New Marian Consecration site to check out.....

New site to check out:

                            http://www.myconsecration.org

Blog Closed

This blog is no longer active.

Update

Dear Blog readers,
For a variety of reasons the blog participants ended up really enjoying the book but found that they did not feel called to blog or did not have the time.  For myself, I have had computer troubles for about 4 months. I finally have a new computer...yeah!
As for the book, The Echo of God, it is excellent.  My husband just finished it and hopes to reread it in the near future.  I hope he blogs his "end of book" thoughts.
I am about 3/4 of the way through the book and have been going back and forth between "The Echo of God" and a book recommended by my new spiritual director. Both have been helpful in my own spiritual journey.
If you are considering reading the book my advice is to read it.  It will be a blessing.
To Jesus through Mary and with Mary!
Ruth

Corrine, parags 144-150 Third Motive

Ruth it was good to see you blogging in the same general area that I am in the book.
Third Motive for this Consecration
When the time would come that I’d truly give my whole self to Mary…she gives her whole self back………in countless graces, fills me with her merits and her power and her light and her love and her virtues, humility, faith, purity….. Incredible gifts! What a way to go on the journey of salvation, IF I’d only give my whole self, my all! And how pleasing we would be with Jesus in this state with Mary’s intercession. And how Mary would purify our good works from stain of self-love that still creeps in; and how she would embellish our works with HER merits and virtues; she’d present them to Jesus who can’t refuse His mother so they’d be acceptable to Him. How perfect! [the apple on the golden platter would probably even have a worm hole in it] Mary would save the day. How unbelievably pleasing to Jesus Christ my Savior…… IF I’d only truly give my whole self over to Jesus through Mary. They are lovingly waiting for me to give in!

Ruth: Par 143

The previous paragraph lets of necessity of Mary's mediation and how unworthy we are go approach God's infinite Majesty by ourselves. I understand that and realize that even through Jesus came as that mediator to repair our relationship with the Father we follow His example and submit and utilize Mary.  Yet in par. 143 after talking about our need for humility St. Louie states, "On the contrary, when you are bold enough to approach God without a mediator, God flies from you and you cannot reach Him."  What about our Protestant friends who believe Jesus is the only mediator and they seem to have a very personal relationship with Jesus.   I know we have discussed this in the previous book but the wording is touch.  "God flies from you" I can understand if we have proud heart but I believe not all who avoid Mary fit in this category.  I totally believe we have the fullness of faith and the most direct and sustaining way to the Father through Jesus, Mary and the Catholic Church.  The wording is tough to handle but in humility I have to add that St. Louie is the saint and I am not.
To Jesus ... through Mary forever!!!!!

Ruth: Par 139 - 140

A line that I have to pause and reflect on is, well there are lots of them but for the moment it is, "Oh, how highly we glorify God when, after the example of Jesus, we submit ourselves to Mary!"   Really now, isn't that all that has to be said. If Jesus is our model what more needs to be said. What humility Jesus exemplified.  
par. 140: powerful Trinitarian summary of God's self-created dependence on Mary

Hail Mary, full of Grace pray for us sinner now and at the hour of our death.

Ruth: Par 136-138

I am in NY and find it very stressful caring for mom. The stress has made me need to read more "light" reading than this wonderful "Echo of God" book but I am reading and rereading bits here and there.

Today in reading Par: 135 -138 I just really felt the simple reminder to place all this in Mary's hands.  In par. 136 it states, "But this devotion makes us give to Jesus and Mary, without reserve, all our thoughts, words, actions and sufferings, every moment of our life ...whatever we do, even without thinking of it, is, by virtue of our offering ... done for Jesus and Mary. What a consolation this is!"   I just want to do just that but often need the reminder. I want to get to the point where it is done without thinking of it.
Mary I give all to you forever to bring to Jesus forever.   (Including this stressful day. Please, make good out of it.)

Ruth: Par 135 -

I am in NY caring for mom and it has again knocked me out of my routine.  This morning I was reading a post on Spiritual Direction and it talked about our Rule of Life or Program of Life and how we really should not be taking "vacations" from them as we would our other responsibilities.  Anyway, it convicted me and before I start doing the laundry, cleaning house and taking mom for a ride I opened my "Echo of God" book.
In par. 135 it reminded me that "no employment more lofty than the service of God" and I of course took this to mean in all its forms including caring for my mother, a work of mercy.
It went on to say that a commitment to be of service to God makes us servants of God ...devoted entirely and without reserve, to the utmost extent possible and that this total commitment is made possible when we humbly place all in the hands of Mary to be brought to Jesus.
Opps... company here. More later.

Corrine: Questions pg. 115 and comments…

Before reading this section I just did not make the connection…..that my sins are a violation of my baptismal promises. I knew Baptism was important…but somehow that was done many! years ago and then this is now. I did not “get” the connection with the now.

1. How do I live every day with Jesus as my Master and Lord? Has my baptism truly changed my life? (another examination of conscience question)
St. Louis says that each Christian (parag 126) “has in his Baptism…solemnly renounced Satan, his pomps, and his works; and he has taken Jesus Christ for his Master and Sovereign Lord to depend upon Him in the quality of a slave of love.” My baptism has not truly changed my life…yet. Workin on it!
(parag. 129) The Catechism of the Council of Trent says “that we should devote and consecrate ourselves forever to our Redeemer and Lord as His very slave.” Fr. Harlow says we owe everything to Jesus, by virtue of our baptism.

5. How does the practice of true devotion make more effective my prayers for my relatives…?
We pray with more confidence when we pass all things through Mary’s hands. Our trust and surrender to her through this lifestyle of true devotion obtains many more graces. Mary’s prayer to Jesus is way more powerful that our prayer. And…she knows His will.
How will my consecration to Mary aid me after death?
Consecration to Mary helps me because of the constant conversion from sin and the growth in virtue. My ‘giving away’ of merits does not hurt me.

After reading this section….I want to check out the Catholic Catechism…on Baptism.

Mary and Jesus....help us do all things by-with-in-for you.
Back in parag 109..."But when he falls, he rises again by stretching out his hand to his good Mother."

Kim: The Month of Mary

Kim asked that I share this link. Enjoy this special month devoted to Mary.
=================================

Following is a link to the America Needs Fatima web site where there is a good article on the Month of Mary.

The Month of Mary

I thought you might like to share it with the Echo of God group.

Ruth: Par 120 - Application Question p. 110.

There were so many things to underline and reflect on as I was reading these paragraphs and the author's notes.
par 120: It was good to be reminded that the renewal of our Baptismal promises ratifies our consecration to Christ. ... Mary helps us reject Satan, by pointing out his snares and temptations, and leads us into a personal relationship with the Trinity in the Kingdom of God.  ... That is all so basic but such a good reminder.

par 121 - 126 talks about self-donation to Mary ..giving Mary the entire gift of ones self.   "This self-donation is so complete that we do not hope for any reward from her because of this offering except to belong completely to her Son, Jesus." We give out little and she give us her best, her Son.

The Application questions p. 110:  1.  In reflecting on question 1, I am finding that I am more frequently conscience of surrendering all to Mary.  Just as we renew our baptismal promises I find that I try to frequently renew my surrender all to Mary.  This question would be good to reflect on as part of my Examination in the evening.  Questions 3 and 4 will take lots more work. They are what I want to do but often don't remember to do.

Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Ruth: Par. 119 Constancy and Dying to self

As I have mentioned before, I am reading this second book on True Devotion because I have to have a focus in my spiritual life. Not read this author and that like I usually do. In par. 119 in the author's notes he states, "The key to constancy in this devotion will be the habitual exercise of doing all things by-with-in-for Mary in order to do them by-with-in-for Jesus, ..."  This constancy is what I am being called to so this really jumped out at me.
Later in this section the author writes, "These passive purifications are necessary in order for one to die to self and to grow spiritually."  That is a reminder I always need and am so thankful that I frequently hear from the pulpit.
Oh, Mary, help me to die to myself, my desired, my sinfulness, my self-centeredness and to live for-with-in the heart of Jesus.

Truth about Mary & Scripture - video

Beautiful: The Truth about Mary and Scripture .... video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUdYeYy3NQA&feature=player_embedded#at=18

A Readers note to me ....

