Spiritual Reflections at, TX US - SEVEN SORROWS of THE BLESSED VIRGIN, Sept. 15...

Sept 15: Our Lady of Sorrows... O Mother of Sorrows, by the anguish and love with which you stood at the cross of Jesus, stand by me in my last agony... "At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed." (Stabat Mater) Our Lady shared with St. Bridget of Sweden the devotion of the Seven Sorrows/Dolors of Mary: --The prophecy of Simeon. --The flight into Egypt. --The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple. --The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross. --The Crucifixion. --The Pieta--holding the Body of Jesus taken down from the Cross. --The burial of Jesus. She also states that the Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary's and meditating on her tears and dolors. The Seven Graces include: --"I will grant peace to their families. --They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries. --I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work. --I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls. --I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives. --I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their mother. --I have obtained (This Grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy." Prayers Honoring the Seven Dolors of Mary (Approved by Pope Pius VII in 1815): V. O God, come to my assistance; R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, etc. R. As it was in the beginning, etc. 1. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. O dearest Mother, by your heart so afflicted, implore for me the virtue of humility and the Gift of the holy Fear of God. Hail Mary... 2. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. O dearest Mother, by your anxious heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the Gift of Piety. Hail Mary... 3. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your beloved Child Jesus. O dearest Mother, by your exeedingly troubled heart implore for me the virtue of chastity and the Gift of Knowledge. Hail Mary... 4. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, on account of the horror with which your mother-heart was stricken when meeting Jesus bearing the Cross. O dearest Mother, by your exeedingly oppressed heart implore for me the virtue of patience and the Gift of Fortitude. Hail Mary... 5. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, on account of that martyrdom which tortured your generous heart at the death-agony of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy martyred heart, implore for me the virtue of temperance and the Gift of Counsel. Hail Mary... 6. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your tender heart, by the thrust of the lance that opened the side of Jesus and pierced His most adorable Heart. O dearest Mother, by this vicarious transfixion of thy own heart, implore for me the virtue of brotherly love and the Gift of Understanding. Hail Mary... 7. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, on account of that agony which racked your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this extreme torment that filled thy burdened heart, obtain for me the virtue of zeal and the Gift of Wisdom. Hail Mary... V. Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let Us Pray: Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns world without end. Amen. Novena Prayer in Honor of the Sorrows of The Blessed Virgin Mary Most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, you stood beneath the cross, witnessing the agony of your dying Son. Look with a mother's tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before you. I venerate your sorrows and I place my requests with filial confidence in the sanctuary of your wounded heart. Present them, I beseech you, on my behalf to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred passion and death, together with your sufferings at the foot of the cross. Through the united efficacy of both, obtain the granting of my petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries if not to you, Mother of Mercy? You have drunk so deeply of the chalice of your Son, you can compassionate our sorrows. Holy Mary, your soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the passion of your Divine Son. Intercede for me and obtain for me from Jesus (mention request) if it be for His honor and glory and for my good. Amen. Blessed Mother says: "Dear children, I come to you once again on this commemoration of My Sorrows to offer you the Refuge of My Immaculate Heart which is Holy Love itself. Today every freedom is threatened through slavery to sin. All around you are wars and violence. All of this comes from hearts that fail in Holy Love-hearts full of malice and vengeance. You see terrorism and war as conflicts between nationalities and religions. I tell you, these things occur when hearts fail to answer My universal call to live in Holy Love." "Each heart must become an imitation of My Motherly Heart. Each heart must be like a little Refuge of Holy Love if you desire to live in peace and according to God's plan for you. False promises between men beget false peace. I am here to show you the way of genuine