Category: MARIAN Saturdays

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYER WARRIORS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the FAMILY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, To JESUS through MARY

Quote of the Day – 26 October – A Saint’s Prayer Corner – St John Henry Newman

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Quote of the Day – 26 October – Saturday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Marian Saturdays

As we draw to the end of the Month of the Holy Rosary, let us listen to our newest Saint on the Rosary.and the special virtue of the rosary lies - st john henry newman 26 october 2019.jpg

A Saint’s Prayer Corner

“Now the great power of the Rosary lies in this, that it makes the Creed into a prayer – of course, the Creed is, in some sense, a prayer and a great act of homage to God but the Rosary gives us, the great truths of His life and death, to meditate upon and brings them nearer to our hearts.

And so we contemplate all the great mysteries of His life and His birth in the manger and so too the mysteries of His suffering and His glorified life.   But even Christians, with all their knowledge of God, have usually more awe than love of Him and the special virtue of the Rosary lies in the special way in which it looks at these mysteries, for with all our thoughts of Him are mingled thoughts of His Mother and in the relations between Mother and Son, we have set before us the Holy Family, the home in which God lived.

Now the family is, even humanly considered, a sacred thing, how much more the family bound together by supernatural ties and, above all, that in which God dwelt with His Blessed Mother.”

Below is part of Newman’s cell in the Birmingham Oratory.   One sees clearly the Rosary beads hanging on the wall, in a prayer corner with devotional images and items.

May he pray for us!st john henry's rosary and prayer corner - office deovotional images.JPG

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Hail MARY!, HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 26 October – Ave Maria, Amen

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Our Morning Offering – 26 October – Saturday of the Twenty-ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

Ave Maria, Amen
Traditional Catholic Hymn/Poem
Unknown Author

A song ascends from vale to heights,
from town to town a hundred times,
Ave Maria, Amen.

In every place the earth around,
at every bells resound,
Ave Maria, Amen.

All creatures, be they low or high,
send joyous songs up to the sky,
Ave Maria, Amen.

Stars near each other in their rays
and greet each other on their ways,
Ave Maria, Amen.

The angels at the throne of God
with harps and flutes the Highest land,
Ave Maria, Amen.

And all the blest in paradise
to joyous, happy praise give rise,
Ave Maria, Amen.

Thus praises sound through space and time
in everlasting, glorious rhyme,
Ave Maria, Amenave maria amen - trad catholic hymn poem - 26 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC TIME, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 19 October – An October Prayer

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Our Morning Offering – 19 October – Saturday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday in October!

An October Prayer

Mother, at thy feet is kneeling
One who loves thee–it’s thy child
Who has sighed so oft’ to see thee,
Bless me, Mother, Mother mild.
And when storms are raging round me,
And when tempests hover near,
In thy own sweet arms enfold me,
Shield me, Mother, Mother dear.
Mother, when my Saviour calls me
From this world of sin and strife,
Clasp me upon thy spotless bosom,
Let me bid farewell to life.
Plead for me when Jesus judges,
Answer for me when He asks
How I’ve spent so many moments,
How performed so many tasks.
Tell Him I was weak and feeble,
Yes, that I so often strayed
From the thorny path of virtue
To the one with roses laid.
Yet, O Mother, tell my Jesus
That I loved Him fond and true
And, O Mother, dearest Mother,
Tell Him I belong to you.
Then He’ll place me (yes, I feel it)
Close to thee, O Mother dear,
Then I’ll praise and bless and thank thee
Thru eternity’s long years.
Amen

Catholic Telegraph Register, 4 October 1957an october prayer - 19 oct 2019 .jpg

 

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 12 October – O Mother of Jesus and my Mother

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Our Morning Offering – 12 October – Saturday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C – a Marian Saturday

O Mother of Jesus and my Mother
By Bl John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O Mother of Jesus and my Mother,
let me dwell with you, cling to you
and love you with ever-increasing love.
I promise the honour,
love and trust of a child.
Give me a mother’s protection,
for I need your watchful care.
You know better than any other
the thoughts and desires of the Sacred Heart.
Keep constantly before my mind
the same thoughts,
the same desires,
that my heart may be filled with zeal
for the interests of the Sacred Heart
of your Divine Son.
Instil in me a love of all that is noble,
that I may no longer be easily turned to selfishness.
Help me, dearest Mother,
to acquire the virtues that God wants of me,
to forget myself always,
to work solely for Him,
without fear of sacrifice.
I shall always rely on your help
to be what Jesus wants me to be.
I am His; I am yours, my good Mother!
Give me each day your holy and maternal blessing
until my last evening on earth,
when your Immaculate Heart
will present me to the heart of Jesus in heaven,
there to love and bless you
and your divine Son for all eternity.
Ameno mother of jesus ad my mother - 12 oct 2019 john henry newman .jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 5 October – O Mary, My Mother

