Very recently, Pope Francis announced that he would consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13, 2013.
We discussed these points: Christ made Mary both sinless and free from the danger of sin. Does the sanctity of his mother add or detract from Jesus? In St. Francis’ writings, he compares Mary to the Ark of the Covenant. What parallels exist? What parts of Scripture support this comparison? How can we personally prepare ourselves for this consecration? What prayers and forms of Marian Consecration are you familiar with? Didn’t Pope John Paul II consecrate he world to Mary in 1984? Why might Pope Francis be renewing this consecration?
Sister Susan Marie: I am wondering how best we can prepare for the Pope’s consecration of the world, individually
Aug 18 2013, 7:27 PM
L: That would be so wonderful for me; I want to be as close the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary as I can!
Sister Susan Marie: I am hoping that there will be guidelines coming from Fatima or the Bishop’s conference that we could follow all together
Sister Susan Marie: But if not, I guess I would start by re-reading about Fatima and the Blessed Mother’s message there
L: That would be great!
Sister Susan Marie: Then trying to put into practice what she asked of us there
L: I loved the story of Fatima even as a young girl!
Sister Susan Marie: What impressed you the most?
L: That Our Blessed Mother loved us so much that she brought her Son’s message to a discouraged world!
I love the fact she showed herself yet again to children!
Sister Susan Marie: Yes our Blessed Mother truly works hard for us, coming to visit and encouraging us in various countries
L: Why do you think she has not shown here in the United States
Sister Susan Marie: I believe she did to a woman named Adele who was helping Native Americans? About 2 years ago the Bishop of that mid west area said it was approved
L: Oh I didn’t know about that
Sister Susan Marie: And Mexico is not too far and look at Guadalupe
L: So true!
Sister Susan Marie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrine_of_Our_Lady_of_Good_Help
Sister Susan Marie: That’s the American one in Wisconsin
L: Thank you
Sister Susan Marie: The first approved American apparition- or should I say USA?
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, Our Lady is the best!
Mary Roberta Viano: As a convert, I came very late to an understanding of Marian devotion.
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m glad now to be able to turn to her as my mother.
L: I was 17 myself when I came into the church!
She gives me much comfort!
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS: “Have recourse to her as her little children.”
Aug 18 2013, 7:55 PM
Sister Susan Marie: You both would have a great deal to share with others who might be struggling about honoring her
Mary Roberta Viano: “Whilst striving to imitate her virtues, let us have true filial hearts in her regard,” SFdS says.
L: I like the comparison of the Ark of the Covenant and how God did not let the waves of original sin wash over her like the waters of the Jordan did not wash over God’s people!
Mary Roberta Viano: I had some friends who felt it was easier to approach Mary than Our Lord – stranger.
L: I have heard that also
Mary Roberta Viano: because of her loving maternity
Sister Susan Marie: Ilike to think of Mary as the Ark in the Visitation scene- carrying Jesus to Elizabeth
L: It was easier to talk with her about my son I felt
L: Oh that is a wonderful analogy!
Mary Roberta Viano: Saying the rosary every day, I’ve come closer to her.
Sister Susan Marie: I recently came aware of the Blessed Mother in a new way as Our Lady of Good Counsel
Mary Roberta Viano: For me it’s been hard to approach a super-holy human being – so unlike me.
L: I love to say the rosary for the same reason! It brings me close to her and it is great comfort and joy for me!
Mary Roberta Viano: But then I realized the purpose of her whole life was to bring everyone closer to her Son.
L: Would you explain the Lady of Good Counsel?
Sister Susan Marie: Turn to her for advice- she is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit who is also Counselor
Sister Susan Marie: There is a painting a miraculous one of her under this title in Italy in a shrine run by Augustinians
L: Yes, I see! Thank you!
Sister Susan Marie: I think there are many ways of preparing for the world consecration to Our Blessed Mother
Mary Roberta Viano: And her heart, like Christ’s, burns with love for each person.
Aug 18 2013, 8:02 PM
Sister Susan Marie: But as we said earlier- becoming familiar again with her message at Fatima is very important
Mary Roberta Viano: And her heart, like Christ’s, burns with love for each person.
L: I think I will reread the story of Fatima
Mary Roberta Viano: Fits it with today’s Gospel, where Our Lord wants to set the world on fire with His love. He did that with Mary first.
Sister Susan Marie: You are both mothers so you know what a mother’s heart goes through
Sister Susan Marie: Yes great comparison Sister
L: Yes, I can feel the sorrow sometimes she must have gone through along with the great joy!
Sister Susan Marie: Yes just a spark of that love can keep me going
Mary Roberta Viano: I grew up, though, thinking I should always go directly to Jesus. Mary only showed up briefly at Christmas.
L: I did the stations of the Cross as seen through Mary’s eyes last year and I cried all the way through! My heart ached!
Mary Roberta Viano: And remember the scenes in Mel Gibson’s THE PASSION with Mary and Jesus! 6 PM
L: Having a son myself connects me with her even though her Son was so much more!
