Blessed Holy Mother

Monday, July 3, 2017

Consecrate America!

Act of Consecration for the United States

Most Holy Trinity -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit --

in union with the Blessed Virgin Mary, we adore Your

majesty and acknowledge Your supreme eternal

dominion and authority.

Most Holy Trinity, we place the United States of

America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order

that she may present the country to You. Through the

intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic

Church in America. Have mercy on our President

and on all the officers of our government. Protect

family life in our nation. Grant the precious gift of

many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, and

all who are in need.

Mary Immaculate Virgin, Our Mother, Patroness

of our land, we honor you and ask your maternal

protection and care for us. Obtain for us the graces

we need to live and die according to the Will of your

Divine Son.

Amen.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Washington, D.C.

A message from Dawn Pisturino:

The United States is under attack by the Liberal and Radical Left.

Pray that all enemies of the United States will be defeated.

Pray to bring America back to God!

On this Independence Day, 2017, please remember that we are not yet free from the forces of evil that are harming our children, our families, and our nation.

We are in a state of spiritual warfare. Pray to win!

Happy Fourth of July! Go in Peace and Love.

Dawn Pisturino

July 3, 2017

Monday, June 5, 2017

Michelangelo's Pieta depicts an idealized Virgin Mary cradling her beloved son, Jesus Christ, after the crucifixion. Instead of horror and pain, the Virgin's face reveals serenity, fulfillment, and obedience to the will of God.

Christ appears to be sleeping peacefully in his mother's arms. It is a poignant portrayal of the eternal love between mother and child, and God and His children -- perfectly mirroring the nativity scene in Bethlehem.

Pieta Prayer to the Virgin Mary

My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to Thee, and to show my devotion to Thee, I consecrate to Thee this day, my eyes, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore good Mother as I am Thine own, keep me, guard me, as Thy property and possession. Amen.

from Pieta Prayer Book

Dawn Pisturino

June 5, 2017

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Mary is My Mother

by Dawn Pisturino

During one of the darkest periods of my life, Mary walked with me and held my hand. She showered me with hope, draped me in her warm reassurance, and blessed me with knowledge of her powerful rosary.

You see, Mary is my mother. I know that I can count on her unconditional love and acceptance. I know that I can run to her for comfort in times of pain.

She is my guiding light, my solid rock, my consoling balm.

I love her.

Mary is my mother.

February 7, 2017

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Mary, Undoer of Knots

Painting by Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner

St. Irenaeus of Lyons wrote in his work, Adversus haereses, that "the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith."

In 1989, in Styria, Austria, the first chapel was dedicated to Mary, the Undoer of Knots, in response to the nuclear accident in Chernobyl, Russia.

Pope Francis has inspired increased devotion, especially in Argentina and Brazil. A nine day novena can be performed by adding the rosary when saying the following prayer:

O Virgin Mary, faithful Mother who never refuses

to come to the aid of your children;

Mother whose hands never cease to help,

because they are moved by the loving kindness

that exists in your Immaculate Heart;

Cast your eyes of compassion upon me,

and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life.

You know all the pains and sorrows

caused by these tangled knots.

Mary, my Mother, I entrust to your loving hands

the entire ribbon of my life.

In your hands there is no knot

which cannot be undone.

Most holy Mother,

pray for Divine Assistance to come to my aid.

Take this knot (make your personal request here)

into your maternal hands this day;

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God,

once and for all,

in the name of your divine Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Dawn Pisturino

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

The Angelus

Artwork by Jean Francois Millet

"The Angelus"

V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of Grace . . .

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary, full of Grace . . .

V. And the Word was made flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, full of grace . . .

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.

Through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

The Angelus prayer developed over several centuries into its present form and is traditionally recited at 6 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm. In some places, it is accompanied by a bell. This wonderful Marian devotion reminds us that Mary said "Yes!" when the Angel Gabriel delivered God's request that she become the mother of His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dawn Pisturino

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Meditations on the Luminous Mysteries

Pope John Paul II introduced the Luminous Mysteries in October 2002. I learned the Rosary before the Luminous Mysteries were introduced, so I have posted them last.

1. The Baptism in the Jordan

Water. Rebirth. The moment John the Baptist baptized Jesus, Jesus was transformed into the messenger of God and the Savior of Mankind. May we also cleanse our lives of impurities and walk in the light of God.

2. The Wedding at Cana

Jesus' first miracle was performed at the request of his mother, Mary. And it is here, at the wedding of Cana, that Jesus' ministry began. Let us look for ways to perform good deeds in our own everyday lives.

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom

The miracles that Jesus performed during his lifetime are only a small portion of what God will give us in heaven.

4. The Transfiguration

God revealed His glory when Christ was transfigured before the apostles. So, too, may we revel in God's glory in the Kingdom to come.

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

When Jesus asked us to remember Him while breaking the bread and drinking the wine, that's exactly what He meant for us to do. We become one with Christ when we partake of Holy Communion. Attend Holy Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist as often as you can. Be one with Christ. Follow the light of God.

Dawn Pisturino

August 6, 2015

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Meditations on the Glorious Mysteries

The little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, flushed with pride and excitement as she crowned the head of Our Blessed Mother with a beautiful wreath of springtime flowers.

Such innocence! Such joy!

It makes perfect sense that May is the month of Mary. Blooming flowers, the hum of nature's gentle creatures, warm breezes, and brilliant sunshine -- how beautiful is God's creation! And how beautiful is Our Blessed Mother!

1. The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead

How blessed were Mary Magdalene and the Apostles to witness Our Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the bonds of death! His victory over death and obliteration is Our Victory, as well. Life is NOT finite, limited, confined to material space. God embraces the whole universe, infinite time, and eternal existence. He is our destiny, our life, our hope. Jesus' resurrection confirms that this is so.

2. The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

Jesus told his apostles that his kingdom is not of this world. The Romans could not comprehend this statement because they were attached to a material existence, indifferent to their own pantheon of gods and goddesses. What a gloomy way of living, fearing the darkness and finality of the grave. Jesus went home to His Kingdom, where he awaits our arrival with expectation and joy. Should we feel anything less? Do Not Fear Death, for Our Lord and Savior awaits!

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

True to His word, Jesus appeared to His apostles after the resurrection, revealing His true nature. He exhorted them to believe, to have faith, and to spread the message to people everywhere. His believers became the body of Christ on earth. We become one with Jesus when we take the Eucharistic wafer at mass. We become one with Our Lord when we love one another and strive to act as one body. Unite! Do not allow the forces threatening our country and our world to be victorious.

4. The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven

Mary consented to be the vessel of God's will. She carried His love and message into the world. She encouraged her son, Jesus, to begin His great ministry at Cana. How right, then, that God should make a special place for her in Heaven!

5. The Crowning of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

And so we come again to the May crowning, when we remember our Spiritual Mother as the Mother of God. We love her, embrace her, turn to her for comfort. She is the mother of the world, ready to embrace all mankind. And she will stand next to her Son with open arms when we enter the gates of Heaven.

Dawn Pisturino