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Our Morning Offering – 5 October – Saturday of the Twenty Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, the Memorial of St Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) and a Marian Saturday

O Mary, My Mother
By St Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938)

O Mary, my Mother
and my Lady,
I offer You my soul, my body,
my life and my death
and all that will follow it.
I place everything in Your hands.
O my Mother,
cover my soul with Your virginal mantle
and grant me the grace
of purity of heart, soul and body.
Defend me with Your power against all enemies
and especially against those
who hide their malice
behind the mask of virtue.
O lovely lily!
You are for me a mirror,
O my Mother!
Amen

(Diary 79)o mary my mother - st faustina - 16 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in franciscan OFM, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 4 October – St Francis’ Morning Prayer

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Our Morning Offering – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (1181–1226)

Morning Prayer
of St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

Lord, help me to live this day,
quietly, easily;
to lean on Your great strength,
trustfully, restfully;
to wait for the unfolding of Your will,
patiently, serenely;
to meet others,
peacefully, joyfully;
to face tomorrow,
confidently, courageously.
Amenmorning-prayer-of-st-francis.5 july 2018.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 28 September – What Can I Say, Merciful Lady?

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Our Morning Offering – 28 September – Saturday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – A Marian Saturday and nearly the end of the Month of The Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin

What Can I Say, Merciful Lady?
St Anselm (1033-1109)
Doctor of the Church

My most merciful Lady,
what can I say about the fountains
that flowed from your most pure eyes
when you saw your only Son before you,
bound, beaten and hurt?
What do I know of the flood
that drenched your matchless face,
when you beheld your Son, your Lord
and your God,
stretched on the cross without guilt,
when the flesh of your flesh
was cruelly butchered by wicked me?
How can I judge what sobs
troubled your most pure breast
when you heard,
“Woman, behold your son,”
and the disciple,
“Behold, your Mother,”
when you received as a son
the disciple in place of the Master,
the servant for the Lord?
Amenwhat can i say merciful lady - st anselm - to the sorrowful mother at the foot of the cross 28 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 21 September – O Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 21 September – Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist and Mary was there – The Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

O Mary
By St John Paul II (1920-2005)

O Mary, sorrowful Mother,
you are a silent witness
of these decisive moments
for the history of salvation.
Give us your eyes
so that on the face
of the crucified One,
disfigured by pain,
we may recognise
the image of
the glorious Risen One.
Help us to embrace Him
and entrust ourselves to Him,
so that we be made worthy
of His promises.
Help us to be faithful today
and throughout our lives.
Amen!o mary by st john paul - 3 may 2019 no 2

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 14 September – O Mary, Sorrowful Mother

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Our Morning Offering – 14 September – Feast The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – Feast and A Marian Saturday within the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

O Mary, Sorrowful Mother
By St John Paul II (1920-2005)

O Mary, sorrowful Mother,
you are a silent witness
of these decisive moments
for the history of salvation.
Give us your eyes
so that on the face of the crucified One,
disfigured by pain,
we may recognise
the image of the glorious Risen One.
Help us to embrace Him
and entrust ourselves to Him,
so that we be made worthy
of His promises.
Help us to be faithful today
and throughout our lives.
Amen!o mary sorrowful mothr st john paul - 14 sept exaltation of the cross.jpg

St Pope John Paul prayed this prayer on the Conclusion of the Palm Sunday homily, 13 April 2003 during the Eighteenth World Youth Day.

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MINI SERIES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 7 September – Saturday Devotions in Honour of Our Lady, Part Two

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Thought for the Day – 7 September – – Saturday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

The Heart of Mary Saturdays and the Saturday Rosary

By Sr M Jean Frisk SSM

In the message of Fatima, especially in the apparitions of 13 June 13 and 13 July 1917, Mary drew attention to the custom of devoting Saturdays to her and praying the Rosary in reparation.   Lucia, the eldest of the three children heard the following on 13 June:

“My child, behold my heart surrounded with thorns which ungrateful men place therein at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude.   You, at least, try to console me, and tell them that I promise to help, at the hour of death, with the graces needed for salvation, whoever, on the First Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess and receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary with the intention of making reparation to me.”