Here is a note from one of our Readers/Bloggers...... I share this to let you know that some in the group are reading and enjoying the book without blogging.     ...    Mary, our mother, is with us all leading us all closer to Jesus.
------------------------------------------

Thanks for the Reading List.  And yes, I am still reading the book even though I'm not posting on the blog.  The book is really, really good.

 

I'm not posting to the blog because ... well, basically because it's not very convenient for me.  Our computer is not set up in a quiet place, and I seemed to get lots of interruptions/questions from the kids when I sit down to type. It's hard to gather my thoughts with the kids, and then I get distracted reading the comments others have posted, etc.  So, I'm sorry about failing at the blogging, but the material in the book is really great stuff.  Thank you for leading me to this book! And to the sanctuary of Mary's Immaculate Heart.

Corrine, parag. 108...Mary's virtues

I need to reflect on this whole section much more, but in the one part in the "humility" reading, this I highlighted "For the growth of this virtue, one can grow in humility by practicing one of these aspects of humility each month, and thus have a yearlong training in humility in the school of Mary. These virtues are not to be studied, but exercised."

To focus on one degree of humility at a time, instead of reading the list and thinking....how can I ever get "there"?! I must note one and have it with the daily Mass readings.....so I remember what I am focusing on because there are so many distractions! Oh Mary, our Mother, and Jesus, our Savior, open our hearts for the graces waiting and ready.

Upstate NY

Just to keep everyone updated... The reason I went so far ahead on the Reading List was because I will be spending the last two weeks of May in upstate New York (Plattsburgh area) caring for my mom.  I will have internet connection so I hope to keep reading, reflecting and posting.

Corrine, St. Faustina and Our Lady Prayer

When I saw this....I thought it fit into what we are reading....
Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska’s Prayer to Mary

O Mary, Immaculate Virgin,
Pure crystal for my heart,
You are my strength, O secure anchor!
You are a shield and protection for a weak heart.

O Mary, you are pure and unparalleled,
Virgin and Mother at one and the same time;
You are beautiful as the sun, by nothing defiled.
Nothing is worthy of comparison to the image of Your soul.

Your beauty enthralled the Thrice-Holy One’s eye,
That He came down from heaven, forsaking th’eternal See’s throne,
And assumed from Your Heart Body and Blood,
Hiding for nine months in the Virgin's Heart.

O Mother, Virgin, this will no one comprehend,
That the infinite God is becoming a man;
It’s only love’s and His inscrutable mercy’s purpose. Through You, Mother---it’s given us to live with Him for ever.

O Mary, Virgin Mother and Heaven’s Gate, Through You salvation came to us;
Every grace to us streams forth through Your hands,
And faithful imitation of You only will sanctify me.

O Mother, Virgin---most beautiful Lily.
Your heart was for Jesus the first tabernacle on earth,
And that, because Your humility was the deepest,
Wherefore You were raised above Angel choirs and Saints.

O Mary, my sweet Mother,
To You I turn over my soul, my body and my poor heart,
Be the safeguard of my life,
Especially at death’s hour, in the final fight." (Diary, 161)

Carmela - Keep The Blog Going!

Easter blessings to all!
I would love for the blog to continue. It has been difficult for me to do much of anything these past few weeks due to awful chronic pain and illness. The postings have been helpful and bring a sense of connectedness especially at those times when pain and illness can shower us with many temptations to "just quit." I have been reading the blogs and going through the book - ever so slowly - but I hope to begin posting again this weekend. There is always "something" in each and every post that I can take and hold for myself. Thanks Ruth for keeping this up and running. I ask for prayers as it has been very difficult for doctors to treat me as I am allergic to almost every med on the market! Peace to all!

Echo of God Reading List #4

Monday, May 2    Catch-up Day

Tuesday, May 3     par. 118 - 119

Wednesday, May 4  Application Questions p. 105-106

Thursday, May 5 par. 120 - 122     (Tom & Ruth's Anniversary #38)

Friday, May 6 par. 123 - 125

Saturday, May 7 Application Questions p. 110

Sunday, May 8 par. 126 - 129

Monday, May 9 par. 130 - 134

Tuesday, May 10 Application Questions p. 115

Wednesday, May 11 par. 134 - 138

Thursday, May 12 Application Questions p. 118

Friday, May 13 par. 139 - 143

Saturday, May 14 Application Questions p. 122

Sunday, May 15 par. 144 - 146

Monday, May 16 par. 147 - 150

Tuesday, May 17 Application Questions p. 127

Wednesday, May 18 par. 151 - 154

Thursday, May 19 par. 155 - 156

Friday, May 20 par. 157 - 158

Saturday, May 21 par. 159 - 164

Sunday, May 22 par. 165 - 168

Monday, May 23 Application Questions p. 143

Tuesday, May 24 par. 169 - 170

Wednesday, May 25 Application Questions p. 145

Thursday, May 26 par. 171 - 172

Friday, May 27 Application Questions p. 146

Saturday, May 28 par. 173 - 176

Sunday, May 29 par. 177 - 183

Monday, May 30 Application Questions p. 153

Tuesday, May 31 par. 184 - 190

Wednesday, June 1 par. 191 - 196

Thursday, June 2 par. 197 - 200

Friday, June 3 Application Questions p. 163

Janette: Par 105

Par 105 - "After having laid bare and condemned the false devotions to the most holy Virgin, we must, in a few words, give the characteristics of true devotion.  It must be: 1. Interior. 2. Tender. 3. Holy 4. Constant, and 5. Disinterested."   Dear St Louis, you have my utmost attention!  Please pray with us and for us - that it may be so ... with and for all of us!!!!!

Janette: Par 87- 89 - Fifth Truth

"We need Mary in order to preserve the graces and treasures we have received from God."  This section is worth its weight in gold and is a most perfect prelude into the false devotions section (which MaryJo just referred to).  I read and re-read Par 87-89 where St Louis unfolds much about the temptations that come from outside of ourselves - the world, the flesh and the devil. Mary is the remedy! In summation by Fr Harlow -  "The decisive fault by which we succumb to temptation is our lacking in humility." Again - Mary is the model and remedy!  (Don't skip this section no matter how far behind you feel you are!)Ruth - PLEASE don't close or forego this blog - I look forward to the next Reading List to be posted.  Keep us going - and growing!

I am really enjoying this book. I don't usually post anything, but I wanted to let you know this is a good study. I am afraid I wouldn't have found it on my own and it has already helped me in my spiritual growth. I am just starting where he is going to tell us the false devotions, so maybe I can catch up today! Mary Jo

Ruth Par. 95 -

In par. 95, I like how the structure of the Hail Mary was pointed out. "St. Louis uses the structure of the Hail Mary (Luke 1:41) to emphasize that blessing Mary first leads to blessing Jesus more perfectly." "Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy women, Jesus." Mary as a blessed women brought us Jesus.  Thank you, Mary!
At the end of par. 99 the author us the True Devotion lifestyle involves in the basic Christian duty to:
   --avoid mortal sin;
   --practice mortification;
   --pray and fast.   I guess that Lent is really just practice for the rest of the year.  I am really blessed that our pastor continually reminds us of these three elements of the spiritual life in his daily homilies. Now to live it out.
Par. 100 includes what I felt could be a prayer for ourselves as well as for our loved ones who are away from the church. "Lord, give _____(my family members) the intention of obtaining from God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the grace of contrition and pardon of sins and the grace to conquer their (his/her/my) evil habits, and not to remain quietly in the state of sin."
Par. 101 was music to my ears.  Sometimes I find I have committed to too much and it all becomes words from the lips not from the head and heart.  Here we are warned that it would be better for a person to choose a few prayers and fulfill them with faithfulness and love, in spite of the world, the devil and the flesh.  It is part of a warning but I guess it applies to me. The author adds explaining we should .... "practice one devotion well, with a renewed resolved of the will and with frequent recourse to spiritual direction and making a good examination of conscience."
The above is part of my desire to stick with this book.  In the past I have read half a book and then been given another book and read part of that and it continues. I have a huge bookshelf of half read spiritual books. After reading the last book on True Devotion I felt called to continue that focus so I am committed to reading this book and to making, with Mary's help, True Devotion a focus in my life.

