Blessed Holy Mother

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

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden

When Mary agreed to be the mother of Jesus, did she understand the great mission He would fulfill?

The agony in the garden represents Jesus' moment of Truth. He has come to the end of His ministry and the beginning of the fulfillment of His great destiny. He has agreed to become a willing sacrifice to the Great Work of God, His father.

What are we willing to sacrifice in our own lives for God?

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Jesus suffers pain, loss, and humiliation at the hands of His enemies. From the moment of Judas' betrayal, Jesus is stripped of His dignity, humbled, and punished.

How many times have we been betrayed by a friend, a husband, a lover, a family member? We remember the pain, the humiliation, the loss of dignity and self-respect.

Jesus forgave His enemies. Do we have the strength to do the same?

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns

When Jesus is crowned with thorns, His enemies believed they were humiliating Him and making fun of Him. But this crowning foreshadows Jesus' ultimate victory.

We too will achieve ultimate victory over our enemies and our sins, if we are humble, steadfast, and patient.

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

Such weight! Such burden! Jesus carried the sins of mankind on His back, along with the Cross. He stumbled and fell but never wavered on His journey.

What burdens do we carry on our backs? What crosses do we bear? Do we bear them happily and willingly, for the sake of God? Or, do we grumble and fret, looking to free ourselves?

Love God and trust in His mercy.

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion

Mary stood at the foot of the Cross, weeping, as her beloved son's life slipped away. Darkness filled the world. But Mary never gave up hope. She trusted in God's will while waiting for Her son's resurrection. She forgave His enemies and gave comfort to the apostles. She became a mother to all mankind.

We honor Mary for her love, strength, and devotion. She raises us up, just like she raised her beloved son, Jesus.

Dawn Pisturino

Friday, December 5, 2014

Meditations on the Joyful Mysteries

by Dawn Pisturino

THE FIRST JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Annunciation

There would be no Christmas without Mary and Joseph.

Mary answered the call to serve God by agreeing to become the mother of Jesus. She supported Jesus throughout his ministry, suffering as He suffered, and growing in her faith, despite the terrible death of her son.

Joseph overcame his doubts and fears and accepted the responsibility of becoming a stepfather to Mary's son. He loved and protected the blessed infant and his mother. He stands as a role model for all men everywhere.

THE SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Visitation

What joy Elizabeth felt when she recognized the special gift growing in Mary's womb! What joy she felt when her own son, John, leapt in her own womb! Both women, blessed by God, helped to change the world. This is the special gift of all mothers, that their children have the power to create a better world for all God's children.

THE THIRD JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Nativity

The King arrives as a simple child, guileless, innocent, and vulnerable. His complete purity of mind, heart, and body reminds us that we, too, were born innocent. The world takes away that innocence, and it is in worshipping the small, innocent child that we regain our own purity. Kneel down to the King and worship Him.

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

THE FOURTH JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Mary fulfilled her duties and presented her child to the Temple and to God, his father. So, too, can we fulfill our duties by attending Mass and presenting ourselves to God, our father.

THE FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Just as Jesus got about His father's business in the Temple, so, too, must we educate ourselves, be familiar with the Gospels and the teachings of the Catholic Church, and be about our Father's business.

PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dawn Pisturino

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Salve Regina

Artwork by Stephen Pisturino

The “Hail, Holy Queen” (Salve Regina) is attributed to a German monk, Hermann of Reichenau. This beautiful prayer to the Blessed Holy Mother is traditionally said at the end of the Rosary.

Hail, Holy Queen

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

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Salve, Regina

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

V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
R. Ut digni efficamur promissionibus Christi.

The Salve Regina in Song

Pray the Rosary Daily

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Hail, Mary!

The Annunciation Dove by Jean Fouquet

The Annunciation reminds us that Mary, without question, and with complete faith and devotion to God's will, accepted God's offer to become the Mother of the Word Incarnate.

The Hail Mary

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Hail, Mary! is the greeting made to Mary by the Angel Gabriel when he delivered the awesome message that God had chosen Mary, above all women, to be the Mother of God. The complete prayer did not come into common practice until the 15th century. The Hail Mary is now the foundation of the Holy Rosary. The Annunciation is the first mystery in the Joyful Mysteries.

PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY

August Devotion: The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of mercy, Queen of Heaven and Refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to your immaculate heart. Amen.

And don't forget The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin on August 15th.

God Bless You.

Dawn Pisturino

August 12, 2014

Monday, July 28, 2014

The Memorare

The Memorare is a traditional Catholic prayer dedicated to the Blessed Holy Mother. Originally composed as part of a longer prayer, the words were adapted into a separate devotion by the late 15th century. Father Claude Bernard (1588-1641), a French priest, was particularly devoted to this beautiful intercession to the Blessed Virgin. When struck down by serious illness, his prayers to the Holy Mother were quickly answered. He began to get well as soon as he prayed the Memorare. He used this powerful prayer in his ministry with convicts and those condemned to death. Many prisoners were converted from a life of sin through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mother Theresa used the Memorare in a quick novena. She would pray the devotion nine times in succession, imploring the Holy Mother's help.

The prayer is often attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153.)

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

July Dedication: The Precious Blood of Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ, who came down from Heaven to earth from the bosom of the Father, and did shed your Precious Blood for the remission of our sins: we humbly beseech You, that on the day of judgment we may deserve to hear, standing at Your right hand: "Come, ye blessed." Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Dawn Pisturino

July 28, 2014