On 13 July, the children were again admonished to say the Rosary.   At this time, the Blessed Mother asked for the consecration of the world to her Immaculate Heart and for communion of reparation on the first Saturday of each month.   These messages were accompanied by an appeal and a promise – an appeal for prayer and reparation by the people for their transgressions against the divine law, a promise of peace and love in this life and eternal happiness in the next, on the twofold condition of prayer and amendment.

In 1925, Lucia vouched for this message, saying that Mary would assist us at the hour of death if the first Saturdays of five consecutive months were sanctified with confession, communion, praying the rosary and meditation.

This practice refreshed the custom known as the Rosary Saturdays, popular since the seventeenth century and continued to the present at places of pilgrimage.   Both Pope Pius IX and Pope Leo XIII fostered this custom.   St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716), also fostered the rosary in connection with his missions, which often encompassed Saturdays.

Part One here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/03/thought-for-the-day-3-august-saturday-devotions-in-honour-of-our-lady/saturday devotions in honour of our lady part two rosary saturdays 7 september 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The IMITATION of MARY, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 7 September – Most Merciful Mother of God – Thomas à Kempis

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Our Morning Offering – 7 September – Saturday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

Most Merciful Mother of God
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

From the Imitation of Mary

Most merciful Mother of God,
Mary ever-Virgin,
Queen of heaven,
Mistress of the world,
Joy of the Saints
and Comfort of sinners,
hear the groans of contrite hearts.
Grant the desires of the devout,
help the sick in their needs,
strengthen the hearts of the afflicted,
be present to those in their final agony.
Protect your suppliant servants
from the assaults of demons,
bring with you
all who love you
into the reward of eternal blessedness,
where, with your beloved Son,
Jesus Christ,
you reign happily forever.
Amen.most merciful mothr of god by thomas a kempis - 7 sept 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 31 August – O Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 31 August – Saturday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the last day of the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Immaculate Heart of Mary
Heart of Love and Mercy

O Most Blessed Mother,
heart of love,
heart of mercy,
ever listening, caring, consoling,
hear our prayer.
As your children,
we implore your intercession
with Jesus your Son.
Receive with understanding
and compassion
the petitions we place before you today,
especially those so deep in our heart.
We are comforted in knowing
your heart is ever open
to those who ask for your prayer.
We trust to your gentle care and intercession,
those whom we love
and those who are sick or lonely or hurting.
Help all of us, Holy Mother,
to bear our burdens in this life
until we may share eternal life
and peace with God forever.
Ameno immaculate heart of mary heart of love and mercy 31 august 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 28 August – Go on, O Lord and Act

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Our Morning Offering – 28 August – Wednesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C and The Memorial of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) – Doctor of Grace and one of the original Four Fathers & Doctors of the Latin Church

Go on, O Lord and Act
By St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace

Go on, O Lord and act,
stir us up and call us back,
inflame us and draw us to Thee,
stir us up and grow sweet to us,
let us now love Thee,
let us run to Thee.
Are there not many men …
who, out of a deeper pit of darkness..
return to Thee–who draw near to Thee
and are illuminated by that light
which gives those
who receive it power from Thee
to become Thy sons?
Amengo on Lord and act - stir us up and call us back - st augustine - mem of simpliacinus 18 jan 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 24 August – O Mother of Jesus and My Mother

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Our Morning Offering – 24 August – Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle and a Marian Saturday

O Mother of Jesus and My Mother
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O Mother of Jesus and my Mother,
let me dwell with you, cling to you
and love you with ever-increasing love.
I promise the honour, love and trust of a child.
Give me a mother’s protection,
for I need your watchful care.
You know better than any other,
the thoughts and desires of the Sacred Heart.
Keep constantly before my mind
the same thoughts, the same desires,
that my heart may be filled with zeal
for the interests of the Sacred Heart of your Divine Son.
Instil in me a love of all that is noble,
that I may no longer be easily turned to selfishness.
Help me, dearest Mother,
to acquire the virtues that God wants of me,
to forget myself always,
to work solely for Him, without fear of sacrifice.
I shall always rely on your help
to be what Jesus wants me to be.
I am His, I am yours, my good Mother!
Give me each day your holy and maternal blessing
until my last evening on earth,
when your Immaculate Heart
will present me to the heart of Jesus in heaven,
there to love and bless you
and your divine Son for all eternity.
Ameno mother of jesus and my mother - bl john henry newman 24 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, THE ASSUMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 17 August – The Praises of Mary “Assumption” Poem by Saint Anthony