Apologies

Dear Blogging Friends,
Since the wedding break I have had such a hard time getting reconnected with the book and blog.  I apologize for not being as disciplined as I should be.
Do any of you want to continue with the blog or are you working your way through the book without it.  I find the author's notes after each paragraph to be very good, reinforcing and explaining the text.
I plan to continue to read the book and will continue with the blog if others are willing.  Just let me know.
I hope you are having a joyous Easter season as Christ's resurrection strengthens our faith and gives us hope.  He is risen!
I look forward to your reply.
Ruth

Ruth: Par. 88

What a wonderful message to read during Holy Week.  Tom who is up to date with his readings told me I would really appreciate this reading.
There are several circumstances in my life where I can see the evil one working overtime to destroy relationships, friendships and marriages.  The lack of humility is evident in the situations. Now the author points out how Mary is a remedy and guards us from the evil one's attacks.
(Oh, Lord, thank you for Mary. May your mother always be my mother and lead me closer to you while safeguarding me from the evil one.  May she be my solid armor along with the Word of God.)
We need all the help we can get as we live in this spiritually dangerous world.

Carol--2nd week

I am just getting caught up. I just finished the week two reading list. My husband is having surgery Monday and hopefully I will be able to do week three while he is being operated on. I am so happy that I am not the only one way behind. Clay is way past week three. Please keep him in your prayers on Monday. Thanks everyone.

Janette: Par 75

St Louis:  "The strongest inclination of Mary is to unite us to Jesus Christ, her Son; and the strongest inclination of the Son is that we should come to Him through His holy Mother."  May we approach and live this truth of true devotion with liberty, without fear. 

Corrine: Parag. 68-76

Paragraph 68 Second Truth: We belong to Jesus & Mary as their slaves. We are expected to bear fruit for God. Through 1 Corinthians 6…. “Therefore glorify God in your body.” We are not here for ourselves. How many times do I need to be told that to live it! Paragraphs 69-72…I think I understand the “slave” concept now. Before reading this in this book I cringed when the author spoke of being slave (probably from previous connotation with that word, slave). #70 St. Louis said “because by slavery of the will we make choice of God and His service above all things…slavery of the will is the most perfect and most glorious to God…” In the commentary “in our lifestyle of true devotion we give our hearts & wills over to Jesus through Mary.” Then he mentioned the false starts and the retreats to selfishness (thanks for admitting that of us) but that we just keep up our efforts through mortification and spiritual growth…with that we will see that we must trust in God’s providence every moment. #72 We are to be a slave out of love as Jesus and Mary were. And they didn't even complain along the way! #75 St. Louis: “the strongest inclination of Mary is to unite us to Jesus Christ, her Son; and the strongest inclination of the Son is that we should come to Him through His holy Mother.” #76 We are all subject to Mary as Queen Mother and we honor Jesus as we make ourselves slaves of love to His Mother and so also to Jesus Himself.
A slave out of love...a temple of the Holy Spirit...heart and will over to Jesus through Mary...bear fruit for God. So many things to absorb and live!

Corrine: Parag. 61-67

In the process of catching up, I’ll copy & paste this in, parag. 40-54.
#40 It is incredible how many ways St. Louis shows that devotion to Mary (and then devotion to Jesus) is necessary for our salvation. #44 He says how we receive many graces from Mary when giving everything over to her. #50 We have to know her in order to seek her. Must pray daily for the gift of true devotion. #54 Mary will always expose Satan’s plots and guard us from him. What a Mother she is!

Paragraph 61 First Truth: Jesus is the last end of devotion to Mary: St. Louis stated that every one of us who is not united to Jesus “shall be fit only to be cast into the fire.” #62 Devotion to Mary is the means of our serving Jesus and loving Him. #67 As St. Louis prays to Jesus he mentions the many titles of Jesus…a time of reflecting on Jesus’ roles. And then the question “Where was I when I was not in Thy mind with Thee?” How often my choices warrant that question!

Carmela - absolutely continuing :o)

Thanks Ruth for your email - I too am behind but definitely still "with us". I didn't want to post anything from paragraphs in the 60's when we're in the 80's. Maybe we could have a catach-up day or two in the middle of the week and perhaps meet at paragraph 80 something? I love the readings and all the blogs - it was the perfect choice for Lent. Perhaps Our Lady can teach me spiritual speed reading!!

Janette: Ditto

Yes - to borrow your phrase - let us continue!

Reading List #3

As with many of you, I am behind on my readings and meditations. Catch-up as you can and do post to let us know that you are still "with us".
I am behind yet I find that this blog is challenging me to keep going when it would be so easy to put the book on the shelf as another half read book. I want what Jesus and Mary will surely gift me with if I continue in my effort to give my whole self to Jesus through and with Mary.  Let us continue........

Here is Reading List #3

Monday, April 11 par. 78 -79
Tuesday, April 12 par. 80-82
Wednesday, April 13  Application Questions p. 73-74
Thursday, April 14  par. 83-86
Friday, April 15, Application Questions p. 77
Saturday, April 16  par. 87-89
Sunday, April 17 Application Questions p. 80
Monday, April 18 par 90-91
Tuesday, April 19 Application Questions p. 82
Wednesday, April 20  par 92-95
Thursday, April 21 par. 96-100
Friday, April 22  par. 101-104
Saturday, April 23  Application Questions p. 89
Sunday, April 24  (Reflection and Catch-up Day)
Monday, April 25 par 105-107
Tuesday, April 26 par 108
Wednesday, April 27  par. 109-111
Thursday, April 28  par. 112-114
Friday, April 29  Application Questions  p. 100
Saturday, April 30  par 115-117
Sunday, May 1 application Questions p. 103-104

May you be blessed as you put for the effort to continue on this adventure to walk with Jesus and Mary.

Ruth ... update

Greetings everyone!
Thank you for keeping this blog going during my two week absence.
After attending our son's wedding last week in Pennsylvania and returning home we have had them as company for several days on their way back to Colorado.  Bryan and Heather are waiting until fall to take an official honeymoon because their "busy" time at work starts now.
It was so nice to center on family. I stepped back from everything and am so glad that I could.
My computer died yesterday so now I have to use my brother's to access the blog and email.
I hope to start reading the book and posts again this weekend.
Again, let us know how you are doing with the book, continue or being posting and know that your posting helps others.
I am rejoicing in the blessing of family and friends while wanting to get refocused.
Ruth

Janette: Side note

I am not meaning to 'overdo' my comments - but trying to honor Ruth's encouragement to us in her March 16th note - "To check in or post once a week"  Might this echo encourage you to do the same... I really do merit greatly from reading others' comments....

Janette: Jesus is the last end of all our devotions (Par 60 - 64)

 I am about a week behind in the readings but at the same time am not experiencing a sense to rush - Each section is worth the savor!  Chapter II - as much as I have read so far - is a GEM!

Living outside the Catholic Church for a decade +, then returning to the Church, one of my trepidations was having a relationship with Mary - at the expense of my already seemingly strong relationship with Jesus. This First Truth described by St Louis would have brought my quivering heart to peace - and actually, in a deeper sense, does that today!  He says, "...solid devotion to our Blessed Lady...establishes more perfectly devotion to Jesus Christ, and ... an easy and secure means of finding Jesus Christ.  If devotion to Our Lady removed us from Jesus Christ, we should have to reject it as an illusion of the devil..." (62)

St Louis' insights are timeless - Par 64 - where he speaks directly to Jesus and laments about Catholic Christians  - even the teachers among them - who speak rarely of Mary, are dry, indifferent.  He connects something else... "...all the while these teachers are without piety or tender devotion toward Thyself, simply because they have none for Mary."  He ends the Paragraph with nine heart-wrenching and rhetorical questions to Our Lord.  It is a precious and intimate passage to read and consider.... One really gains a sense of depth of love of St Louis - first, for Our Lord - which is most undoubtedly ever-strengthened through love of Our Lady. Whew - to gain such a heart!

