May 9th
Chapter Six of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Of the Power and Abilities of Mary
Mary tenderly sheds tears with the unhappy; she is compassionate with the sorrows of those who suffer; she comes to give help in the struggles of those who are tempted; she turns herself ever to those who pray to her. All those who go with confidence and devotion to seek refuge with her and call upon her name find in her abundance and consolation.
Thus, therefore, let every pious Christian hurry to seek refuge near Mary, if he wishes to escape from the shipwrecks of the world, and to arrive at the port of eternal salvation.
O Mary, gentle Mother, beloved Mother above all, you are the star on the horizon of the sea, the star which smiles on the lost mariner, the star which leads to the haven of peace.
Let it rise to you, O Mary, my simple prayer. May the flame of my desire arise toward you, my cherished Queen. Defend my cause at the tribunal of your Son, for no one is found innocent before Him.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
May 8th
Chapter Five of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Our Duties to Mary
It is often important, indeed, to know of a refuge in which one may hide oneself against storms, in the presence of tempests of tribulation. There is no spot, no place more secure, no port more tranquil than the bosom of Mary. So there is no runner more rapid to support us against the blows of the enemy, than an ardent prayer, rising from the plain to the well-armed stronghold of the Virgin Mary. This stronghold is the same one in which Jesus entered to be clothed therein with a body like unto an armor, so as to chase afar the prince of darkness.
Enter you, too, within that fortress so as to be sheltered from those who assail you. Remain under the mantle of the Virgin Mary; you will be protected by the arms of a mother. The prayer of Mary puts go flight the destructive rabble of evil enemies; her aid snatches us from imminent peril. Near her, he who wavers finds support, and he who is abandoned, help....Attach yourself to her, and do not leave her until she has granted you her blessing so as to lead you to heaven.
O Mary, O mistress filled with clemency, in the name of pure love and affection, I remain at your feet. Give to my heart, I beg you, an increase of confidence.
Fear pursues me and doubt gnaws at me; despair assails me in the midst of temptations: only one thing is still able to console me: It is that I have sought to be heard by you. O Mother, I entrust myself to your heart.
Chapter Five of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Our Duties to Mary
It is often important, indeed, to know of a refuge in which one may hide oneself against storms, in the presence of tempests of tribulation. There is no spot, no place more secure, no port more tranquil than the bosom of Mary. So there is no runner more rapid to support us against the blows of the enemy, than an ardent prayer, rising from the plain to the well-armed stronghold of the Virgin Mary. This stronghold is the same one in which Jesus entered to be clothed therein with a body like unto an armor, so as to chase afar the prince of darkness.
Enter you, too, within that fortress so as to be sheltered from those who assail you. Remain under the mantle of the Virgin Mary; you will be protected by the arms of a mother. The prayer of Mary puts go flight the destructive rabble of evil enemies; her aid snatches us from imminent peril. Near her, he who wavers finds support, and he who is abandoned, help....Attach yourself to her, and do not leave her until she has granted you her blessing so as to lead you to heaven.
O Mary, O mistress filled with clemency, in the name of pure love and affection, I remain at your feet. Give to my heart, I beg you, an increase of confidence.
Fear pursues me and doubt gnaws at me; despair assails me in the midst of temptations: only one thing is still able to console me: It is that I have sought to be heard by you. O Mother, I entrust myself to your heart.
May 7th
Chapter Four of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Grandeurs and Glories of Mary
O Mary, greater than the heavens, you have the world under your feet, and you are seated close to God, on the throne of honor which Jesus gave you. Your mercy which surpasses all mercy draws me to you, for you are ever the aid and consolation of those who suffer. I have need, O Mother, of being consoled and fortified. More than that, I have need of the grace of your Son because I know that without it I can accomplish nothing.
You are able, O my Mother, if you wish, to lift me up and help me with your powerful succor. You can comfort me with your abundant consolation. I feel myself engulfed by temptation, so I run to you, since I feel that near you I shall find help as well as pity.
It is with respect, with love and confidence that I come, O Mary, to offer you in my turn the salutation the angel offered you kneeling.
O Mother, more beloved than all mothers, O Mary, if sometimes I have forgotten you, I regret and weep for it today. But you, oh! do not forget me, you who alone brought forth mercy by giving birth to Jesus.
Kneeling, I salute you, I bow before you, I join my hands and prostrate myself, so that you may listen with greater love to my prayer. I say before you, and I wish ever to repeat it: "Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you; you are blessed among all women, and Jesus, the fruit of your womb, is blessed."
Chapter Four of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Grandeurs and Glories of Mary
O Mary, greater than the heavens, you have the world under your feet, and you are seated close to God, on the throne of honor which Jesus gave you. Your mercy which surpasses all mercy draws me to you, for you are ever the aid and consolation of those who suffer. I have need, O Mother, of being consoled and fortified. More than that, I have need of the grace of your Son because I know that without it I can accomplish nothing.
You are able, O my Mother, if you wish, to lift me up and help me with your powerful succor. You can comfort me with your abundant consolation. I feel myself engulfed by temptation, so I run to you, since I feel that near you I shall find help as well as pity.
It is with respect, with love and confidence that I come, O Mary, to offer you in my turn the salutation the angel offered you kneeling.
