Little Brother and I attended Mass together this morning. He paid attention to the readings and even to Father's homily, which linked the "Magnificat" from the Gospel to both the Visitation and the life of St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein).
That might seem like a stretch, but the gist of it was that "My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord" was central to the Blessed Mother's life as well as to the martyrdom of St. Teresa.
After Mass was over, Little Brother asked me what the name of today's feast was, again. He didn't seem to be too familiar with the concept of the Assumption--especially after listening to a Gospel that told the story of the Visitation.
I told him that when most people die, only their soul goes to Heaven. But the Blessed Mother's soul and body went to heaven upon her death.
It's complicated. I can't wrap my head around this mystery either.
Apparently neither can Little Brother, who then commented: "Mary could FLY? Wow, that's COOL! I want to fly..."
You might think that just because I play guitar in church, my favorite religious music consists of tunes like "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love" and "Abba, Father."
You'd be wrong. (Actually, I'm not a big fan of either of those tunes, and I call them "tunes" on purpose. There's much better church music for guitar out there.)
One hymn that really sticks with me is the Salve Regina. I learned it in college; Father Campbell, the chaplain, held Night Prayer and Benediction each Sunday night. He "guilted" a few of us campus-ministry "folk groupies" into going, so that there'd be somebody there.
Father Campbell was smart. He knew that he'd only have to use the guilt trip once or twice. After that, we were hooked--we wanted to be there.
Having grown up on guitar Masses, Sunday Night Prayer was the first time I ever heard Gregorian chant. We concluded Night Prayer with the Salve Regina. It is so simple, spare but beautiful. I know all the words, and I love to pray it by singing it.
In honor of Mary's month, here is the Salve Regina:
Now I've got nothing to add to a discussion just now--not an original thought in my head. But I'm sure the bloggers who've contributed to this Carnival have plenty to say. Make some time to stop by on Monday and check it out.
At Mass this morning our deacon shared the origins of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and encouraged us to deepen our devotion to the Blessed Mother.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and blessed New Year!
The quote she has accompanying this card is not to be missed:
You never think of Mary without Mary thinking of God on your behalf. Neither do you ever praise and honor God without Mary praising and honoring God in union with you. --St. Louis Grignion de Montfort
Today, when I would guess that more Rosaries are being prayed in our country than any other day, many people are thinking of Mary. I add my prayers to those: O Virgin conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Pray for young women who feel trapped in unwanted pregnancies and who feel that abortion is their only way out. Pray for parents, husbands and boyfriends who pressure these women into killing their babies. Pray for abortion providers that they may have a change of heart. Pray for post-abortive women who grieve those little lives lost. Pray for our government that a reverence for life may permeate our country. And pray for all who work toward a culture of life.
I keep a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe in my kitchen. Today Jane posted these words that Our Lady spoke to Juan Diego:
"Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."
I put a large white candle in the middle of our Advent wreath today, and we will light it in Mary's honor.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Catholicism offered my friends other comforts. As a kid, I would have liked a patron saint or a guardian angel, but the Methodist Church didn't offer those. Instead we were counseled, in an ecumenically respectful way, that all that stuff was Catholic...The best thing, though, that Catholic girls got was Mary. She was presented as motherhood and sweetness, but Catholic girls got a clear message that a woman in heaven understood the female side of things.
What are you waiting for? Go read the rest! I could do without the very last sentence, but the rest of this article is fabulous.
One devotion that I have recently begun to practice is the Franciscan Crown Rosary. Friar Charles has the whole story on this devotion, including how to pray it and where it came from. You don't have to be a Franciscan to pray the Franciscan Crown. It's based on the Seven Joys of Mary: The Annunciation The Visitation The Nativity The Adoration of the Magi The Finding of Jesus in the Temple The Resurrection The Assumption and Coronation of the Blessed Mother
In his devotion to the Mother of Christ, the Franciscan, who is united with and transformed into Christ, makes Mary his own Mother. How can it be otherwise, for it was Mary who begot Christ, and hence it is Mary who has given the True Life to the Franciscan. Mary is our Mother because she is the Mother of the Head of the Mystical Body, of which we are members -- she is the one Mother of the One Christ. Thus Francis "embraced the Mother of Jesus with an indescribable love, because she made the Lord of Majesty our brother."
So if you're looking for a new way to honor the Blessed Mother, why not learn to pray the Franciscan Crown? Join me in this beautiful devotion during the month of May.
