Our Lady of La Salette - September 19

Invocation :
Our Lady of La Salette, Reconciler of sinners, pray without ceasing for us who have recourse to thee.
~~Indulgence 300 days~~

On September 19, 1846, Our Lady appeared to two small shepherds, Maximin Giraud and Melanie Calvat. The beautiful lady, as the children called her, appeared in an attitude of profound sadness asking prayers and penance to help her prevent the arm of her Son from falling over humankind for its sins. Our Lady also revealed to the shepherd children a secret. Since this apparition took place on the mountain called La Salette in the Diocese of Grenoble, France, a new invocation of Our Lady soon spread throughout the world – Our Lady of La Salette.

Since the Assumption of our Blessed Lady into Heaven, she has often appeared to her children on earth. But Mary appeared on the mountain of La Salette, as she never appeared before.

1. She was seen in grief, with all the signs of the most profound sorrow; she shed abundant tears whilst speaking to the children; she carried on her breast the image of her Divine Son nailed to the cross, with the other tokens of His sufferings.

2. Nowhere had she ever invited her people to conversion with words so touching, and in so pressing a manner. Never before did she call sinning men back to Christ, by a living representation of the scene on Calvary, where she stood as the Mother of Sorrows at the feet of her expiring Son, all, doubtless, on account of the enormity of our sins in this age.

3. Again, how remarkable that the Apparition should have happened on the eve of the very day, which the Church has appointed to commemorate the Seven Dolours of our Blessed Lady.

Let us faithfully pray the Prayer to Our Lady of La Salette:

Remember, Our Lady of La Salette, true Mother of Sorrows, the tears which thou didst shed for me on Calvary; be mindful also of the unceasing care which thou dost exercise to screen me from the Justice of God; and consider whether thou canst now abandon thy child, for whom thou has done so much. Inspired by this consoling thought, I come to cast myself at thy feet, in spite of my infidelity and ingratitude. Reject not my prayer, O Virgin of reconciliation, convert me, obtain for me the grace to love Jesus Christ above all things and to console thee, too, by living a holy life, in order that one day I may be able to see thee in heaven. Amen.
~~Indulgence of 500 days. ~~

Our Lady of Ransom novena

This is my prayer to you, my prayer for your favor. In your great love, answer me, O God, with your help that never fails: rescue me from sinking in the mud; save me from my foes.

The Blessed Virgin appeared in 1218 in separate visions to St. Peter Nolasco, St. Raymond of Penafort and James, king of Aragon, asking them to found a religious order dedicated to freeing Christian captives from the barbarous Saracens or Moors, who at the time held a great part of Spain. On August 10, 1218, King James established the royal, military and religious Order of our Lady of Ransom (first known as the Order of St. Eulalia, now known as the Mercedarian Order), with the members granted the privilege of wearing his own arms on their breast.

Therefore let us faithfully pray Novena to our Lady of Ransom ( may all our prayers be mercifully received ):

Blessed be Thou, O Mary, the honor and the joy of Thy people!
On the day of Thy glorious Assumption, Thou didst take possession of Thy queenly dignity for our sake; and the human race record all of Thy merciful interventions. The captives whose chains Thou hast broken, and whom Thou hast set free from the degrading yoke of the Saracens, may be reckoned in the millions.
We are still rejoicing in the recollection of Thy dear Birthday; and Thy smile is sufficient to dry our tears and chase away the clouds of grief.
And yet, what sorrows there are still upon the earth, where Thou Thyself didst drink such long draughts from the cup of suffering!
Thou alone, O Mary, canst break the inextricable chains, in which the cunning prince of darkness entangles the dupes he has deceived by the high-sounding names of equality and liberty. Show thyself a Queen, by coming to the rescue. The whole earth, the entire human race, cries out to Thee, in the words of Mordochai: “Speak to the King for us, and deliver us from death!” (Esther 15: 3)
(here we state our prayer request )
Let us Pray. O God, Who through the most glorious Mother of Thy Son wast pleased to give new children to Thy Church for the deliverance of Christ's faithful from the power of the heathen, grant, we pray Thee, that we who affectionately honor her as the Foundress of so great a work, may, by her merits and intercession, be delivered from the slavery of sin and the eternal flames of Hell. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, One God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Blessed Feast of our Lady of Sorrows

Today as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, it comes the day after the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. Even though we know that Our Lord has triumphed victoriously through His Cross and Resurrection, nonetheless, the pain and the anguish in which Our Lady would have been suffering as she stood at the foot of the Cross is certainly recognized and celebrated. It is celebrated for a very particular reason, first of all, because she became our mother at the foot of the Cross. "When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!'. Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!’" (Jn 19:26-27).