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Our Morning Offering – 17 August – Saturday of the Nineteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

The Praises of Mary
“Assumption”
Poem by Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Doctor of the Church

O how wondrous is the dignity of the glorious Virgin!
She merited to become the mother of Him
who is the strength and beauty of the angels
and the grandeur of all the saints.

Mary was the seat of our sanctification,
that is to say,
the dwelling place of the Son
who sacrificed Himself for us.

“And I shall glorify the place where my feet have stood.”
The feet of the Saviour signify His human nature.
The place where the feet of the Saviour stood
was the Blessed Mary,
who gave Him His human nature.

Today the Lord glorifies that place,
since He has exalted Mary
above the choirs of the angels.
That is to say,
the Blessed Virgin,
who was the dwelling of the Saviour,
has been assumed bodily into heaven.the praises of mary assumption by st anthony of padua 17 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 10 August – O Mary, my Queen

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Our Morning Offering – 10 August – Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr and a Marian Saturday

O Mary, my Queen
By St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716)

O Mary, my Queen,
I cast myself into the arms of your mercy.
I place my soul and body
in your blessed care
and under your special protection
from this world.
I entrust to you
all my hopes and consolations,
all my anguish and misery,
my life and the end of my life.
Through your most holy intercession
and through your merits,
grant that all my works
may be directed and carried out
in accord with your will
and the will of your divine Son.
Ameno mary my queen - st louis de montfort - 10 aug 2019 marian sats.jpg

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, SPEAKING of ....., The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 3 August – Saturday Devotions in Honour of Our Lady

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Thought for the Day – 3 August – Saturday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Marian Saturdays

Speaking of:  Our Lady

Saturday Devotions in Honour of Our Lady
Part One
By Sr M Jean Frisk SSM

Historical Background of the Saturdays in Honour of Mary

To dedicate Saturday in honour of Mary is an ancient custom.   It is based on a legendary account that Jesus appeared to Mary on the Saturday, the day after His death.   He did so to reward her for her steadfast faith in His divinity, which did not waver under the Cross.   Another strain of devotional thought explains that Divine Wisdom, becoming flesh of the Virgin Mary, rested (Saturday=Sabbath=day of rest) in Mary as on a bed.part one sat devotiosns in honour of our lady part one 3 aug 2019.jpg

One of the oldest customs traced to honouring Mary on Saturday in the Church of Rome, took place on the Saturday before “Whitsunday” [White Sunday].   The newly-baptised members of the Church were led from St John’s baptistry of the Lateran to Mary’s great shrine on the Esquilin, St Mary Major [built under Pope Liberius 352-66].   St John of Damascus’ († 754) writings testify to the celebration of Saturdays dedicated to Mary in the Church of the East.   The liturgical books of the ninth and tenth centuries contain Masses in honour of Mary on Saturday.

The Dictionary of Mary states:dict of mary.jpg

Hence, Saturday acquired its great Marian tone and the existing fast on that day became associated with Mary.   Today, the strongest trace of Mary’s relationship with Saturday occurs in the Liturgy.   Saturday is dedicated to Mary by a Mass or Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.   Through these liturgical acts, Christians exalt the person of Mary in the action that renews the sacrifice of Christ and in the action that prolongs His prayer.

This liturgical attribution of Saturday to Mary was largely the work of Alcuin (735-804), the Benedictine monk who was “Minister of Education” at the court of Charlemagne and who contributed in a decisive manner to the Carolingian liturgical reform.   Alcuin composed six formularies for Votive (that is, devotional) Masses – one for each day of the week.   And he assigned two formularies to Saturday in honour of Our Lady.   The practice was quickly and joyously embraced by both clergy and laity.   St Cardinal Peter Damian († 1072) fostered the Marian Saturday celebration as well.

