LENTEN REFLECTION ON THE SORROWS OF JESUS, THROUGH MARY. Welcome dear brethren, to the NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF DOLORS ( OUR LADY OF SORROWS ). For Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. For World Peace, especially in Venezuela. For our own personal intentions, Amen. Our Novena to our Sorrowful Mother, will end on Good Saturday. THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY. V: O God, come to my assistance; R: O Lord, make haste to help me V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Why Devotion to the Heart of Our Mother in Her Sorrows? Because Jesus wants this devotion. “Jesus Christ Himself revealed to Blessed Veronica of Binasco, that, He is more pleased in seeing His Mother compassionated than Himself.” He said to her: ‘My daughter, tears shed for My Passion are dear to Me; but as I loved My Mother Mary with an immense love, the meditation on the torments which She endured at My death is even more agreeable to Me.’ “Wherefore the graces promised by Jesus to those who are devoted to the dolors of Mary are very great.” An indulgence of 5 years. An indulgence of 7 years each day in September. A plenary indulgence once a month on the usual conditions, if these prayers are recited daily (Pius VII, Audience Jan. 14, 1815). Invocations Holy Mother, pierce me through; In my heart each wound renew, Of my Saviour crucified. (Roman Missal). An indulgence of 500 days. A plenary indulgence under the usual conditions, if prayed devoutly every day for a month (S.P. Ap., Aug. 1, 1934). Mary most sorrowful, Mother of Christians, pray for us. An indulgence of 300 days. (Pius X, Audience, June 4, 1906) Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us. Virgo dolorosissima, ora pro nobis. An indulgence of 300 days. An indulgence of 5 years, if, in honor of the B.V.M. Sorrowing, the Hail Mary is devoutly recited 7 times followed by the above. invocation. once (S.P. Ap., Nov. 22, 1934). Prayers to the Sorrowful Mother (from the Raccolta) Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into Thy heart, pierced by so many swords, do Thou welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the companion of Thy sorrows at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus died for the redemption of the world. With Thee, O sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer all the trials, contradictions, and infirmities which it shall please Our Lord to send me. I offer them all to Thee in memory of Thy sorrows, so that every thought of my mind, and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and of love for Thee. And do Thou, sweet Mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to Thy divine Son Jesus, keep me in His grace and assist me in my last agony, so that I may be able to meet Thee in Heaven and sing Thy glories. Amen. An indulgence of 500 days — (S.C. Ind., Mar. 20, 1887). Most holy Virgin and Mother, whose soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the Passion of Thy divine Son, and Who in His glorious Resurrection wast filled with never-ending joy at His triumph; obtain for us who call upon Thee, so to be partakers in the adversities of Holy Church and the sorrows of the Sovereign Pontiff, as to be found worthy to rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and peace of the same Christ our Lord. Amen. An indulgence of 500 days (Pius X, Rescript in his own hand, Jan. 25, 1906). The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus on the Cross, with Mary and Saint John. When speaking about suffering, I am not just talking theory. Nor do I limit myself to other people’s experience when I tell you that the remedy is to look at Christ, if when faced with suffering, you at some time feel that your soul is wavering. The scene of Calvary proclaims to everyone that afflictions have to be sanctified, that we are to live united to the cross. If we bear our difficulties as Christians, they are turned into reparation and atonement. They give us a share in Jesus destiny and in his life. Out of love for men he volunteered to experience the whole gamut of pain and torment. He was born, lived and died poor. He was attacked, insulted, defamed, slandered and unjustly condemned. He knew treachery and abandonment by his disciples. He experienced isolation and the bitterness of punishment and death. And now the same Christ is suffering in his members, in all of humanity spread throughout the earth, whose head and firstborn and redeemer he is. Suffering is part of Gods plans. This is the truth, however difficult it may be for us to understand it. It was difficult for Jesus Christ the man to undergo his passion: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but yours be done.” In this tension of pleading and acceptance of the Father’s will, Jesus goes calmly to his death, pardoning those who crucify him. This supernatural acceptance of suffering was, precisely, the