In the solemnity of this feast, we principally remember Mary on Calvary where she suffered the supreme sorrow of all sorrows that filled her life. Indeed, so great was Mary's grief on Calvary that, had it been divided among all creatures capable of suffering, it would have caused them all to die instantly.
Our Lord's suffering on the cross is magnified through our Lady of Sorrows. That is her role. She magnifies the Lord. As the Gospel of John dramatically presents her, Mary stands “near the cross of Jesus. Is there a greater pain than for a mother to witness the death of her son in public, under the atmosphere of shame and ridicule, under condemnation and after a grueling tortures beyond the imagination of men? Mary experienced such supreme pain, humiliation, loss and trials. And she did it with grace, courage, detemination and faith.
Once again our beloved and unforgettable Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical Redemptoris Mater, commented:
Simeon's words seem like a "Second Annunciation" to Mary for they tell her of the historical circumstances in which the Son is to accomplish his mission, namely in misunderstanding and sorrow ... They also reveal that she will have to live her obedience of faith in suffering at the Saviour's side and that her motherhood will be mysterious and sorrowful.

Mary our Mother teaches us not to complain in the midst of trials as we know she never would. She encourages us to unite our sufferings to the sacrifice of her only begotten Son and so offer them as spiritual gifts for the benefit of our family, the Church, and all humanity.
May each one of us, precisely through the concrete reality of Mary's universal motherhood, fully acknowledge her as our own Mother, and trustingly commend ourselves to her maternal love.
Therefore let us faithfully pray and render our heartfelt consolation to our Sorrowful Mother Mary :

O Mother of Sorrows, thou,
who beneath the Cross of Jesus
were given to us as our Mother,
look down with pity on us,
thy children, who weep and mourn in this valley of tears.
By that swords of sorrow which pierced thy Heart
when thou looked upon the Face of thy dead Son,
obtain for us that comfort
we so sorely need in our sufferings.

Thou were given to us our Mother
in the hour of thy greatest grief
that thou might be mindful of our frailty
and the evils that press upon us.
Without thy aid, O Sorrowful Mother,
we cannot gain the victory
in this struggle against flesh and blood.
Therefore, we seek thy help,
O Queen of Sorrows,
lest we fall prey to the wiles of the enemy.
We are orphans in need of the guiding hand of our Mother
amid the dangers that threaten our destruction.
Thou whose grief was boundless as the sea,
grant us by the memory of those sorrows
the strength to be victorious.

Intercede further, O Mother of Sorrows,
for us and all who are near and dear to us,
that we may ever do the Will of thy Son,
and may direct all our actions to His honour,
and to the furtherance of devotion to thy sorrows.
Amen.

Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. Amen

Prayer for Tuesday

Knowest thou, sweet Mary,
Whereto I aspire?
It is my hope to love thee,
This is my desire.

I would ever be near thee,
Queen most fair and sweet!
Do not, do not drive me
From my Mother's feet.

Then, O Rose most lovely!
Let me hear from thee.
Loving Mother! tell me
What thou wilt of me.

More I cannot offer,
Lo! I bring my heart;
Lovingly I give it,
Never from thee to part.

Lady, thou didst take it,
It is no longer mine:
Long since thou didst love it,
And its love was thine!

Do not, then, forsake me,
Mother of sweet Love,
Till one day thou see me
Safe in Heaven above.