peace. You must respond with your free will. Otherwise, My words will do you no good, and the path to peace that I lay bare will go untraveled." "Dear children, I come to you tonight to draw apart My Remnant Faithful. You are the ones who cling tenaciously to the Tradition of Faith no matter the onslaught of compromise. You must not allow yourselves to be tricked by the evil one and to become part of the modern day sub-culture. This is a culture that worships the false god of self. When self becomes more important than God and neighbor, you have every sort of crime against innocence, abortion-all forms of debauchery. Anything is made to appear good if it serves self." "I am asking each of you, My dear children, to turn your hearts over to Me before it is too late. I cannot be victorious in your heart unless you choose it. You are not part of My Remnant because you say so, but because you have given your heart over to Holy Love and you cling to the faith." "Tonight the favor of My Heart rests upon you. My Son allows His Heart to be moved by your petitions. Many situations will be resolved in and through Holy Love soon. Marriages will be restored in love. Hearts that are convicted tonight of errors against the commandments of love will find a new relationship with God. Heaven will open Her arms to the sinner. God's Divine Will will be accepted in peace. Priests will be strengthened in their vocations and each one here will find their vocation in holiness. Those who suffer afflictions will find peace in My Motherly Arms. Tonight My Heart is truly the accommodation, both of sorrow and of joy. Tonight the Cross and the Victory are one." "Many of you have traveled far distances, both physically and spiritually. For some of you, your hearts have been far away from Me. I have called you, My dear children, come to Me and allow your hearts to be converted. Oh, how I cry copious tears for those who will not turn their hearts over to Me. The greatest natural resource any country can have is not gold or silver or oil, but is a righteous heart-a heart that seeks God." "My dear, dear children, I weep for you. Yes, I weep for you but I rejoice as well, as I see many here who will change their hearts." "Tonight I'm blessing you with My Blessing of Holy Love." September 19, 2003:(About the Double Rainbow) Jesus says: "I have come to explain the meaning of the double rainbow on the evening of My Mother's Feast of Sorrows." "The first one represents the covenant between My Father and mankind never to destroy the world again by flood. The second represents a new covenant of Holy and Divine Love. Any soul who sincerely lives out the Messages of Holy Love will not slip to his/her perdition." --------------------------------------- Missionary Servants of Holy Love - is an ecumenical lay apostolate committed to living and propagating the Holy Love messages. These messages, which support the two great commandments--love God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself--are given by means of private revelation to Our Lady's messenger. Missionary Servants of Holy Love gather to pray the rosary for world peace, for an end to abortion, and that hearts open to Blessed Mother's message of Holy Love. Missionary Servants of Holy Love, 37137 Butternut Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035 http://www.holylove.org Dear Brothers and Sisters! 1. The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, which we celebrated yesterday, is followed today by the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Two liturgical celebrations that invite us to undertake a spiritual pilgrimage to Calvary. They encourage us to unite ourselves to the Virgin Mary in contemplating the mystery of the cross. Christianity has its principal symbol in the cross. Wherever the Gospel has put down roots, the cross is there to indicate the presence of Christians. In churches and homes, in hospitals and schools, in cemeteries -- the cross has become the sign par excellence of a culture that draws truth and liberty, trust and hope from the message of Christ. In the process of secularization, which characterizes a great part of the contemporary world, it is all the more important that believers fix their gaze on this central sign of Revelation and gather its original and authentic meaning. 2. Also today, in keeping with the teachings of the early Fathers, the Church presents the cross to the world as "the tree of life," from which one can gather the ultimate and full meaning of every single existence and of the whole of human history. Since Jesus made it the instrument of salvation, the cross is no longer synonymous with a curse but, on the contrary, with a blessing. For man, tormented by doubt and sin, it reveals that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life" (John 3:16). In a word, the cross is the supreme symbol of love. Because of this, Christian young people carry it with pride through the streets of the world, entrusting to Christ all their worries and all their expectations of liberty, justice and peace. 3. Trusting in the loving care of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose feast we are celebrating today, I commend the English-speaking visitors and pilgrims to her maternal intercession. Upon all of you I invoke abundant divine blessings. 