Corrine, paragraphs 25 to 34

Paragraph 25
Mary received all the gifts of the Holy Spirit…and she dispenses the gifts by her choosing. “This heavenly privilege—dispenser of grace—is the fruit of the humility God found in Mary.” When I read this, I thought…if only I was more humble….what mission would God be able to accomplish through me? When I stick with the pride…I am a roadblock to that mission, rather than how Mary was-- the handmaid of the Lord. And like Carmela said…. ‘think about how God would love to trust us with more.’ By our unholiness….nonsaintliness, we hold God back. He and His Mother are anxiously, but patiently, waiting for us to “get it” and act like children of God!
Paragraph 28
When our soul is full of self-conceit and self-preoccupation….there is not room for grace, for God’s love. “As we live this lifestyle [of true devotion] we seek daily to be humble and to accept humiliations as part of our formation in sanctity---that God may empower us with His grace.” I surely am in formation and need a hit on the side of the head quite often!
Paragraph 31
If we cooperate and respond to grace, Mary will lead us along the narrow path toward the Kingdom of God, govern us in observance of the commandments, defend us from Satan. I am just amazed at the power Mary our Mother has in our salvation journey.
Paragraph 33
Yes, Carmela, this is comforting…..…in order to be conformed to the image of God…we are hidden in the womb of Mary…guarded from Satan, nourished on the Word of God, brought up in the practice of virtues, and made to grow through the Sacraments…until our day of birth into eternity….. Wow, what a Mother we have! I surely have not been giving her credit for all she is.
Paragraph 34
“The Holy Spirit wants Mary to form chosen souls and He aids her…” “Mary leads the soul in virtue and holiness.” Then St. Louis mentions her virtues…..faith, humility, mortification, prayer, charity, hope, purity. As if these aren’t enough….I think of her patience and her blind obedience, and her courage (as Carmela mentioned). From this I want to quote the last of commentary of paragraph 35 “How much we have to learn in the school of Mary, whose textbook is the life of Jesus Himself!” Oh, do I ever have “homework” to do!! Then in paragraph 36………. “When the Holy Spirit finds in a man’s or woman’s soul Mary’s virtues and a devotion to her, He communicates His gifts to that soul in measure to which that person is devoted to her. St. Michael, defend me in this battle with my weaknesses; Mary help my heart to be open; Father, Son and Holy Spirit praise to you for all you keep providing.
Application Question…#5 What do I do with those who show contempt for Our Lady or for my devotion to her? The first thing that came to mind, in paragraph 30…He who has not Mary for his Mother has not God for his Father… I need to pray for these people…and pray that I have the courage to speak up.
I need to pray the Humility prayer daily!
I recently read this in The Power of the Cross…: ASK..What temptations do I find hardest to resist? How might this reveal God’s intended purpose for me: SEEK..Reject sin. Learn to see in your temptations a perversion of God’s plan for you. Try to discern what it is that God might be calling you to do by looking at the areas of your life where you are most tempted.

Janette: Par 55-58 - lifestyle of true devotion and considerations in re: priests

I am first thinking of the WEDDING DAY today!  Oh, happy day!!!! All glory be to God in the day and in the witness of the marriage itself throughout the years!  Congratulations, Ruth, mother of the groom!

This book blog has been fuel for one of the deepest Lenten seasons I have entered and lived - for I have recognized a deep chasm of where I am - and where I am to go.  Rather than panic I hold peace.  Thank you, Mary, for allowing the graces of the Peace of Christ to enter... and rest in my soul.  Thank you to all in this group for your heartfelt insights and challenges!

Par 55: "...God wishes that His holy Mother should be at present more known, more loved, more honored than she ever has been."  The soul that senses this must be dedicated to this as a LIFESTYLE.  St Louis unfolds the benefits of living in this way of true devotion - Pg 50-51 - Fr Harlow delineates them - the pinnacle, of course, is a "greater focus on Jesus".

Par 56-58:  Emphasis on priests as especially chosen as apostles of Mary.  This section is RICH, RICH, RICH!  Priests submitting to greater purification will benefit with greater union with the Lord and His Will - and "kindle the fire of divine love everywhere". Their preaching will gain a missionary zeal.  A priest obtains special graces from Mary and enabled to preach with a 'new tongue', unveiling the Word of God and the Word-made-Flesh.  Mary forms him differently due to a priest's unique mission and also his unique comformity to Jesus.  There is an ensuing charism of miracles and a new power in priestly work. All this due to the Holy Spirit recognizing a priest who is dedicated to Mary - and thus wants to reside and act in that soul more fully (recurrent theme). There is so much more in these paragraphs...

 A summary line by Fr Harlow (pg 53): "The priest's soul having already gone through the ontological change at ordination in order to be 'in persona Christi' now receives additional graces through his consecration to Jesus through Mary such that Mary protects his priestly identitiy as much as she protected the life of Jesus in His infancy."

Thus my greatest support to any priest? Continued encouragement to be consecrated to Jesus through Mary - and prayer to enliven that lifestyle of true devotion.  When I experience disillusionment by a preist's action or words - may I begin my prayers in seeking the counsel and help of Mary - and trusting the unique and specific formation she desires for each of her priest-sons.  Holy Mary, may your tender and knowing motherly ways continue to form holy and generous priests for the good of the Church.  Amen.

Sorry-forgot my name on post-carmela

Par 27 - App Questions

Par 27 I see why Mary has been called Mystical Rose - as Song of Songs refers to her as the "enclosed Garden" of God - how beautiful! Mary "being transformed into God by grace.......she asks nothing, wishes nothing, does nothing contrary to the will of God" - God can trust her with ANYTHING. He doesn't have to be concerned with Mary having self-love or motivations that will be to her benefit. It made me think about how God would love to trust us with more and how we too are gently called by Him to let go of ourselves and seek ONLY His desires. I find myself falling more and more into Mary, with a deep longing for healing of those things that cause me to want what I want sometimes, rather than what He may want. In praying about this, I thought of the gift of courage that Mary had in order to carry out His will - it couldn't have been easy for her as she had to endure so much her whole life - yet, never said "no" to Him because, in our modern day language, they were infinitely "on the same page" - I pray for the gift of deeper courage and that our desire to be one with His Will will be granted us through the intercession of the most perfect Mystical Rose. Par 28 & 29...."God has empowered her and commissioned her to fill with saints the empty thrones from which the apostate angels fell by pride" WOW! She wants to make us saints!! - that we may glorify God by imitating her "virtues in the lifestyle of true devotion" by seeking daily "to be humble and to accept humiliations." I love how the author writes that God the Father desires "to create new children by Mary's spiritual maternity" - it just makes such perfect sense that He would allow Mary to grow us up! These writings are so beautiful that they can only be taken in by the heart and not the head. Par 33...I love how St. Louis quotes from St. Augustine saying that in order to be conformed to the image of the Son of God we have to be hidden in Mary's womb where we are "guarded, nourished, brought up and made to grow......until she has brought them forth to glory after death" - this makes me feel very safe and cared for by Mary - that she doesn't stop taking care of me, no matter how dense I can be sometimes - it gives me a tangible sense that all is well, as I try to live out true devotion. Summary of App questions: I never looked at Mary as the "Treasure of the Lord" because I really didn't know her so I never went to her for help - she was always "somewhere" in the background but there was no real depth in my relationship with her. I've alway wanted more - to love her but it just never seemed real. It has only been the past 12 years or so that she continues to become more and more real for me. I never could have imagined how good it could be. 6) How do I thank God for giving me such a good mother? I thank Him every day for the total healing He has done in my heart of a violent childhood which had kept me at a distance from Mary and God the Father - it has been a real miracle for me - first with the Father, then Mary. I can't imagine how I ever existed before. 10) How am I growing in my lifestyle to true devotion? I am becoming more aware, daily, of those things that are contrary to Mary such as lack of humility, harshness rather than gentleness, not wanting to be forgotten or unknown. I have found that I call on her immediately in those times and she remains gentle and consoling. I talk about her a lot more because there's a confidence in her that I never had making talking about her very natural. Trying to remember to call upon St. Michael more - that one's not too easy for me to remember! This book/blog has opened up a river of prayer with a limitless sense of the Goodness of God and Mary. I am very grateful.