( prayer written by Saint Alphonsus Liguori)

Blessed Feast of Holy Name of Mary ( September 12 )

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary .
We venerate the Name of Mary because it belongs to her who is the Mother of God, the holiest of creatures, the Queen of heaven and earth, the Mother of Mercy. The object of the feast is the Holy Virgin bearing the name of Mirjam (Mary); the feast commemorates all the privileges given to Mary by God and all the graces we have received through her intercession and mediation. It was instituted in 1513 at Cuenca in Spain, and assigned with proper Office to 15 Sept., the octave day of Mary's Nativity.( catholic encyclopedia New Advent )
To ponder the name of Mary is to meditate on all facets of our Redemption, from the still serenity of Bethlehem to the bitter sorrows of Calvary.
"When we talk on earthly subjects or politics, we grow weary," wrote St. John Vianney [+1859], "but when we talk of the Holy Virgin, it is always new."
Like a recitation of the Rosary, which keeps the historical particulars of salvation history ever before our minds and hearts, a meditation on Our Lady's name will bless us with peace and hope in God's endless Mercy .
Our Lord desires that we invoke Mary's Holy Name in our trials and necessities, as did John Sobieski and the Catholic warriors at Lepanto. He has proven this again and again, and the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary is yet another reminder that when we invoke this name, we call upon not only a Queen, not only a Mother , but upon an Intercessor, Advocate and Mediatrix:
"As wax melts before fire, so do the evils lose their power against those souls who remember the name of Mary and devoutly invoke it." [St. Bonaventure + 1274]

Therefore let us faithfully pray the Litany of the Holy Name of Mary

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter,
have mercy on us.
Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother,
have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, of Whom Mary is the spouse,
have mercy on us.
Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid,
have mercy on us.
Invocations and Response
1. Mary, Mother of the Living God, pray for us.
2. Mary, daughter of the Light Eternal, pray for us.
3. Mary, our light, pray for us.
4. Mary, our sister, pray for us.
5. Mary, flower of Jesse, pray for us.
6. Mary, issue of kings, pray for us.
7. Mary, chief work of God, pray for us.
8. Mary, the beloved of God, pray for us.
9. Mary, Immaculate Virgin, pray for us.
10. Mary, all fair, pray for us.
11. Mary, light in darkness, pray for us.
12. Mary, our sure rest, pray for us.
13. Mary, house of God, pray for us.
14. Mary, sanctuary of the Lord, pray for us.
15. Mary, altar of the Divinity, pray for us.
16. Mary, Virgin Mother, pray for us.
17. Mary, embracing your Infant God, pray for us.
18. Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom, pray for us.
19. Mary, ocean of bitterness, pray for us.
20. Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
21. Mary, suffering with your only Son, pray for us.
22. Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow, pray for us.
23. Mary, torn with a cruel wound, pray for us.
24. Mary, sorrowful even unto death, pray for us.
25. Mary, bereft of all consolation, pray for us.
26. Mary, submissive to the law of God, pray for us.
27. Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus, pray for us.
28. Mary, Our Lady, pray for us.
29. Mary, Our Queen, pray for us.
30. Mary, Queen of Glory, pray for us.
31. Mary, glory of the Church Triumphant, pray for us.
32. Mary, Blessed Queen, pray for us.
33. Mary, advocate of the Church Militant, pray for us.
34. Mary, Queen of Mercy, pray for us.
35. Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering, pray for us.
36. Mary, exalted above the angels, pray for us.
37. Mary, crowned with twelve stars, pray for us.
38. Mary, fair as the moon, pray for us.
39. Mary, bright as the sun, pray for us.
40. Mary, distinguished above all, pray for us.
41. Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus, pray for us.
42. Mary, our hope, pray for us.
43. Mary, our sweetness, pray for us.
44. Mary, glory of Jerusalem, pray for us.
45. Mary, joy of Israel, pray for us.
46. Mary, honor of our people, pray for us.
47. Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
48. Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
49. Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us.
50. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
51. Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
52. Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa, pray for us.
53. Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us.
54. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
55. Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us.
56. Mary, Our Lady of Dolors, pray for us.
57. Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us.
58. Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
59. Mary, Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
60. Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe, pray for us.
61. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
I will declare your name unto my brethren.
I will praise you in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Us Pray:

O Almighty God, Who beholds Thy servants earnestly desiring to place themselves under the shadow of the name and protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, grant, we beseech You, that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all evil on earth, and may arrive at everlasting joys in Heaven, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Gregorian Chant - Salve Regina

Salve Regina, mater misericordiae: vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. Amen.
Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix.
Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Hail holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.Amen

Sep 08 - Homily - Fr Bonaventure: The First Rays of Redemption

For four thousand years many souls were born into to the world but only one of these would bring the Savior of mankind. The dawn of light appeared in the dark of sin, through the birth of the sinless Virgin Mary .