greatest of all conquests. By dying on the cross Jesus overcame death. God brings life from death. The attitude of a child of God is not one of resignation to a possibly tragic fate; it is the sense of achievement of someone who has a foretaste of victory. In the name of this victorious love of Christ, we Christians should go out into the world to be sowers of peace and joy through everything we say and do. We have to fight — a fight of peace — against evil, against injustice, against sin. Thus do we serve notice that the present condition of mankind is not definitive. Only the love of God, shown in the heart of Christ, will attain the glorious spiritual triumph of men. Christ is Passing By, 168 Sweetest Sorrowful Mother Mary, You too, Suffered Greatly with Thy Son Jesus. Help us to Bear the Daily Crosses of our lives, now that we will be Celebrating Jesus Victory on the Cross this coming September the 14TH, Amen. Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father.... ------------------------------ Day 3 Pray for Fathers at the Birth of their Child At first I was petrified, Jon told me. Petrified that I would faint or get in the way or not know what to do to help Sarah. But then I prayed to Mary. I know, praying to Mary is something you?d think a mother would be doing. But somehow, I think Mary understood Saint Joseph more than anyone else. She probably saw the fear in his eyes and sensed the restlessness of his heart. She probably spent a lot of time praying for him as well. And when I prayed to Mary for my child about to be born, I knew she understood and heard me and prayed for me to her son. At first I was petrified, and then I put everything into Gods hands. -- Third Sorrow – The loss of the Boy Jesus. alt“After they had completed three days of the feast and were returning home, the Boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem without His parents knowing it. After three days they found Him in the Temple, seated in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” (Lk 2:43-46, 48-49) I wonder if the words of psalm 68 came to Marys mind during these terrible days of loss - worn out with calling, my throat is hoarse, my eyes are strained, looking for my God. We know the story well. Jesus was twelve years old now and was naturally allowed to mingle with the other young boys of His age. However when evening came He was nowhere to be found. Mary and Joseph retraced their steps to Jerusalem, asking at each caravan they met if they had seen the Boy? They hurried into the city dreading the worst. Had Simeons sword finally fallen on the Lad? Where can He be? and finally they found Him in the Temple among the Doctors. It is easy to imagine the pent-up frustration and anxiety of the parents, only to receive in answer to Marys question “Son why have you done this to us?”, the rather enigmatic and harsh reply: “why were you looking for Me?” “The revelation of His mystery as Son wholly dedicated to His Fathers affairs proclaims the radical nature of the Gospel, in which even the closest of human relationships are challenged by the absolute demands of the Kingdom. Mary and Joseph fearful and anxious did not understand His word. (John Paul 11) Twelve wonderful years had just passed and perhaps they thought the worst dangers were over, but this wholly unexpected sword-thrust from their very own Son was a shocking revelation to them. It is true that in the end they found Him, but these three days were like a preview of the three last days of Holy Week - the mock trial, death, and burial of Jesus. And then quietly Jesus went down to Nazareth and was subject to them. It was an austere lesson - an anti climax - and once again Mary had to ponder these things in her heart. It is a lesson He wants to teach us too. Years later He was to say during a sermon “Seek and you shall find.” Gerald Vann could have been commenting on these words when he wrote: If after all the trials and discouragements in our life we are ready at last to love Him, we will find Him, and He will go down with us as He went down with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth AND WILL GIVE US IN FULL MEASURE, AS HE GAVE TO THEM, AND EVERLASTINGLY, HIS COMPANIONSHIP AND JOY AND PEACE. -- Sorrow 3 - Loss of Jesus For Three Days (Luke 2:41-52) And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, and when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a days journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered, And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know, that I must be about my fathers business? And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men. When Jesus is twelve, He is taken to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. On the return journey Joseph and Mary find at the end of the first day that Jesus is not with them. Racked with anxiety, they search for Him. Nobody in the streets, not even the beggars, can tell them where He is. Not till the third day do they find Him, in the Temple. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the lost of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Recite seven (7) Hail Marys O Sorrowful Mother, pierce my heart through, and every wound of Christ renew in my heart. ------------------------------------- Holy Mother of God, hear the prayers of the Church for all mothers, especially those wearied by life and overcome by the suffering they bear for their children. Hail Mary... O Mother of the Word Incarnate, intercede for them from your place in heaven, that the mercy of your divine Son might lighten their burden and give them strength. Hail Mary... Glory to the Father.... As we contemplate this Mother, whose heart a sword has pierced (cf. Luke 2:35), our thoughts go to all the suffering women in the world, suffering either physically or morally. In this suffering a womans sensitivity plays a role, even though she often succeeds in resisting suffering better than a man. It is difficult to enumerate these sufferings; it is difficult to call them all by name. We may recall her maternal care for her children, especially when they fall sick or fall into bad ways; the death of those most dear to her; the loneliness of mothers forgotten by their grown-up children; the loneliness of widows; the sufferings of women who struggle alone to make a living; and women who have been wronged or exploited. Then there are the sufferings of consciences as a result of sin, which has wounded the womans human or maternal dignity: the wounds of consciences which do not heal easily. With these sufferings too we must place ourselves at the foot of the Cross. Blessed Pope John Paul II. Litany of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. Mother of the Crucified, pray for us. Sorrowful Mother, pray for us. Mournful Mother, pray for us. Sighing Mother, pray for us. Afflicted Mother, pray for us. Foresaken Mother, pray for us. Desolate Mother, pray for us. Mother most sad, pray for us. Mother set around with anguish, pray for us. Mother overwhelmed by grief, pray for us. Mother transfixed by a sword, pray for us. Mother crucified in thy heart, pray for us. Mother bereaved of thy Son, pray for us. Sighing Dove, pray for us. Mother of Dolors, pray for us. Fount of tears, pray for us. Sea of bitterness, pray for us. Field of tribulation, pray for us. Mass of suffering, pray for us. Mirror of patience, pray for us. Rock of constancy, pray for us. Remedy in perplexity, pray for us. Joy of the afflicted, pray for us. Ark of the desolate, pray for us. Refuge of the abandoned, pray for us. Shield of the oppressed, pray for us. Conqueror of the incredulous, pray for us. Solace of the wretched, pray for us. Medicine of the sick, pray for us. Help of the faint, pray for us. Strength of the weak, pray for us. Protectress of those who fight, pray for us. Haven of the shipwrecked, pray for us. Calmer of tempests, pray for us. Companion of the sorrowful, pray for us. Retreat of those who groan, pray for us. Terror of the treacherous, pray for us. Standard-bearer of the Martyrs, pray for us. Treasure of the Faithful, pray for us. Light of Confessors, pray for us. Pearl of Virgins, pray for us. Comfort of Widows, pray for us. Joy of all Saints, pray for us. Queen of thy Servants, pray for us. Holy Mary, who alone art unexampled, pray for us. Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of grief pierced through the most sweet soul of Thy glorious Blessed Virgin Mother Mary: grant that we, who celebrate the memory of her Seven Sorrows, may obtain the happy effect of Thy Passion, Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen. The Stabat Mater At the Cross Her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through Her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed. Oh, how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother highly blessed Of the sole-begotten One! Christ above in torment hangs, She beneath beholds the pangs Of Her dying, glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep Whelmed in miseries so deep Christ’s dear Mother to behold? Can the human heart refrain From partaking in Her pain, In that Mother’s pain untold? Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, She beheld Her tender Child, All with bloody scourges rent, For the sins of His own nation Saw Him hang in desolation Till His spirit forth He sent. O Thou Mother! fount of love, Touch my spirit from above. Make my heart with Thine accord: Make me feel as Thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt With the love of Christ, my God. From The Way of The Cross according to the method of St. Alphonsus Liguori. The Stabat Mater. Oh Most Sorrowful Mother Mary, Pray for us and for World Peace. God Bless our hearts and our humble petitions, Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 04:29:13 +0000
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