there was the promise that “Japan will be converted,”  Ida saw a heavy cloud over India. There were also clouds over St. Peter’s Square. She saw the Pope and above him the word ‘VIOLENCE.” The shooting of John Paul II? There would be warfare within the Vatican, Mary warned, and in what can only be described as an especially symbolic vision, Ida heard Our Lady say, “Look,” and saw a wolf standing before the…

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SAVE THE POST! Daily Prayer to Mary for the Nation Before the November 5 US Presidential Election

Mother & Refuge12 mins

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection. Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God’ s law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.

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Meet Monsignor Joseph Buh, who could become America’s next saint

Mother & Refuge07 mins

Monsignor Joseph Buh passed away more than a century ago in 1922. Yet his memory has not faded among the faithful in northern Minnesota. To this day many in the area consider him a saint, and he is ubiquitously acknowledged as the “patriarch of Duluth.” Despite this Buh — pronounced “Boo” — has never been officially declared a saint by the Catholic Church. Now, that might finally be about to change.  Last October Duluth Bishop Daniel Felton met with the priests of the diocese to discuss officially launching Buh’s cause for canonization to sainthood. He appointed Father Richard Kunst, pastor of St. James Parish in Duluth, to lead the initiative and asked the diocese’s priests to spend the next year conversing with their flocks to gauge the level of devotion among the faithful. According to Kunst, enthusiasm for Buh’s canonization at his parish has been high, and based on conversations with other priests, it seems likely the diocese will move forward with the canonization process. “We’re just waiting to see … Are people praying to him for intercession? If the people are doing that, that’s a generally pretty good indicator whether a cause of canonization should proceed or not,” Kunst told CNA. If declared a saint, Buh would join a small list of American saints, making him a significant figure not only to the people of Duluth but also to Catholics across the country. Who is Monsignor Buh? Born in Slovenia in 1833, Buh was a priest and missionary to Minnesota in its earliest days as a state. Ordained a priest in 1858 — the same year Minnesota was made a state — Buh was integral to the development of the Church in the region. While ministering to poor immigrants and to the Native American populations, he helped to establish over 50 parishes within the Diocese of Duluth. Buh was greatly loved because of his devotion to serving the Church and the spiritual and material needs of the faithful.   According to an autobiography on Buh written by some local Benedictine sisters, the second bishop of Duluth, Timothy McNicholas, told Buh in a letter that “this diocese with its priests and sisters and people can never express to you an adequate appreciation of all that you have done for religion. The whole Church of America is indebted to you.” During Buh’s funeral Mass, McNicholas said that Buh’s “love for souls was beyond our power to measure.” “The casual observer would not even direct his attention to the extraordinary zeal of this gentle apostle,” the bishop said. “It is only when one realizes the great harvest that he has reaped that one is forced to take into account the many and deep furrows that he plowed in the harvest fields of Christ.” “His zeal for souls was ever a burning fire,” McNicholas continued. “No journey on foot, no distance by horseback was too long or too trying provided a soul was to be helped at the journey’s end. He would set out with a trust in God realizing that God’s love of souls was infinite and that he was but the dispenser of the riches of God’s sacramental graces. He was ever willing to make every sacrifice in the performance of duty for the salvation of souls.” What’s the latest? On July 25 Buh’s remains were exhumed from his burial site at Calvary Cemetery so that they could be examined and then reinterred at Duluth’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. In an interview with CNA, Kunst explained that “as the patriarch of the diocese we thought it was fitting to have him in the cathedral.” He also said the cathedral would be a more suitable place for the many visitors to Buh’s gravesite who have left a “continuous” supply of fresh flowers. Kunst said he expects the diocese to decide in October whether to recommend Buh’s cause for canonization be opened. Read more…

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St. Basil’s Powerful Prayer at the ninth hour