The custom was specially furthered during the time of the crusades.   Peter of Amiens preached the first crusade and started out with a vanguard for Constantinople on a Saturday, March 8, 1096.   Pope Urban II admonished the faithful to pray the hours of the liturgy in honour of the most holy Virgin for the crusaders.   At the Synod of Clermont the year before, he had prescribed priests to do so.

The custom of dedicating Saturday Masses to Mary was fostered specially in the cloister churches of the various orders and quickly spread throughout the whole Church.   In addition to the liturgical celebrations on Saturdays, other customs kept step – especially works of neighbourly love.   For example, King Louis of France († on the last crusade) fed over one hundred of the poor at his palace.   He ate with them and sent them away richly-laden with gifts.

The great theologians of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Sts Bernard, Thomas and Bonaventure explained the dedication of Saturdays to Mary by pointing to the time of Christ’s rest in the grave.   Everyone else had abandoned Christ, only Mary continued to believe.   This was her day!

A Dominican missal of the fifteenth century listed additional reasons in a hymn: -Saturday is the day when creation was completed.   Therefore it is also celebrated as the day of the fulfilment of the plan of salvation, which found its realisation through Mary. Sunday is the Lord’s Day, so it seemed appropriate to name the day preceding as Mary’s day.

In the centuries to follow, the Marian Saturdays were expressed in several devotions. This was the day the faithful selected to go on pilgrimages.   Sodalities held their meetings on Saturdays and called them Fraternity Saturdays or Sodality Saturdays.   The seven dolors or sorrows of Mary were commemorated on seven consecutive Saturdays. The fifteen Saturdays before the liturgy in honour of Mary as Queen of the Rosary [October 7] recalled the fifteen decades of the rosary.   In some areas this was the day that the crops and harvests were blessed and celebrated.   A German manuscript from 1673 states:

‘The people of Hamingen have from ancient times vowed to hold a procession to this church every Saturday from the feast of St Gregory to the feast of St James [to ask] for protection for the fruits of the fields and against the storms and hail.   Their descendants failed to do so to their great misfortune because the hail did great damage.   After they renewed the practice, no one heard further of great damage.’

The growing devotion in honour of the Immaculate Conception by the Franciscans contributed to furthering the Marian Saturdays.   In 1633 the Order’s Chapter determined that a Holy Mass in honour of this mystery was to be celebrated.

Over time, it became customary for Catholics everywhere to consider Saturday as Mary’s day just as Sunday is the Lord’s Day.   Many of the faithful commemorated the day by attending Mass, receiving the Eucharist and praying the rosary as a family or attending an evening devotion at the Church, as well as performing works of neighbourly love in many forms.

Vatican II with its liturgical reforms did not abolish the practice of Masses in honour of Our Lady.   In fact, it increased them and additions were made to expand the number of the liturgies.   In 1986 A new sacramentary and lectionary were published with forty-six options for votive Masses in honour of Our Lady.

To be continued/…..

Mary, Faithful Mother, Pray for Us!mother mary pray for us 3 aug 2019 part one speakingofmary.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN Saturdays, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The SOCIAL TEACHING of the Church

Quote/s of the Day – 3 August – Marian Gems

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 August – Saturday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Marian Saturdays

Marian Gems

“Mary is so holy
that she is the perfect model
of all the virtues
to all mankind.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Churchmary is so holy that she is the perfect - 3 aug 2019

“Mary was placed by God
in the centre of history
and we can say,
that everything was made
through her
and with her
and in her.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Doctor of the Churchmary was placed by god in the centre of history - st bernard - 3 aug 2019

“Mary is the divine Page
on which God the Father
wrote the Word of God, His Son.
Let us draw near to her and read her!”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Churchmary is the divine page on which god the father - st albert the great 3 aug 2019

“The single richest treasure in the Vatican is the Rosary.”

Bl Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)the single richest treasure in the vatican is the rosary bl pope pius ix 3 aug 2019

“Her Heart is so loving
that in comparison to it,
the heart of any other mother
is a piece of ice.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)her heart is so loving - st john vianney 3 aug 2019

“It can be said, that the Rosary is a compendium of our holy religion.”