Intro to par. 31

Because I am so far behind, I am only going to make a few comments so that I can concentrate on catching up. 1) I never gave it much thought about how little there is on Mary's life in the Bible. 2) On pg. 9: "admission to this sanctuary--the Immaculate Heart of Mary--is God's gift to those who practice true devotion;". 3) On pg. 10: "In living true devotion one has access to Mary's merits, charity, power and humility. The more we desire to possess them, the more she grants them to us." 4) On page 11 mentioned is how we need St. Michael as our ally in this true devotion. 5) The questions are really making me think outside the box. 6) On pg 17: "The world was unworthy, says St. Augustine, to receive the Son of God directly from the Father's hands. He gave Him to Mary in order that the world might receive Him through her. The Son of God became man for our salvation; but it was in Mary and by Mary." 7) On pg 21: "the more one is devoted to Mary the more one receives the Holy Spirit and His gifts."

Ruth: Reflections par. 26 - 34

I hope to catch up on my reading today but I don't want to rush through it.  Here are just a few highlights and comments on what I have read over the last week.
par. 26 Fr. Harlow's commentary ends with "We make progress in the lifestyle of true devotion to the degree ultimately that we make progress in love." The question that popped in my mind was, "Do we ever love enough those we love?" ... and what about those that are hard to love? ... and those who we are called to love and who don't love us?   Mary please teach me and help me to love more purely all the people the Lord calls me to love.

par. 27 Right at the beginning of this section we are reminded that Jesus is still Mary's most perfect son which includes obedience and submission toward the best of all mothers. I sometimes forget of the intimacy of this holy mother and son even now. Of course, Mary "does notheing contrary to the eternal and immutable will of God." ....thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ... it all ties together.

par. 28  notes was powerful to me. "Humility empties the soul of self-conceit and self-preoccupation in order for the soul to be filled with grace."  (Luke 1:52) "As we live this lifestyle we seek daily to be humble and to accept humiliations as part of our formationin sanctity -- that God may empower us with His grace." I am always drawn to the prayer of humility and appreciated that our last book offered that prayer as a lead in prayer for our reading and mediation times.  Humility is so beautifully exemplied in our Lady's magnificat.

par. 30 I struggled with this reading a bit when thinking about how my protestant friends fit into this. They love Jesus with their whole heart but are somewhat indifferent to Mary. Their influence actually pulled me away from Mary for many years. "He who has not Mary for his Mother has not God for his Father."  It makes sense as a statement and I know Mary as mother is part of God's plan but I can't wrap my head around it in relating to my protestant friends. I need to reread and pray about this section.

par. 34 - 34  Mary has lots of work to do.
I loved this section.  There is hope for me. From the commentary: "The Holy Spirit wants Mary to form chosen souls and He aids her in that formation process. Mary leads the soul in virtue and holiness. The Holy spirit ... finds her in those souls who practice her virtues, especially those of faith, humility, mortification, prayer, charity and hope." "The cooperation between Mary and the Holy Spirit, after having formed Jesus in human histtory, is now to form us into saints."     These sections reminded me of how frequently our pastor calls us, at daily Mass, to practice those same virtues especially humility, prayer and mortification. He really encourages us in our faith life and challenges us from the pulpit to grow in holiness by these same tools ...faith, humility, mortification, prayer, charity and hope.  Praise God for good and holy priest who are not afraid to call us to holiness.  ... "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".  (One additional though that just came to me is that I wonder how many people are in hell or purgatory because of priest no be pastors of souls. What a responsibility they and we have.  Let's pray for our pastors and for more good and holy leaders both ordained and lay leaders.

Time to prepare for Mass. Have a blessed Sunday


Publish Post

Tom Reflections 3/25/11

This past week in my daily devotional reading that I'm doing with the "That Man is You" men's program has been centered on the Blessed Virgin Mary, mercy, the Magnificat and the beatitude of mourning. The reading and reflections have dovetailed with St. Louis's True Devotion so I would like to share on these reflexion about our mother Mary.

+If you wish to be one of Christs beloved disciples, then learn from St. John how to take Mary into your home. There she will lead you into greater intimacy with Christ.

+Mary is the contemplative par excellence. Say the Rosary together with her. She will open for you the mysteries of Christs life. She will help you understand the pathway of God in our own life.

+Mary will not only help you to understand the pathways of God in your life but also help you embrace those pathways.

+The last words of Mary in scripture, her last teaching if you will, is "Do what ever He tells you." Such is the simplicity of her way. Mother Teresa stated the secret of her holiness was simply: "I never said no to God." Mary will help you say "yes" to God.

+Mary said "yes" to Christ all the way to the foot of the cross. Mary will help you to say "yes" to God without counting the cost. Mary's "yes" lead her to the foot of the cross where she became the Mother of Sorrows. Mary's "yes" made her "one" with Christ crucified. Mary will stand beside you so that your "yes" to the cross will be followed by a "yes" to the Resurrection.

Marian Feast Day - The Annunciation

FEAST of the ANNUNCIATION

March 25 

 

 

"The Virgin Mary utters that generous word, "be it done"

...Immediately the Heart of Jesus, ever to be adored,

has begun to pulsate with love, divine and human."

 Pius XII, On Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 63

"The best model for our thanksgiving

[after Holy Communion]

is Mary receiving the Word in her womb. 

The most pleasing reception we can make Jesus

and the one best and most rich in graces for us

is to join with His Blessed Mother

in adoring Him present in our hearts."

St Peter Julian Eymard

(Thanks, Janette, for your daily Eucharistic devotional)

Janette: Par 30 - 36 - Mary, Mother of all; Mary, the Holy Spirit and us!

Par 30: "He who has not Mary for his Mother has not God for his Father." Its rich context in Par 30 caused me to read and re-read the passage to better comprehend - and be better able to articulate the essence. St Louis puts great and an 'essential' emphasis on this point. Fr Harlow echoes:  "The rejection of Mary as mother breaks up God's plan for the family and ultimately distorts or corrupts the relationship with the individual and God the Father."  And later:  "The head (Jesus) and its parts (one and all) must be born together coming from the same mother. If Mary is not their mother then they are born of something else - they are deformed." It is much, much more than a sense of sinking in the arms of Mary or delighting in the security of being enfolded in her robes.  These images are wonderful, to be sure, but to recognize the deep level of relationship with Mary as Mother, truly Mother, brings tremendous liberty and spiritual well being.  St Louis talks of Mary 'striking roots' (Par 34, 35) - that is, planting virtues within a soul.  And as Tom reflected (and it bears repeating!) "When the Holy Spirit...has found Mary in a soul, He flies there.  He enters in His fullness;  He communicates Himself to that soul abundantly, and to the full extent to which it makes room for His spouse.  I soared when I read that - and last weekend I was reading this excerpt at a small dinner gathering in our home.  Wow - what discussion followed!  Fr Harlow adds:  "He (HS) commmunicates His gifts to that soul in the measure to which that person is devoted to her (Mary).  The more that one is devoted to Mary, the more the Holy Spirit will overshadow that soul with charisms and graces."  Yes, our lifestyle of true devotion will sanctify us and draw us to greater love, the bonds of love, everlasting love, love eternal. Yes, Mary, our Mother, is meant to form and educate us in the ways of holiness, the ways of love.  Mary, be a Mother to me now. (Bl Mother Teresa taught hundreds to pray this 'on your five fingers').

Tom Reflections Par. 33-36

What I'm finding is that there are many important points to the true devotion to Mary that I did not understand, failed to grasp, or see the importance of, and many of these are coming to light in the reading already.

In paragraph 33, St. Augustine's insight was very meaningful. "All the predestined . . . are in the world hidden in the womb of the most holy Virgin, were they are guarded, nourished, brought up and made to grow by the good Mother, until she has brought them forth to glory after death, which is properly the day of their birth, as the church calls the death of the just". The thought of being protected and nourished in her womb and that our true birth is when we physical die and are born into eternal live with our Lord is truly beautiful and an amazing point to ponder. "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus". WOW!!!

In paragraph 35, "Mary . . . will consequently produce the greatest saints that there will be in the end of time. The formation and education of the great saints who shall come at the end of the world are reserved for her. For it is that singular and miraculous Virgin who can produce in union with the Holy Spirit, singular and extraordinary things". This ring true to me. In the past I was tainted by protestant theology i.e., since there is only one mediator, Jesus, why go to Mary or anyone else for that matter. The one big hitch to that is that the people that I have most deeply admired for there sanctity, like John Paul II, Mother Theresa, St Maximillian Kolbe, St. Therese of Lisieux and most of the great saint I have read about have all had a huge devotion to Our Lady. In the back of my mind I'd tell myself, since the saints which have attained such a high level of sanctity saw Mary as a necessity to achieve this closer walk with our Lord, then what am I holding back for. Some of it was ignorance but much of it was just plain pride and the protestation influence.