Happy Birthday Holy and ever Immaculate Mary , pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death , Amen

Joyful Feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary ( September 8 )

Happy Birthday Holy and ever Immaculate Mother Mary !

Let us faithfully pray :

Sweet Child Mary, destined to be the Mother of God and our sovereign and loving Mother, by the prodigies of grace you lavish upon us, mercifully listen to my humble supplications. In the needs which press upon me from every side and especially in my present tribulation, I place all my trust in you.O Holy Child, by the privileges granted to you alone and by the merits which you have acquired, be merciful to me this day. Show that the source of spiritual favors and the continuous benefits which you dispense are inexhaustible, because your power with the Heart of God is unlimited. Deign through the immense profusion of graces with which the Most High has enriched you from the first moment of your Immaculate Conception, grant me, O Celestial Child, my petition, and I shall eternally praise the goodness of your Heart.

Most Holy Infant Mary, Pray For Us!

Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, chose the incomparable Virgin Mary from among all creatures to be His Mother and deigned to be nourished and governed by her.
In His infinite goodness, He also gave her to be our Queen, our Mother and our sure Refuge in all our needs.
He, therefore, wishes us to honor her as He honors her, and to love her as He loves her. Mary always held and will hold forever the first place in the Sacred Heart of her Divine Son; she always was and will never cease to be the first object of His Love after the Eternal Father; and so He wishes that, next to God, she should be the principle object of our devotion. For this reason, after the devotion , worship and love we owe to the Divine Majesty of God, we cannot render a greater service to Jesus Christ or do anything more pleasing to Him than to serve and honor and venerate His most worthy Mother!

Mary is Heaven's masterpiece, the Empress of Heaven Mary is Heaven’s masterpiece, the Empress of Heaven, its joy and its glory, in whom everything is heavenly. She is clothed with the eternal Sun of the Godhead and with all the perfection of the Divine Essence, which surround, fill and penetrate her to such an extent that she has become transformed, as it were, into the power, goodness and holiness of God. She has the moon under her feet to show that the entire world is beneath her. None is above her save only God, and she holds absolute sway over all created things. The heart of the Mother of God is a world of marvels, an abyss of wonders, the source and principle of all the virtues which we admire in our glorious Queen. Her heart is a vast sea of grace, a measureless ocean of perfection, an immense furnace of love. The heart of Mary is the spiritual part of the soul and the heart divine, for it is none other than the love of God.

Jesus is the principle of life in His most holy Mother. So it is that He is the Heart of her Heart and the life of her life. Every homage rendered to Mary is rendered to her Son, likewise he who dishonors her dishonors Him! Indeed every heart, every pen and every tongue should be employed in loving, in writing and in speaking of the incomparable Heart of Mary. The heavens are a special work of God’s Hands, but the Heart of the Mother of God is the unequaled masterpiece of His omnipotence, His unfathomable wisdom and His infinite goodness.

“The admirable Heart of Mary is the Heaven of Heavens,” says St. Bernard, “because it contains the entire Church as all the children of the Church receive through Mary the life of grace.” The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, like a good mother, carries all her children in her Heart. God resides more gloriously and works far greater wonders in the Heart of Mary than the sun in the universe. What is the throne of Christ, if not the Heart of His dearest Mother! It is the consolation of the suffering souls in Purgatory, the joy of the faithful on earth, the exaltation of the angels and saints in Heaven … the delight of the Most Blessed Trinity! Take away the Heart of Mary, the true sun of the Christian World, and what is left but darkness, the shadow of death and the night of the grave.

Therefore let us rejoice in the Nativity of Blessed Virgin and ever Immaculate Mary , through whom we received the gift of life and redemption , we became brothers and sisters with Jesus Christ and forgiven children of God !