4. At the foot of the cross the Virgin Mary, perfectly united to the Son, was able to share in a singular way the depth of the pain and love of his sacrifice. No one better than she can teach us to love the cross. To the Virgin of Sorrows we entrust young people and families, nations and the whole of humanity. We invoke her in a special way for the sick and the suffering, for the innocent victims of injustice and violence, for Christians persecuted because of their faith. May the glorious Cross of Christ be for all a pledge of hope, rescue and peace. --Pope John Paul II About Novenas-- The Novena finds it's origin in ancient Church tradition. A Novena is simply any prayer said faithfully for a period of dedicated time. Generally it is said for nine consecutive days, nine Sundays, Fridays or Saturdays, or even nine hours in a row. Novenas have traditionally been known to be very powerful ~ used since the time of the Apostles when most notably, they and the other disciples prayed and fasted for nine days prior to receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentacost Background Information on Feasts in Honor of the Sorrows of Mary by St. Anthony Messenger Press: For a while there were two feasts in honor of the Sorrowful Mother: one going back to the 15th century, the other to the 17th century. For a while both were celebrated by the universal Church: one on the Friday before Palm Sunday, the other in September. The principal biblical references to Mary's sorrows are in Luke 2:35 and John 19:26-27. The Lucan passage is Simeon's prediction about a sword piercing Mary's soul; the Johannine passage relates Jesus' words to Mary and to the beloved disciple. Many early Church writers interpret the sword as Mary's sorrows, especially as she saw Jesus die on the cross. Thus, the two passages are brought together as prediction and fulfillment. St. Ambrose in particular sees Mary as a sorrowful yet powerful figure at the cross. Mary stood fearlessly at the cross while others fled. Mary looked on her Son's wounds with pity, but saw in them the salvation of the world. As Jesus hung on the cross, Mary did not fear to be killed but offered herself to her persecutors. Comment: John's account of Jesus' death is highly symbolic. When Jesus gives the beloved disciple to Mary, we are invited to appreciate Mary's role in the Church: She symbolizes the Church; the beloved disciple represents all believers. As Mary mothered Jesus, she is now mother to all his followers. Furthermore, as Jesus died, he handed over his Spirit. Mary and the Spirit cooperate in begetting new children of God—almost an echo of Luke's account of Jesus' conception. Christians can trust that they will continue to experience the caring presence of Mary and Jesus' Spirit throughout their lives and throughout April 12, 2003: Jesus says of his Mother: "See the Hand of your Heavenly Mother in every turn of events. It is with Her own Hand that She prepared My Body to lay in the tomb. It was by the Hand of My Mother that the roses were arranged on Juan Diego's tilma." "It is by the Hand of My Mother all of humanity is being beckoned into Her Immaculate Heart." March 1, 2003: Mary says: "My dear children, each 'Hail Mary' you give to Me is like a precious gift to be unwrapped and enjoyed at My choosing. It is like a soothing balm that embraces your Mother's Heart, and calms the anxiety that I hold in My Heart for souls who do not listen and do not remain faithful to the commandments." 10/9/02: It is through the Confraternity of the United Hearts that I will weave together a strong vestment of traditional faithful. This vestment will withstand the wind of controversy, and the floods of compromise that have begun and will continue to sweep through the Church." "Because the Church was built on 'rock', it will not succumb. But for all intents and purposes, it will seem to crumble. There will be much confusion in the hearts of the leaders and in the laity, as well. Even now, it has begun." "It is the Confraternity that will lead souls on the sure path during this age of darkness which descends upon the Church. The spirituality of the Remnant will remain strong and uncompromised, for it will be protected in Our United Hearts. Faith will return as in ages past when the darkness is overcome." 10/14/02: "I am Mary, Virgin Mother of God. Praise be to Jesus. I come to fill your heart and the world with My grace. I come to tighten the threads of the Remnant Faithful. I come to unite the Confraternity in Holy and Divine Love." "Please understand, My children, these perilous times in which you live, Satan is fighting his last battle. It is a decisive battle waged against Holy Love. The final victory will be a Victory of Love. But until the Triumph, My little ones will suffer much persecution. I speak not only of a persecution in the body, but in spirit, as well. In the spiritual battle which lies at hand, you will be able to persevere only through Holy Love." "Do not succumb to the lukewarm spirits around you; nor can you allow yourselves to be discouraged by the heresy and apostasy which abounds