Paragraph 36 continues to develop this. "When the Holy Spirit, her spouse, has found Mary in a soul, He flies there. . . . one of the greatest reasons why the Holy Spirit does not now do startling wonders in our soul is because He does not find there a sufficiently great union with his faithful and inseparable spouse". The commentary goes on to state that "the union of Mary and the Holy Spirit in a soul produces the greatest outpouring of the charismatic gifts, there is an indissoluble union. Our life style of true devotion bring us into the heart of their spousal relationship and the bond of their love". I never was truly aware of this spousal relationship of Mary with the Holy Spirit exception for our Lord's conception. It makes since to me now that these great saint that I have admired have understood this relationship profoundly. I pray that I too begin to understand and more truly live this true devotion to Mary.

Carol--Introduction

We finally received our books yesterday. Slow night at work and so I was able to get started. Better late than never!

I found reading the Act of Consecration more meaningful to myself this time. I did not realize that we could renew the Consecration daily.

Paragraphs 14 to 21 Application Questions

When I read question #2 “How does my devotion to Mary lead me to a greater dependence upon God the Father?” and question #4 “Do I trust Mary or do I feel I have to make a ‘name for myself’ on my own?” I thought of a section of the book Consecration to Mary by Fr. Helmuts Libietis pg 166ff. Hopefully my ‘connections’ aren’t too disjointed or that I’ve pulled too many things together…but this was my thinking when I read the questions.

The author (Libietis) speaks about devotion to Mary consisting in surrendering oneself to Mary and to Jesus through her. We leave everything to the free disposal of Mary, for her to use as she wills for the greater glory of God, of which she alone is perfectly aware… We give to her all our prayers and good works for her to distribute and apply where she wishes. [ My comments: If one empties oneself in devotion to Mary—then I surely am not still depending on myself and “my way” but then also I’ve emptied myself to God the Father, too. So in emptying myself—I trust Mary and am not trying to “make a name” for myself on my own. This makes me think………..when a person doesn’t know how to pray for a situation…..do I pray for this situation to be resolved in this way or another way? What is God’s will I wonder? In true devotion to Mary I’d leave it to her since she knows best.] “We must humbly request it of Our Lady, abiding always by her decision.” [Let Mary be the one inbetween since she does nothing contrary to the eternal will of God. Mary prays in perfect conformity to God’s will.]

Lisa paragraphs 18-20

I can only echo Carmela's words..... I so blindly never considered the relationship between Mary and the Holy Spirit. A great insight for me!

Carmela...Par. 18-20

This book is so beautifully packed that it is impossible to read one or two sentences without being thrust into deep prayer!

Par. 18 I love how St. Louis says "that He might make with her but one same sacrifice....by her consent". He then likens it to the offering of Isaac by Abraham. It really made me think about Mary's consent in the sacrifice of her son. That she was a full participant in, and not just a victim of, this sacrifice solely for us.

The author writes about "a divine paradox between 'imprisonment/liberty' and 'pleasure' in her womb and how this hiddenness of Jesus is a piece of the cross "in its most embryonic stage where He first lays down His life in obedience to the Father's Will." So much hiddenness in the womb of Mary and so much freedom and sacrifice all happening at the same time. I pray that we may all find ourselves hidden in this most blessed womb.

Par. 20 On the inseparability of Mary and the Holy Spirit - something I never really thought about - it gives me a whole new meaning and understanding of Mary's role in my life - a real active one. How beautiful said by St. Louis that the more the Holy Spirit finds Mary in a soul, the more "active and mighty He becomes in producing Jesus Christ in that soul, and that soul in Jesus Christ - our deepest desire.

Tom: Reflections - Par. 14-21

These paragraphs were packed with a lot of meaning for me. ... The perfect humility of our Lord's passion has always gotten my attention and Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" brought that into focus for me dramatically. The insight in paragraph 18 is that Jesus by living for 30 years in humble submission to Mary gave the Father more glory than by Jesus converting the whole world by working miracles. This brings into focus for me the importance of the joy we bring the Father when we humbly submit to Mary in True Devotion to her, as Jesus did.

In par 19 relating to the wedding feast of Cana the question it is asked if the married couple even know the dilemma the couple was in? How many acts of intercession to her Son does our perfect mother Mary do for us, on our behalf, without our knowledge? I intercede for my children daily, even more now than when they were younger. How much more must she, the perfect mother, intercede for us to Jesus without our knowledge and for what we really need, not for just what we think we need. What an awesome reality.

In par 20: The important insight for me here was the mention of the inseparability of the Holy Spirit and Mary, and the fact that the more Mary is in our soul the more the Holy Spirit will operate in it. It is a wonderful through to ponder. This gives increased meaning to the prayer I say often, "Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse."

Finally on page 20 ... At Pentecost the apostles in the upper room had recourse to the Virgins intercession, in order to obtain from the Spirit the capacity for engendering Christ in their own soul. Clearly the more one is devoted to Mary the more one receives the Holy Spirit and His charismatic gifts and virtues. I am starting to get threw my thick skull what a pipeline to holiness True Devotion to Mary is. Praise God!

Reading List #2

Saturday & Sunday, March 19 and 20 are catch-up, reflection, review days to give people time to catch up and to get books if still needed. - Our son will be getting married April 2nd so my posting will be sporatic and I trust that everyone will help keep this going.  I am posting a long reading list to cover the wedding dates.  I hope everyone checks in or posts at least once a week.
Come Holy Spirit! Come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immacualte Heart of Mary your well beloved Spouse.  Come and help us grow in true Marian devotion.

Monday, March 21  par. 37 - 39
Tuesday, March 22  par. 40 - 42
Wednesday, March 23   par. 43 - 45
Thursday, March 24    par. 46 - 48
Friday, March 25    Application Question p. 43-44
Saturday, March 26    par 49 - 50
Sunday, March 27  par. 51 - 53
Monday, March 28   par. 54 - 56
Tuesday, March 29  par. 57 - 59
Wednesday, March 30  Application Question p. 54 -55
Thursday, March 31  par. 60 - 62
Friday, April 1    par. 63 - 64
Saturday, April 2  par. 65 - 67
Sunday, April 3   Application Questions p. 61
Monday, April 4  par. 68 - 69
Tuesday, April 5   par. 70 - 72
Wednesday, April 6  par. 73 - 75
Thursday, April 7  par. 76 - 77
Friday, April 8  Application Questions p. 69

Ruth: Applications Questions p. 21

4.  Why the Spirit choose to use Mary as his vehicle for entrance into humanity we will never know except to know that love prevailed. I think that the older I get the more I appreciate Mary's role as the new mother to mankind. My earthly mother at this point needs mothering and I often find myself turning to Mary in my need for comfort and guidance. What a blessing that Mary was choosen and gifted to us and I am so glad I have come to know and trust Mary as a gift from God rather than as a hinderance or block or as somone who takes away honor due only to God.  I have grown in my trust for Mary especially over the last 5 years as I have been under the spiritual leadership of a very holy pastor.

7.  Our pastor, prior to praying the third Glorious Mystery and at many other times prays the following prayer that I have now added to my own prayer life ....
"Come Holy Spirit, Come my means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse."
This question is a good reminder to pray this prayer more

Ruth: Reflection on par. 20 ...

Did you notice the beautiful prayer by St. Ildephonsus at the end of par. 20?
'I beg you, holy Virgin, that I may have Jesus from the Holy Spirit, by whom you brought Jesus forth.
May my soul receive Jesus through the Holy Spirit by whom your flesh conceived Jesus...
May I love Jesus in the Holy Spirit in whom you adore Jesus as Lord and gaze upon Him as your son.'

In the author's notes on this paragraph he brings out that the more one is devoted to Mary the more one receives the Holy Spirit and His gifts and can grow in virtue. I love to see the unity of faith.  A long time ago when I was in a prayer group the Holy Spirit was the focus but Mary was left out and almost rejected. Those situations leaf spiritual scars that are slowly being healed through these awesome readings and a wonderful pastor who has True Devotion to Mary. I liked the statement that True Devotion shows "the Spirit and the Bride are operating together."