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)it can be said that the rosary is a compendium - st anthony mary claret 3 aug 2019

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 3 August – Mary Our Strength

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Our Morning Offering – 3 August – Saturday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

Mary Our Strength
By Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
(Pontiff 1939-1958)

O Virgin, fair as the moon,
delight of the angels and saints in heaven,
grant that we may become like you
and that our souls may receive a ray of your beauty,
which does not decline with the years
but shines forth into eternity.
O Mary, sun of heaven,
restore life where there is death
and enlighten spirits, where there is darkness.
Turn your countenance to your children
and radiate on us your light and your fervour.
O Mary, powerful as an army,
grant victory to our ranks.
We are very weak
and our enemy rages with uttermost conceit.
But under your banner
we are confident of overcoming him. ….
Save us, O Mary,
fair as the moon,
bright as the sun,
awe-inspiring as an army set in battle array
and sustained not by hatred
but by the ardour of love.
Amenmary our strength by pope pius XII - 3 august 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 27 July – Shelter Me Under Your Mantle

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Our Morning Offering – 27 July – Saturday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – a “Marian Saturday”

Shelter Me Under Your Mantle
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary,
to you who are the Mother of my Lord,
the Queen of the Universe, the Advocate,
the hope, the refuge of sinners,
I, who am the most miserable of all sinners,
have recourse this day.
I venerate you, great Queen
and I thank you for the many graces
you have bestowed upon me even unto this day,
in particular for having delivered me from the hell
which I have so often served by my sins.
I love you, my dearest Lady
and because of that love,
I promise to serve you willingly forever
and to do what I can,
to make you loved by others also.
I place in you all my hopes for salvation,
accept me as your servant
and shelter me under your mantle,
you who are the Mother of Mercy.
And since you are so powerful with God,
deliver me from all temptations,
or at least obtain for me the strength
to overcome them until death.
From you I implore a true love for Jesus Christ.
Through you I hope to die a holy death.
My dear Mother, by your love for Almighty God,
I pray you to assist me always
but most of all, at the last moment of my life.
Forsake me not then,
until you shall see me safe in heaven,
there to bless you
and sing of your mercies through all eternity.
Such is my hope.
Amenshelter me under your mantle - st alphonsus liguori - 27 july 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 20 July – Hail Mary, Queen of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 20 July – Saturday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

Hail Mary, Queen of Mercy
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

Hail Mary, Queen of Mercy,
olive-branch of forgiveness,
through whom we receive
the medicine that heals our sickness,
the balsam of pardon.
Virgin Mother of the divine off-spring,
through your Son,
your only Child who stooped
to become the brother of humankind,
you are the true Mother of us all.
For the sake of His love,
take me, unworthy as I am,
into your motherly care.
Sustain, preserve
and enlighten my conversion.
Be for me, for all eternity,
my cherished mother,
tenderly caring for me
throughout my earthly life
and enfolding me in your arms,
at the hour of my death.
Amenhail mary queen of mercy - 20 july 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 13 July – A Morning Salutation to Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 13 July – Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

A Morning Salutation to Mary
A Coptic Catholic Prayer

We greet you,
glorious Mother of the Light
O Blessed Mary,
from the rising of the sun
to its setting
praise is due to you,
O Mother of God.
You are the second heaven,
the bright unfading flower,
the ever-virgin mother.
For the Father chose you
and the Holy Spirit overshadowed you
and the Son humbled Himself
and took flesh from you.
Therefore, ask Him to give peace
to the world He has created
and to deliver it from every tribulation.
And we shall sing to Him a new song
and bless Him,
now and forever,
Amena morning salutation to mary - coptic prayer - 27 ocat 2018 sat prayer to mary.jpg

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, The ANNUNCIATION, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 6 July – Pope Francis on Mary’s “Yes”

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Thought for the Day – 6 July – Saturday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, – Marian Saturdays

Pope Francis on Mary’s “Yes”

Mary first conceived Jesus in faith and then in the flesh, when she said “yes” to the message God gave her through the angel.   What does this mean?   It means that God did not want to become man by bypassing our freedom, He wanted to pass through Mary’s free assent, through her “yes.”   He asked her:  “Are you prepared to do this?”   And she replied: “Yes.”