Mother & Refuge02 mins

O Master and Lord, Jesus Christ our God, who art longsuffering towards our faults and hast brought us even unto this present hour, in which, hanging upon the life-giving Cross, Thou hast opened unto the good thief the way into Paradise, and destroyed death by death: Be merciful to us, Thy humble and sinful and unworthy servants. For we have sinned and transgressed, and we are not worthy to lift up our eyes and look at the height of heaven, since we have forsaken the path of Thy righteousness and have walked according to the desires of our own hearts. But we pray Thee of Thy boundless goodness, spare us, O Lord, according to the abundance of Thy mercy, and save us for Thy Holy Name’s sake, for our days have been consumed in vanity. Pluck us from the hand of the adversary, forgive us our sins, and kill our fleshly lusts, that putting off the old man, we may put on the new, and may live for Thee our Master and Protector; and that so, following Thine ordinances, we may attain to eternal rest, in the place where all the joyful dwell. For Thou, O Christ our God, art indeed the true joy and gladness of those who love Thee, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father who is without beginning, and Thy most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages and ages. Amen.

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St. Michael’s Lent: A Guide to Prayer and Devotion During St. Michael’s Lent

Mother & Refuge09 mins

Introduction St. Michael’s Lent is a lesser-known but deeply spiritual tradition within the Catholic Church, observed from August 15th (the Feast of the Assumption) to September 29th (the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel). This 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and penance is modeled after the more widely known Lenten season leading up to Easter. It provides an opportunity for Catholics to deepen their spiritual lives, seek the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, and prepare themselves for the spiritual battles they may face. Origins of St. Michael’s Lent St. Michael’s Lent is believed to have originated with St. Francis of Assisi, who had a profound devotion to St. Michael the Archangel. St. Francis would retreat to Mount La Verna during this time, fasting and praying in solitude. He sought to imitate Christ and prepare himself for greater spiritual challenges. This tradition gradually spread and became a way for the faithful to honor St. Michael and seek his protection. How to Participate in St. Michael’s Lent Participating in St. Michael’s Lent is a powerful way to grow in faith, resist temptation, and draw closer to God. Here’s how you can observe this holy season: 1. Prayer Prayer is the cornerstone of St. Michael’s Lent. Begin each day with a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, asking for his protection and guidance. You can use the traditional prayer or one of the following: Traditional Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. Morning Offering for St. Michael’s Lent Heavenly Father, as I begin this day of St. Michael’s Lent, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings. I ask for the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, that he may protect me from all evil and guide me on the path of righteousness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer of Protection St. Michael, mighty warrior of God, protect me this day. Shield me from the temptations of the enemy, and strengthen my resolve to follow Christ faithfully. In your powerful name, I pray. Amen. 2. Fasting and Abstinence Like the Lenten season before Easter, St. Michael’s Lent encourages fasting and abstinence as a means of penance and spiritual discipline. You may choose to fast from certain foods, such as meat or sweets, or abstain from particular activities that distract you from your spiritual goals. The key is to make a sacrifice that is meaningful and challenging for you. Example of a Fasting Resolution “During St. Michael’s Lent, I will fast from [specific food or activity] on Wednesdays and Fridays, offering my sacrifice for the purification of my soul and the protection of the Church.” 3. Penance and Almsgiving Use this period to perform acts of penance and charity. Confession is an important part of this, allowing you to cleanse your soul and receive God’s grace. Additionally, consider giving to the poor or supporting a charity that aligns with your faith. Prayer Before Confession Lord, grant me the grace to see my sins clearly and the courage to confess them sincerely. Through the intercession of St. Michael, may I be cleansed of all unrighteousness and made worthy to stand in Your presence. Amen. 4. Spiritual Reading and Reflection Enhance your spiritual life by reading the Scriptures, the lives of the saints, or other Catholic spiritual works. Reflect on the themes of spiritual warfare, the power of angels, and the role of St. Michael in defending the Church. Suggested Reading: “The Life of St. Michael the Archangel” by Anne Catherine Emmerich “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis (focuses on spiritual warfare) Daily Bible reading, especially passages related to angels and spiritual battle 5. Daily Examination of Conscience Each evening, take a few moments to reflect on your day. Consider your thoughts, words, and actions. Have you been faithful to your Lenten commitments? Where have you succeeded, and where have you fallen short? End with an Act of Contrition. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen. 6. Attend Mass Regularly If possible, attend daily Mass during St. Michael’s Lent. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and receiving Christ’s Body and Blood strengthens us in our spiritual battles. Conclusion St. Michael’s Lent is a beautiful opportunity to renew your commitment to God, strengthen your spiritual life, and seek the powerful intercession of St. Michael the Archangel. By dedicating yourself to prayer, fasting, penance, and spiritual reflection, you can prepare your soul for the challenges ahead and grow in holiness. May St. Michael defend you in battle and lead you ever closer to Christ. Amen.