Carol--HELP! I need prayers

Everyone please say a prayer that my books arrive soon. I just got off the phone with the lady at Women of Grace. She never told me that they were waiting for a shipment of them. I have asked her to ship them overnight COD when she gets them. Looks like I'll be starting after Easter at this rate.

Ruth: Reflection on par. 17-

par. 17:  We all think about Mary as the mother of Jesus but not enought about Mary as our mother and a mother of the Church.
One of the reasons I am reading and blogging on "Echo of God" that because I want to stay focused on one spirituality. I usually jump around reading this book and that book  and get something out of each but I don't feel as through I am growing deeper in my spiritual journey.  With focusing on Marian spirituality with True Devotion books I hope to plunge deeper into the hearts of Jesus and Mary. God choose Mary as the mother of Jesus. I choose Mary to walk me deeper into the heart of Jesus, as my mother and and spiritual guide.
par. 18:  I focused here on the idea of Jesus pleasing God by being submissive to Mary for so many years.  Should we not do the same?
- My daughter-in-law is pregnant and calls the baby, Shiela, her wombmate. Mary's wombmate, for nine months, was Jesus. Can you imagine that? ...  Jesus is hidden yet still performs a miracle from within the womb. He is hidden still.  Are we hidden when Jesus works in and through us? How do we respond to compliments when we are just as happy to remain hidden. (We touched on this in an earlier post)
I never through of the womb as where Jesus first layed down His life in obedience to the Father's will. Will our hiddenness in Mary truely glorify the Father? On one level, I was looking at True Devotion from what I can get out of it but I love changing my thought to doing it to glorify God.
par. 19:  Did the couple know that they were out of wine and mary came to their rescue?  I like thinking that they did not. How many times has and will Mary silently come to our rescue?
======
Blogging really helps me slow down my reading and think it through more.  I hope you are also finding that it is helping you in some way.
May Mary guide us all to her "hidden" treasure.

Ruth: Reflections on par. 14-16

A phrase that I meditated on while reading this section was:  I want to see Jesus through Mary's eyes and see Mary through Jesus' eyes. It was powerful to ponder their relationship.

The beginning of par. 14 emphasizes that Mary being a mere creature is nothing at all compared to Jesus and God really had no need for her. That reminded me of Ash Wednesday which we just celebrated and where we heard: You are dust and to dust you shall return. Just as God willed Mary to "be" so he wills us to be who we are created to be.  My reflection here stayed on our nothingness, our smallness but in a way that let me feel God's greatness and great love.

Kim - Introduction

Hello everyone! I'm Kim Smith, the one who had surgery on Ash Wednesday. Thanks for your prayers. The surgery went well, and I'm now recuperating at home for the next 1-2 weeks, so I'd appreciate your continued prayer support.

I'm from Cedar Rapids, IA, and I was part of the last blog on the True Consecration to Jesus through Mary. I loved it, and I'm looking forward to contributing to the Echo of God blog. I have my book, and I'm going to start reading and contributing tomorrow. I'll try to catch up, but like Janette, I may post on earlier assignments for a few days, if that's okay.

By the way, you can discover a treasure of Marian articles at this web site:

http://www.tfp.org/tfp-home/about-our-lady/

I hope they help to deepen your faith and trust in Our Lady.

Janette: late entry in re: par 7 and one ditto

If it is not allowable to comment on a past reading assignment, please correct me - so I won't do this in the future!  I am trying to savor the readings and am just catching up today to where we should be reading-wise on the roster. 
COMMENT in re: par 7 - I was struck in regard to the 4 aspects of Mary's virtues - that the dsecriptions attached to them 'effect all', so to speak - HEIGHT of her merits, BREADTH of her charity, LENGTH of her power, DEPTH (abyss) of her humility.  Her influence is EVERYWHERE - height, breadth, length and depth.  I lingered with that thought for quite some time - and found an authentic place of peace and comfort in its truth.
DITTO:  to Tom's reflection regarding St Michael the archangel and his connection to Mary - and the encouragement to 'earnestly seek' his intercession and protection as we grow in our love for Mary - and in our fidelity to the practice of true devotion.  I arrived at another place of peace and fortification with this thought.

Tom: Application Question p. 15 and general comment

The question that I felt compelled to address is #9. "How can I show more respect, honor, and service to our lady?"

The past 2 years I have regularly been attending a weekly Catholic men's group called "That Man is You" (www.thatmanisyou.org). It is the best Catholic men program that I have ever been involved with and I truly wish it were in every Catholic parish. It really challenges men to step up to the plate and be the Christian men and father figures we are meant to be, and it gives all the examples and great instruction on how to carry that out. Steve Bollman the program developer does an unbelievable job in these weekly presentations. Last Lent, one of the challenges he gave us in an effort to try to pray unceasingly, was to say/pray to ourselves an ejaculatory prayer and the one he suggested was Acts 17:28. "In Him we live and move and have our being". He urged us to do this at regular intervals, such as when raising from sitting or going in or out of a room or in my case before seeing a patient. I can't say that I do this consistently but I can say that I'm working on it consistently. In beginning to understand and appreciate the preeminent role that Mary has in our path to Jesus I added to Acts 17:28, "through Mary" to honor the reality of her perfect intercession for us. "In Him we live and move and have our being through Mary."

Comment: Another point that was made in the commentary is that St. Louis draws 3 conclusions. (1) Mary deserves more of our attention. (2) Her full dignity remains a secret to us. (3) Her holiness can only be revealed by grace. In the first conclusion I really liked the idea of making Marian feast days special times of examination of conscientious and renewal of our consecration to Mary. Also I wasn't aware of St. Michael's important intercessory role as an ally of all those who make the true devotion to Mary. Now when saying the St. Micheal's prayer, which is said after all Masses in our parish of St. Mary's, this will have increased meaning to me. Praise God!

Corrine, Saturday Parag 14 &16

Saturday, Paragraphs 14-16
#14 God is not dependent on any creature to carry out His will but God chose Mary out of His love for her, so as to bring about His plan of salvation through Jesus. God is so full of love…He just has to share it. He even didn’t need us….but out of love He made us.
#16 Necessity is not absolute…but hypothetical………Mary’s necessity to God in the Incarnation of the Word: St. Augustine said the world was unworthy to receive the Son of God directly from the Father. The Father gave Jesus to Mary so the world might receive Him through her. And this only happened because of her “yes”….Mary who was so full of grace. And now the Father has been allowing Mary to appear to people in our world….she is trying to get us on the right track because she loves us so much. This following is from a reflection I received online….
Our Lady, so full of the Holy Spirit, is moved constantly to bless us. She sees every need, every loneliness, every sorrow and every joy. From her Heart flow countless blessings for us! We can become hearts that flow with living water as well! Through prayer and the practice of love, we can be part of the river of blessings that God wants to send out upon the earth. We only need to be open, silent and prayerful. God will do the rest! Our Lady of Medjugorje has come to bless the world. Thank you, dear Mother, for blessing us! We say 'yes' to your blessing! May we bless in turn all those God sends our way each day.

So…as a part of our internal silence….we can bless people instead of judging them or whatever else we may be thinking.

Peace be with you all!

Corrine....RE: posting

I most likely won't be able to post for almost a week. So, enjoy blogging and sharing your thoughts! When I read someone's blog it makes me realize...oh someone has trouble with that too....or..I never thought of it in that way...great new insight! I'll be anxious to either catch up or see if I can gain access to the blog the next few days. God bless you all on your spiritual journey.

Ruth - Application Questions p. 15

Question #3:  Like Corrine mentioned in her post, I find the need to pray the Litany of Humility by Cardinal Merry del Val. It is one that helps me focus on Jesus, the humility of Mary and is a good examination before Confession.

Question #4:  How do I practice silence both internally and externally?
     Noise is always in and around each of us.  The radio, TV, and inside our minds all contribute to lack of focus on the things of God.  I find for myself that I am called to externally limit the noise. I like to have the news on while doing housework. I like talk radio in the car.  .... but all are fleeting.  The internal noise is also distracting. As Corrine mentioned, in the last book, it talked about replacing interior noise with more interior God talk. Both are difficult. My interior mind jabber is as distracting as the exterior noise but I find that if I try to repeat over and over short prayers or scripture quotes I have something to keep coming back to.  I can't solve my problems with my interior jabber but I can turn them over with interior prayer.  I can praise with interior prayer rather than noise and praise is something we so often neglect.