around you. You must be My warriors in this battle of good against evil. If you surrender to complacency or to popular opinion which may oppose Holy Love, you have chosen sides with My adversary. Persevere, My children-be My martyrs of love." 10/17/02: Our Lady comes as Refuge of Holy Love. She says: "Praise be to Jesus. My daughter, today in this present moment you feel the peace and security of My Heart. The time approaches when you and all those in the world will be challenged as never before. It will be a time of great perplexities, such as the world has never known. Plenty will give way to want. Necessities will be redefined. Economic systems will be extorted by those seeking power. More importantly, in this darkest of hours faith will be put to the test by My adversary who will take religion into his own hands as a means of rising to power." "It is only through an outpouring of grace from your Heavenly Mother's Heart that My children will be brought to safety. Through the grace of this Heavenly refuge, the impossible will be made possible." "Perhaps you see some of these signs I speak of as already in your midst. Perhaps you believe the darkest hour is at hand. I desire My children realize it is only beginning." "Let My message of Holy Love be your mainstay. Let the certainty of the Refuge of Holy Love-My Immaculate Heart-undermine the enemy's plans to unsettle your peace. Take refuge in the Holy Love message, for this is the embrace of My Heart." "Today, I am raising up the Confraternity of Our United Hearts as a mighty army against Satan's plans. In the end, love will be victorious." 10/27/02: "Praise be to Jesus. My daughter, you recognize Me under this title 'Protectress of the Faith'. It is by merit of this title-evil flees and the Tradition of Faith lies protected beneath My Mantle of Love." "Had your country abandoned itself to Me under this most powerful title, whole segments of her populace would have been saved and faith upheld. As it is, error has scattered the true Tradition of Faith to the four winds. Hypocrisy and heresy go unchecked." "But I have returned to you under this title of 'Protectress of the Faith', and I ask that you begin once again to propagate it. Essentially, it is approved by another Bishop in another country. I am inviting you not to await approvals from high places at this time. The trials are too profound and numerous against the faith. My little ones are overwhelmed with controversy." "I come that you might have this weapon-"Mary Protectress of the Faith'-with which to wage war against the enemy who seeks to destroy your faith." "Make it known." 11/7/02:Our Lady comes framed in the Rosary of the Unborn. She says: "Praise be to Jesus." "Dear children, please understand I am here today much as I was at Fatima. The full energy of Heaven exhorts your prayers and sacrifices. When I appeared in Fatima the world was engaged in war. Today, My children, it is still so-and the war has intensified. It is fought in every human heart. It is the battle between good and evil. When evil wins over a heart, sin is the result. This is why you have abortion, terrorism and every form of human indecency." "The great apostasy of faith which I revealed to the children at Fatima is within the Church today. People that seek their own agenda were easily won over by My adversary. The Holy Father who has already won the crown of sanctity suffers to a great degree. This apostasy, you see, reaches even the highest positions within the Church itself. So, My little children, understand that because this apostasy remains clothed in goodness, it is an even greater threat to the faithful." "We must not relent in prayer and sacrifice during these end times. My Mantle of Protection is over the Remnant Faithful." "Make this known." 11/25/02: "Praise be to Jesus. My angel, this message must be carried into the world. Historically, the Church has been slow to move on private revelation, apparitions and the like. Discernment is good and necessary, but it should not stand in the way of the genuine. The Church needs to be open to the positive aspects of such phenomena instead of groping to find the negative." "Many important events and revelations have been squelched and defeated by this attitude. One of these was My title 'Protectress of the Faith' which was so timely and necessary. This title carried with it the grace to overcome the crisis of faith your country now faces. Under this title I was ready to overcome Satan in hearts, in families, in communities and in the priesthood." "Now I come to you under a new title 'Refuge of Holy Love'. My faithful children have the power to carry this title into the world along with the title "Protectress of the Faith'. Do so! When you repeat 'Mary Protectress of the Faith' and "Refuge of Holy Love', the enemy will flee. It will be your spiritual refuge in the troubles which lie ahead." "Your enemy is not a certain maniacal dictator, but Satan himself who seeks to destroy this planet and all on it. Therefore, you need your Heavenly Mother's protection. Do not wait for sanctions and approvals. There is not enough time. Spread this message wherever you go."

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