DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR AUGUST  2008.

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+A Meditation for the Month of August in which we contemplate Our Lady’s Assumption+

The Heavenly Salutation draws down upon us the blessings of Jesus and Mary in abundance, for it is an infallible truth that Jesus and Mary reward in a marvelous way those who glorify them. Jesus and Mary have always said: “We love those who love us; we enrich them and fill their treasuries to overflowing.” Second Corinthians says: “He who soweth in blessings shall also reap blessings..” Now, if we say the Hail Mary properly, is not this a way to love, bless and glorify Jesus and Mary? Both Saint Bernard and Saint Bonaventure say that the Queen of Heaven is certainly no less grateful and conscientious than gracious and well-mannered people of this world. Just as she excels in all other perfections, she surpasses us all in the virtue of gratitude. Thus she would never let us honour her with love and respect without repaying us one hundredfold. There is an old hymn and a new hymn: the first is that which the Jews sang out of gratitude to God for creating them….and delivering them from captivity. The new hymn is that which Christians sing in thanksgiving for the graces of the Incarnation and the Redemption. As these marvels were brought about by the Angelic Salutation, so also do we repeat the same Salutation to thank the Most Blessed Trinity for His immeasurable goodness to us. When we praise and bless Our Lady by saying the “Ave Maria!” she always passes on these praises to Almighty God just as she did when she was praised by Saint Elizabeth. The latter blessed her in her most elevated dignity as Mother of God; and Our Lady immediately returned these praises to God by her beautiful Magnificat. 

(Saint Louis de Montfort)

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Bishop Anthony writes: With GOD nothing is impossible and it is because the Father deigned (in a Compact with the Son) that that same Son should be born a man of an immaculate Virgin and die upon the Cross for our Redemption, that we praise and honour Mary. We Catholics are often accused by the ignorant of elevating Mary to the level almost of the Blessed Trinity. On the contrary, we love and praise Mary because of her role in our Salvation! The mystery of our Redemption by Jesus is hidden deeply in Jewish theology – the Old Law which Christ’s Coming made redundant. But that Old Law came, by God’s plan, first: thus Jesus and Mary were Jews! Every prayer and loving thought which we offer to Mary is returned by her instantly to the Holy Trinity – and Holy Church teaches that every “Hail Mary” which we utter is directed by her to God – Who then showers Mary with myriad rays of Divine Light. Mary is the most perfect and pure of God’s creatures and her whole earthly life held the deep and sublime truths which constitute our Salvation – truths which the Holy Ghost reveals to the  humblest and simplest of souls who honour all the Mysteries of Christ.  Mary was assumed Body and Soul into Heavenly Glory because she assented to make the Incarnation possible! That is why we praise and honour Our Lady and sing her praises! Her love of God is burning and unspeakable – as is the love of the Holy Trinity for her. And Mary’s love for us, if only we love her Son, is beyond anything we may imagine. Let us ever say in our hearts: Dearest Mary, pity us and help us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen and Mistress, be our Salvation! +Amen+

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Let us pray: Eternal God, Who didst prepare a worthy dwelling place for the Holy Spirit in the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that as we keep the Feast of her Immaculate Heart, we may have strength to live according to the desires of Thine own Heart.  Through Christ our Lord.    Amen

And a passing thought

Count your blessings; name them one by one: then it will surprise you what the Lord hath done!

(A well known English maxim, much quoted by our dear friend  Mrs Isobel Hurgon)

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IN THY HOLY INCARNATION, LORD JESUS CHRIST, WE ADORE AND GLORIFY THEE!
IN THY GLORIOUS ASSUMPTION, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, WE PRAISE AND BLESS THEE!
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, BE OUR SALVATION! O, BE OUR SALVATION!

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