But what took place most singularly in the Virgin Mary also takes place within us, spiritually, when we receive the word of God with a good and sincere heart and put it into practice.   It is as if God takes flesh within us, He comes to dwell in us, for He dwells in all who love Him and keep His word.   It is not easy to understand this but really, it is easy to feel it in our heart….Pope Francis, 12 October 2013

HANDMAID OF THE LORD
The Gospel of Saint Luke presents us with Mary, a girl from Nazareth, a small town in Galilee, in the outskirts of the Roman Empire and on the outskirts of Israel as well.   A village.   Yet the Lord’s gaze rested on her, on this little girl from that distant village, on the one he had chosen to be the Mother of His Son.

In view of this motherhood, Mary was preserved from original sin, from that fracture in communion with God, with others and with creation, which deeply wounds every human being.   But this fracture was healed in advance in the Mother of the One who came to free us from the slavery of sin.   The Immaculata was written in God’s design, she is the fruit of God’s love that saves the world.

And Our Lady never distanced herself from that love, throughout her life her whole being is a “yes” to that love, it is the “yes” to God.   But that didn’t make life easy for her! When the angel calls her “full of grace” (Lk 1:28), she is “greatly troubled” for in her humility she feels she is nothing before God.

The angel consoles her:  “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (v. 30,31).   This announcement troubles her even more because she was not yet married to Joseph but the angel adds: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you…therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (v. 35). Mary listens, interiorly obeys, and responds: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (v.38)…. Pope Francis, 8 December 2013mary mother of jesus you who accepted - pope francis 6 july 2019.jpg

WE PRAY WITH POPE FRANCIS
Mary, Mother of Jesus,
you who accepted,
teach us how to accept,
you who adored,
teach us how to adore,
you who followed,
teach us how to follow.
Amen

Mary, Mother of the “Yes”, Pray for Us!mary mother of the yes pray for us 6 july 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN Saturdays, The ANNUNCIATION, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote of the Day – 6 July – God is still searching …

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Quote of the Day – 6 July – Saturday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, – Marian Saturdays

“Even today, God is still searching for hearts like Mary’s
that are open to welcoming His invitation
and providing hope, even when it’s hard.
God continues to walk our neighbourhoods and our streets,
He pushes in each place in search of hearts
capable of listening to His invitation
and making it become flesh here and now.
In the end, the Lord continues to seek hearts like that of Mary,
disposed to believe even in very extraordinary conditions.
Just like He did with Mary,
God also takes the initiative in our lives,
inserting Himself into our daily struggles, anxieties and desires.
It is precisely in the daily routine of our lives,
that we receive the most beautiful announcement we can hear –
“Rejoice, the Lord is with you!”

Pope Francis, 2017even today god is still searching for hearts like marys - pope francis - 6 july 2019

Holy Mary of the Annunciation of Emmanuel,
God with us,
Pray for us!marys-fiat-holy-mary-pray-for-us-14-may-2019-pope-francis-and-the-rosary-from-fr-enrico-no-1

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN Saturdays, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 July – ‘then they will fast …’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 July – Saturday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 9:14–17 – Marian Saturdays

And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?   The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast” ...Matthew 9:15

REFLECTION – “However, our mourning is right if we burn with desire to see Him.  How happy they were who were able to enjoy His presence before His Passion, to question Him as they wished and listen to Him as necessary… As for us, we see the fulfilment of what He said:  “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it” (Lk 17:22)…A little while and you will no longer see me and again a little while and you will see me” (Jn 16:19).   But now this is the hour of which He said:  “You will weep and mourn but the world will rejoice… But, He added, I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you” (v.22).  The hope thus given us by Him, who is faithful in His promises, never now leaves us, without a certain joy — until that overwhelming joy comes on the day when we will be like Him because we will see Him as he is (1Jn 3:2)… “When a woman is in labour, she has pain because her hour has come,” says the Lord, “but when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world”(Jn 16:21).   This is the joy no-one can take away from us and with which we will be satisfied when we pass to eternal light from our present conception in faith.   So let us fast and pray since we are still on the threshold of birth.“…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctormatthew 9 15 - the days will come - so let us fast and pray - sta augustine - 7 july 2018

PRAYER – Let our worship give You glory Lord, we ask You, in Your mercy, for the grace always to ponder in our hearts what we proclaim with our lips.   For our salvation, You looked upon the lowliness of Mary, Your handmaid, raise us up to share with her, the fullness of redemption.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of te Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.mary our hope handmaid of the lord - pray for us - 26 june 2018

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 5 July – Our Lady

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Our Morning Offering – 5 July – Saturday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Saturdays with Mary