Question #6: In the world but not of it ..... Anyone who is totally committed to live their faith is on their way to being in but not of the world. But even thought my priorities are to live my faith I still struggle with things like "simple living", reacting in love rather than resentment, alligning my mind with the mind of the Church rather than the world. It is harder than it sounds but part of living our faith.  Even turning to Mary is counter cultural and part of living in but not of the world.

Question #7:  St. Micahel ... Our pastor has us all saying, with him, the St. Michael prayer after the closing prayer at Mass. I need to think of Mary more when I pray that prayer daily.

Question #8:  Our parish is St. Mary's so my own parish is dedicated to Mary.  I love to visit Our Lady of Guadualope Shrine in LaCrosse, WI which is only 3 hours from here. When in New York I love to visit St. Anne's (Mary's mom's) Shrine in Vertmont.  I had looked into becoming a lay carmelite but that did not work out.  I find that over the last few years Mary is surrounding me with reminders of her presence.

Ruth: Reflections on p. 5 and following

p. 5  "St. Louis further reveals that admission to this sanctuary - the Immaculate Heart of Mary - is God's gift to those who practice true devotion." The phrase, Admission to this sanctuary" really struck a cord. I have had a few high stress days from some internal turmoil and the idea of a sanctuary really resonated with me. I find a great source of comfort in placing myself in the sanctuary of the hearts of Jesus & Mary.  Now to remember this gift of place.

In p. 6 it talks about Mary admitting to the wonders that God has worked in her.  Do you have a hard time when someone give a compliment or makes a statement about how the Lord is working in or through you?  I do. I find it hard to respond when someone makes a statement of any kind about the wonderous deeds the Lord is doing or has done in or through me. Mary however, in sincere humility, and far greater deeds with purity, grace, and honesty can respond in a way that echos down all generations to us.  "He that is mighty has done great things to me."  Shouldn't we be able to say the same?

p. 7 "the length of her power, which she exercises even over God Himself, is incomprehensible"  ... I through that this was a powerful phrase and reflected on it and other scriptural references showing our power over God. Prayers have changed things. Oh my! What awesome virtues are models for us: merits, charity, power and humility.

Lord, I truly desire and hope that through Mary's model and intercession I (we) can grow in merit, charity, power and humility.

Holy Mother

Eric Clapton and Luchianno Pavarotti sing Holy Mother

http://ministryvalues.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=719&Itemid=122

Song is not well known but worth hearing and by an unusal composer for a Marian song.
Clapton wrote this song in response to the suicide of his friend Richard Manuel, pianist and singer for The Band.  

Several years later, after the tragic death of his young son, Clapton wrote the big hit "Tears in Heaven." 

I know that this is a bit different and not related to the book but seeing how it is unusual and relating to Holy Mother I thought I would share.  Enjoy!

Application questions pg 15

Corrine...
My first reaction to the questions was...I'll too shallow to even attempt these. But here goes....
1. My relationship with Jesus if VERY important to me. Without Him I just couldn't exist!
3. How do I pray to be humble and hidden from the world? Mary begged (she begged!) to be hidden, to be humbled, to be poor and of no account. As some of you have commented...how difficult to do in my prideful state! One way to be more conscious of this is to pray the humility prayer....sincerely...even begging!?
4. Practice silence both internally and externally....???
If I understand the question.... Silence internally: In the previous Consecration book I read about....talk to God all those times instead of the empty self-talk that can fill non-engaged times, while driving, in check out line, in house alone, in Dr. waiting room, on a walk. ...silencing all that is around me and focusing on God. External silence...I'm not one who talks unnecessarily usually...I usually think about it long enough that the conversation has moved on to something else before I speak. Okay...external silence?? with my husband retired and around here all the time...I have to go to another part of the house to have external silence. I don't know if I get the external silence of this question. Help!
9. Show more respect, honor, love and service to Our Lady, Mary......say the core of the Consecration daily to help my focus, daily rosary, depend on Mary more, spiritual reading about Mary, consider Mary's experience during Jesus' Way of the Cross... say Mary ejaculations.
I certainly welcome anyone's comments!

Corrine, paragraphs 7-8, 10-12

Paragraphs 7-8
Mary's merits, charity, power and humility are immmeasurable---and in living true devotion we have access to them. The more we desire to possess them the more she grants them to us. Our Mother is waiting for our desire! St. Michael, the archangel, help us in that desire and protect us in our journey.
Paragraphs 10-12
St. Louis says...Mary deserves more attention, more praise...we need the zeal of the saints! How do I fulfill this in my life? ...really live out the devotion.
Mary's full dignity is veiled from us and only the Holy Spirit can reveal the extent of her holiness to us. Holy Spirit, help me use all these "tools" of the Catholic Church to put a fire under my "zeal". I must join the saints in.......Holy, holy, holy Mary Mother of God and Virgin!

Janette - newbie

Greetings, companions!  I write from still-snowy St Paul, Minnesota.  My book arrived this afternoon - and the Dedication page has hooked me - "We have not yet praised, exalted, honored, loved and served Mary as we ought." - St Louis de Montfort. I am most definitely in this category! When Ruth asked me to consider joining this group - my heart leapt! Two years ago in December my Grad school class from Ave Maria Univ journeyed together for a Consecration to Jesus through Mary.  I had done this about 10 years prior but somehow missed the concept of renewal each year.  That time together with classmates, including my husband, Jeff, was incredibly transforming!  I look most forward to continuing to incline my heart deeper and wider and softer to Jesus through Mary - and listening closely to the movements of other dear hearts so too inclined.

Carmela

My names is Carmela and I live in Putnam County, New York - 50 miles north of NYC. I made the Consecration 10 years ago with a group in my parish but to be quite honest, I didn't really understand the depth of it then and I've tried to renew my commitment several times over the years - not too successfully. So I am really excited to be able to do this with all of you. I have never blogged before and am not all that savvy at it! I do have the book but just started last night. In reading paragraph 2 regarding Mary's beautiful desire to be "hidden and unknown", I felt such awe at her humility, and at the same time, sadness for myself in knowing how difficult that is for me. To really be okay with being forgotten, hidden, unknown - I pray for the grace to have a heart like that someday!

Prayer Request

Kim, one of our bloggers is having surgery this morning.  Please keep Kim and all our blog contributors in your prayers.

Ruth: Ash Wednesday readings

I started reading the assigned readings this early morning at Adoration. Right off I read in the second line that devotion to Mary leads directly and quickly into knowledge of Jesus and this into zeal for evangelization. I know the truth of those words in my own heart and life.  Everything that I do in my spiritual life I yearn to share with others so that they can grow in deeper and deeper love of Jesus.
I liked the image of Mary's continued maternity, giving birth to Jesus in our lives.
Reading of Mary's perfect humility is making me really examine a constant "thorn in my side." I see that I am not responding in humility but in frustration and judgement. Maybe this study and a good Confession will help me handle this with Marian humility. Like Mary and St. Paul, I would like to be able to say, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." I have a long way to go but in Christ, with Mary as my model, all things are possible.
That was my reflection from last night.  Now I have to finish the rest of the reading, meditation and reflection sometime today.

I love Lent and am so glad that you will all be part of this year's Lenten journey.

With and through Mary to our Jesus may our Lenten experience be fruitful.
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If anyone is still trying to figure out their Lenten commitments I can tell you about the Divine Mercy Challenge & Pledge that our pastor issued.  Just let me know if you are interested in hearing about it.

Contributors

Here are the people who have signed up as contributors:
JoAnn
Kathy
djRouse
Lisa S
Carmela
Leafed Out
V.C. Yaklin
Kim
Corrine
Tom / Ruth
Mary Jo
Carol
Janette
I have been so busy that I did not post on the Introduction but starting tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, I hope that all of us who have our books will be able to dive into this new adventure.


Here is a nice Marian Morning Offering that Tom asked me to post:


Dear Mother, 
I consecrate myself and this day to you, 
in the mystery of Your Immaculate Conception, totus tuus.
Ease the doubts, the fears and the distractions of my mind.
Give me to drink of your desire; 
and let your fiat be resplendent in my life.
Amen