Canada, eh? – Marian Days 2022
May is the beautiful month dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. Let us share some reflections about it, taken from a book “Christ is passing by” (Es Cristo que pasa) written by St. Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975). This article will be enchanted by Our Lady’s pictures coming from different countries.
Our Lady of Guadelupe, Mexico (Apparition in 1531)
If we look at the world, at the People of God, during this month of May, we will see devotion to our Lady taking the form of many old and new customs practiced with great love. Mary continually builds the Church and keeps it together. It is difficult to have devotion to our Lady and not feel closer to the other members of the mystical body and more united to its visible head, the pope. That’s why I like to repeat: All with Peter to Jesus through Mary!
Our Lady of La Salette, France. (Apparition in 1846).
By seeing ourselves as part of the Church and united to our brothers in the faith, we understand more deeply that we are brothers of all mankind, for the Church has been sent to all the peoples of the earth.
Our Lady of Lourdes, France. (Apparition in 1858)
Just think, for example, of the marriage at Cana. Our Lady was a guest at one of those noisy country weddings attended by crowds of people from many different villages. But she was the only one who noticed the wine was running out. It is natural for a woman, a housewife, to notice something was lacking, to look after the little things which make life pleasant. And that is how Mary acted.
Our Lady of Gietrzwałd, Poland. (Apparition in 1877)
Many Christians have the custom of wearing the scapular; or they have acquired the habit of greeting those pictures — a glance is enough — which are found in every christian home and in many public places; or they recall the central events in Christ’s life by saying the rosary, never getting tired of repeating its words, just like people in love; or they mark out a day of the week for her — Saturday, doing some special little thing for her and thinking particularly about her motherhood.
Our Lady of Knock, Ireland. (Apparition in 1879)
Because Mary is our mother, devotion to her teaches us to be authentic sons: to love truly, without limit; to be simple, without the complications which come from selfishly thinking only about ourselves; to be happy, knowing that nothing can destroy our hope.
Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal. (Apparition in1917)
If we have this filial contact with Mary, we won’t be able to think just about ourselves and our problems. Selfish personal problems will find no place in our mind. A Christian can’t be caught up in personal problems; he must be concerned about the universal Church and the salvation of all souls.
Our Lady of Beauraing , Belgium. (Apparition in 1932)
Filling the world with light, being the salt and light — that was how our Lord described the mission of his disciples. To bring to the ends of the earth the good news of God’s love. I’ll go further than that. We have to yearn not to be alone. We have to encourage others to help in this divine task of bringing joy and peace to men’s hearts.
Our Lady of Banneux , Belgium (Appariton in1933)
But bear in mind that, as our Lord tells us in a parable, the sower of weeds came “while men slept. “We so easily allow ourselves to be carried away by the torpor of selfishness and superficiality, getting wrapped up in thousands of passing experiences, that we avoid coming to grips with the real meaning of the world and life. A bad thing that lethargy, which smothers man’s dignity and makes him a slave of sadness!
Our Lady of Good Hope / Nia Sinjorino de Bona Espero
So we have to awaken the people who have fallen into the dangerous sleep our Lord mentioned. We must remind them that life is not something to play with — it is a divine treasure which must grow. We must also show the way to those who have good will and good desires, but don’t know how to put them into practice.
Stella Maris – Our Lady Patroness of the Sailors
Be daring. Count on the help of Mary, queen of apostles. Without ceasing to be a mother, our Lady is able to get each of her children to face his own responsibilities. Many conversions, many decisions to give oneself to the service of God have been preceded by an encounter with Mary. Our Lady has encouraged us to look for God, to desire to change, to lead a new life.
Rosa Mystica
The month of May is beginning. Our Lord wants us to make good use of this opportunity to increase in his love through dealing with his Mother. Let’s try each day to show her, through little things that we love her, that we are making a constant effort to contribute to the salvation which Christ has brought to the world.
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Our Lady of the Cape. The national shrine in Trois-Rivières (Quebec, Canada)
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The month of May is beginning. Our Lord wants us to make good use of this opportunity to increase in his love through dealing with his Mother. Let’s try each day to show her, through little things that we love her, that we are making a constant effort to contribute to the salvation which Christ has brought to the world.
Our Lady of the Victory. She will crush the serpent.
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Sancta Maria, spes nostra, ancilla Domini, sedes Sapientiae, ora pro nobis! Holy Mary, our hope, handmaid of the Lord, seat of Wisdom, pray for us!
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