Our Lady
St Germanus (378-448)
Bishop of Auxerre

Our Lady
Your name is Our Lady.
You alone are Mother of God
and raised high over all the earth.
O Spouse of God,
we celebrate you with faith,
we honour you with longing,
we venerate you with awe,
at every moment
we exalt you
and reverently proclaim
you Blessed.
Amenour lady - st germanus 6 july 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 18 May – O Blessed Lady, Mediatrix and Advocate

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Our Morning Offering – 18 May – ‘Mary’s Month” – Saturday Fourth Week of Easter, C

O Blessed Lady,
Mediatrix and Advocate
By St Bernard (1090-1153)

Our Mediatrix and Advocate
O blessed Lady,
you found grace,
brought forth the Life,
and became the Mother of Salvation.
May you obtain the grace for us to go to the Son.
By your mediation,
may we be received by the One
who through you, gave Himself to us.
May your integrity compensate with Him
for the fault of our corruption;
and may your humility,
which is pleasing to God,
implore pardon for our vanity.
May your great charity
cover the multitude of our sins;
and may your glorious fecundity
confer on us a fecundity of merits.
Dear Lady,
our Mediatrix and Advocate,
reconcile us to your Son,
recommend us to Him,
and present us to your Son.
By the grace you found,
by the privilege you merited,
by the mercy you brought forth,
obtain for us the following favour,
O blessed Lady.
Ameno blessed lady mediatrix and advocate - 18 may 2019 by st bernard.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 11 May – Most Holy Mary, Sure Refuge of Sinners

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Our Morning Offering – 11 May – ‘Mary’s Month’ and a Marian Saturday – Third Week Easter, C

Most Holy Mary
Sure Refuge of Sinners
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Most holy Mary,
Virgin of virgins,
shrine of the most Holy Trinity,
joy of the angels,
sure refuge of sinners,
take pity on our sorrows,
mercifully accept our sighs
and appease the wrath
of your most holy Son.
Amenmost holy virgin sure refuge of sinners - st john of the cross - 11 may 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Marian Thought for the Day – 4 May – “Here we have the image and model of the Church!”

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Marian Thought for the Day – 4 May – “Mary’s Month”

Pope Benedict XVI

Excerpt- Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord,
Saint Peter’s Square, Saturday, 25 March 2006

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.”…Luke 1:38luke-1-38-let-what-you-have-said-be-done-to-me-18dec2018-ourladyofexpectation.jpg

“The icon of the Annunciation, more than any other, helps us to see clearly how everything in the Church goes back to that mystery of Mary’s acceptance of the divine Word, by which, through the action of the Holy Spirit, the Covenant between God and humanity was perfectly sealed.  Everything in the Church, every institution and ministry, including that of Peter and his Successors, is “included” under the Virgin’s mantle, within the grace-filled horizon of her “yes” to God’s will. T  his link with Mary naturally evokes a strong affective resonance in all of us but first of all it has an objective value….

Everything in this world will pass away.   In eternity only Love will remain.   For this reason, … taking the opportunity offered by this favourable time …, let us commit ourselves to ensure that everything in our personal lives and in the ecclesial activity in which we are engaged is inspired by charity and leads to charity.   In this respect too, we are enlightened by the mystery that we are celebrating today.

Indeed, the first thing that Mary did after receiving the Angel’s message was to go “in haste” to the house of her cousin Elizabeth in order to be of service to her (cf. Lk 1: 39). The Virgin’s initiative was one of genuine charity, it was humble and courageous, motivated by faith in God’s Word and the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit.   Those who love, forget about themselves and place themselves at the service of their neighbour.

Here we have the image and model of the Church!”

everything-in-this-world-will-pass-away-pope-benedict-xvi-25-march-2019

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 4 May

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 4 May – Mary’s Month and a Marian Saturday – Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay you
with praise and thanks
for having rescued a fallen world
by your generous consent!
Receive our gratitude
and by your prayers
obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary,
help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for your people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate you
feel now, your help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray
and bring back to us, the answers to our prayers.
Make it your continual concern
to pray for the people of God,
for you were blessed by God
and were made worthy to bear
the Redeemer of the world,
who lives and reigns forever.
Amenblessed virgin mary, holy mary! by st augustine - 4 may 2019.jpg