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Is the ‘Hail Mary’ in the Bible? A Deep Dive into Scripture

Mother & Refuge06 mins

The “Hail Mary” is one of the most cherished prayers in the Catholic tradition, often recited during the Rosary and in times of personal devotion. But have you ever wondered about its origins? Is the “Hail Mary” actually found in the Bible? Let’s dive into Scripture to explore the biblical roots of this beautiful prayer. The First Part: “Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee” The opening line of the “Hail Mary” prayer is directly drawn from the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 1:28, the angel Gabriel greets Mary with these words: “And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’”— Luke 1:28 (RSVCE) In this verse, the angel’s greeting “Hail” (or “Rejoice” in some translations) reflects a deep honor and reverence towards Mary. The phrase “full of grace” signifies that Mary is uniquely graced by God, chosen to be the mother of the Savior. This is not just a simple greeting but a divine affirmation of Mary’s special role in salvation history. The Second Part: “Blessed Art Thou Among Women, and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus” The second part of the “Hail Mary” is also found in Luke’s Gospel, specifically during the Visitation, when Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth. Upon seeing Mary, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims: “And she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’”— Luke 1:42 (RSVCE) Elizabeth’s words acknowledge the blessedness of Mary as the mother of the Messiah. Her greeting, inspired by the Holy Spirit, further confirms Mary’s unique role in God’s plan. The “fruit of thy womb” explicitly refers to Jesus, highlighting the significance of His Incarnation. The Third Part: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for Us Sinners, Now and at the Hour of Our Death” This final part of the prayer, while not a direct biblical quote, is a natural extension of the Scriptural references to Mary. The title “Mother of God” is rooted in the understanding of Mary as the Theotokos, a Greek term meaning “God-bearer.” This title was formally affirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, based on the truth that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. The request for Mary’s intercession, “Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death,” reflects the Catholic belief in the Communion of Saints. As Christians, we believe that those who are in heaven, particularly Mary, can intercede for us before God. This concept is supported by Scripture in passages such as: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”— James 5:16 (NIV) Since Mary is the most exalted of all saints, Catholics seek her intercession, especially at the critical moments of life and death. Conclusion: A Prayer Rooted in Scripture and Tradition While the “Hail Mary” prayer as we know it today is not found verbatim in the Bible, its components are deeply rooted in Scripture. The first two parts are direct quotations from the Gospel of Luke, while the third part reflects the early Church’s understanding of Mary’s unique role and the power of intercessory prayer. The “Hail Mary” serves as a reminder of God’s grace, the mystery of the Incarnation, and the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a prayer that has echoed through the centuries, drawing believers closer to Jesus through His Mother, who is indeed “full of grace.”

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Miraculous Infant of Prague Prayer

Mother & Refuge01 mins

Jesus unto Thee I flee,Through Thy Mother praying Thee,In my need to succor me.Truly, I believe of TheeGod Thou art with strength to shield me;Full of trust, I hope of TheeThou Thy grace wilt give to me.All my heart I give to Thee,Therefore, do my sins repent me;From them breaking, I beseech Thee,Jesus, from their bonds to free me.Firm my purpose is to mend me;Never more will I offend Thee.Wholly unto Thee I give me,Patiently to suffer for Thee,Thee to serve eternally.And my neighbor like to meI will love for love of Thee.Little Jesus, I beseech Thee,In my need to succor me,That with Joseph and with MaryAnd the angels, I may TheeOnce enjoy eternally. Amen

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