Sister Susan Marie: I think sometimes we are CALLED into a relationship with the Blessed Mother, too
loisw13: I never saw the Passion
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, Our Lord draws us to Him with His Mother’s love – her Immaculate Heart.
Aug 18 2013, 8:07 PM
Sister Susan Marie: I felt I was called to Medjugorge
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, Our Lord draws us to Him with His Mother’s love – her Immaculate Heart.
Sister Susan Marie: And I do feel called to learn more about Fatima
L: I didn’t think I could stand seeing the Passion!
Sister Susan Marie: It started just recently again that I became interested thru the movie the 13th day
Mary Roberta Viano: When my husband and I were in Medjugorge, we felt a strong presence of Our Lady. PM
L: Someone gave me the movie’the 13th day but I haven’t watched it yet!
Mary Roberta Viano: She wants our hearts to beat in rhythm with hers with love of her Son
Sister Susan Marie: And the world needs to be re-consecrated because it is a new generation and they were not around, the youth, last time
L: I agree with that!
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s why St. Maximilian Kolbe’s life speaks so strongly – not his martyrdom alone but his love for Our Lady.
L: I always feel when I approach her Son; that she has her arm around me!
Aug 18 2013, 8:14 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes how he loved the Immaculata!
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m sure she was there with him in the dungeon.
Sister Susan Marie: When he was substituted for the family man?
Mary Roberta Viano: Right
Sister Susan Marie: His Feast day borders her Assumption. That says something too!
Mary Roberta Viano: Our Lord knows we need that kind of support to live for Him alon
Sister Susan Marie: Always growing towards that- more and more
Mary Roberta Viano: I like to imagine that she’s holding my hand and leading me closer and closer to her Son every day.
L: Yes, me too
Sister Susan Marie: On the Feast of the Assumption I felt their Presence in a clearer way
Aug 18 2013, 8:18 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Perhaps it is our own openess that helps our Blessed Mother to get closer
Mary Roberta Viano: As a Catholic, I’m glad we have those more intense days, like the Assumption, to keep us focused on the most important things.
L: I have a large outdoor statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in my sunroom and I like to spend time with her there!
Sister Susan Marie: SFDS said: What a feast of consolation! She has ascended for the honor of her Son and to arouse in us a great devotion.”
8:20 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: It’s like when I’m driving, I have to keep my eyes on the road. When I’m moving toward Our Lord, I have to keep my eyes on His Mother, Our Lady
L: I never felt so close to Christ as a Protestant as I do now.
Sister Susan Marie: That’s a good example
L: I think it has to do with His mother!
Mary Roberta Viano: I like that she never got distracted, like I do too often, from her Son and His mission here on earth.
Mary Roberta Viano: She reminds me to make the best use of the grace I have!
L: I want to be consecrated to Her Heart!
Mary Roberta Viano: Not to take it for granted!
Sister Susan Marie: That is a beautiful goal, Lois and so timely. Our Mother will lead you to its accomplishment
Mary Roberta Viano: Look up St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose Militia for Our Lady, does just that – consecrates us to her.
L: What was the name of the book about being consecrated to her?
Sister Susan Marie: I mentioned St Louis de Montforts True Devotion to Mary, but this is another possibility, right, Sister?
Mary Roberta Viano: Did Louis de Montfort’s books talk about consecration to Our Lady?
L: Oh yes, that’s it!
Aug 18 2013, 8:26 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes
Sister Susan Marie: http://www.fisheaters.com/totalconsecrationmontfort.html
St. Louis de Montfort’s Way of Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary
Mary Roberta Viano: Or St. Alphonsus Liguori talked about consecration to Our Lady, too, in his books, I think.
Sister Susan Marie: Yes many saints found a way to Her
Mary Roberta Viano: including our own, St. Francis de Sales!
Aug 18 2013, 8:28 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: in his Introduction to the Devout Life
Sister Susan Marie: http://www.stalphonsusbalt.org/staprayers.htm
L: Yes I am reading that now!
Sister Susan Marie: Definitely- founded the Visitation to honor the Blessed Mother!
L: It is a wonderful book
Aug 18 2013, 8:29 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: My husband always love to sing the Salve Regina as a way to honor Our Lady and consecrate himself to her.
L: We sing that at the end of our community meetings! I love it!
Mary Roberta Viano: All the Marian hymns that we sing during the year at Night Prayer are perfect to turn us to her.
Sister Susan Marie: We sing it here every night, in season
L: Oh, how wonderful!
Mary Roberta Viano: and in turning us to her, we turn to HIM!
Aug 18 2013, 8:30 PM
L: I do love Night Prayer!
Sister Susan Marie: Also Hail O Queen and a few others
Sister Susan Marie: Don’t you turn the lights low in choir for the hymn, Sister?
L: She draws us gently ever closer to her Son!
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, lights low
Aug 18 2013, 8:32 PM
L: That must be beautiful!
Mary Roberta Viano: turn to Our Lady’s statue
Sister Susan Marie: Us too
Mary Roberta Viano: as she holds up her Son –
Mary Roberta Viano: through Mary to Jesus