O Mother, more beloved than all mothers, O Mary, if sometimes I have forgotten you, I regret and weep for it today. But you, oh! do not forget me, you who alone brought forth mercy by giving birth to Jesus.
Kneeling, I salute you, I bow before you, I join my hands and prostrate myself, so that you may listen with greater love to my prayer. I say before you, and I wish ever to repeat it: "Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you; you are blessed among all women, and Jesus, the fruit of your womb, is blessed."
Monday, May 6, 2013
May 6th
Chapter Three of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Virtues and Tasks of a Good Servant of Mary
Learn to call upon Jesus in everything, and you will be aided both in perils of the soul and of the body. Have Jesus always in your heart, in happiness, and you will never be overcome by human distress. Say often the Hail Mary: you will find in it joy and peace: no prayer is more beautiful than the Our Father; none is sweeter and gentler than the Hail Mary.
He who knows how to nourish his soul with prayer, he who knows how to pray with the sacred texts, will never know aridity in devotion. Strive thus constantly to honor the names of Jesus and Mary in your heart and with your lips.
Wherever you may go, or wherever you may be, implore Jesus and call upon Mary Have as a rule of life and as a help in time of need this pious invocation: Guide, O my Lord, always guide my way in Your presence. He who in his heart bears Jesus and Mary always works well, always conducts himself well.
O Mary, O Mother full of mercy, receive close to you, your servant wandering without consolation, in the midst of his trials. Look, O my Queen, look at my affliction and open to me your heart full of consolation. Here I am praying and saying in my distress, that I shall not cease nor leave you until you have had pity on me.
I know, O Mother, your incomparable sweetness, I know the maternal flame of your noble heart, I know the fullness of love that fills it, and that I may have full hope in you. Also, I take refuge with you, O my Mother, so that in joy as in sorrow, I may receive your watchful succor and listen to your maternal consolation.
Chapter Three of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Virtues and Tasks of a Good Servant of Mary
Learn to call upon Jesus in everything, and you will be aided both in perils of the soul and of the body. Have Jesus always in your heart, in happiness, and you will never be overcome by human distress. Say often the Hail Mary: you will find in it joy and peace: no prayer is more beautiful than the Our Father; none is sweeter and gentler than the Hail Mary.
He who knows how to nourish his soul with prayer, he who knows how to pray with the sacred texts, will never know aridity in devotion. Strive thus constantly to honor the names of Jesus and Mary in your heart and with your lips.
Wherever you may go, or wherever you may be, implore Jesus and call upon Mary Have as a rule of life and as a help in time of need this pious invocation: Guide, O my Lord, always guide my way in Your presence. He who in his heart bears Jesus and Mary always works well, always conducts himself well.
O Mary, O Mother full of mercy, receive close to you, your servant wandering without consolation, in the midst of his trials. Look, O my Queen, look at my affliction and open to me your heart full of consolation. Here I am praying and saying in my distress, that I shall not cease nor leave you until you have had pity on me.
I know, O Mother, your incomparable sweetness, I know the maternal flame of your noble heart, I know the fullness of love that fills it, and that I may have full hope in you. Also, I take refuge with you, O my Mother, so that in joy as in sorrow, I may receive your watchful succor and listen to your maternal consolation.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
May 5th
Chapter Two of The Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Duties Toward Mary
Choose before all things, Mary for mother, for advocate, and for model. Greet her every day with the Angelic Salutation...
If you know how to think and act in this way, you will advance rapidly in perfection. Mary will protect you with all her power, and Jesus will hear you in His gentle mercy. What we do is very little. It is nothing. Nevertheless, if we do it with Mary, we shall rise little by little to God our Father. We shall always find near Him consolation and joy.
Happy is he who knows how to keep always near him Jesus and Mary as hosts of his table, consolers in his troubles, help in his danger, counsel in his doubt, protectors at his death. Happy is he who considering himself in this world as a wayfarer, and as a stranger, keeps Jesus for a companion and Mary for a hostess.
O Mother, I come to you filled with hope. I come to you recalling the exultant joy which the Archangel Gabriel once brought to you when, falling on his knees before you, he saluted your virginity, saying respectfully: Hail, Mary, the Lord is with thee.
This greeting I say to you again, O Mother, with the heart, and, if I could, with the voice of all the faithful, so that thus all creatures may sing with me from the depth of their souls and their being: Ave Maria, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, thou art blessed, O Mother, among all women, and Jesus the fruit of thy womb, is blessed on earth and in heaven, today and always.
Chapter Two of The Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Duties Toward Mary
Choose before all things, Mary for mother, for advocate, and for model. Greet her every day with the Angelic Salutation...
If you know how to think and act in this way, you will advance rapidly in perfection. Mary will protect you with all her power, and Jesus will hear you in His gentle mercy. What we do is very little. It is nothing. Nevertheless, if we do it with Mary, we shall rise little by little to God our Father. We shall always find near Him consolation and joy.
Happy is he who knows how to keep always near him Jesus and Mary as hosts of his table, consolers in his troubles, help in his danger, counsel in his doubt, protectors at his death. Happy is he who considering himself in this world as a wayfarer, and as a stranger, keeps Jesus for a companion and Mary for a hostess.
O Mother, I come to you filled with hope. I come to you recalling the exultant joy which the Archangel Gabriel once brought to you when, falling on his knees before you, he saluted your virginity, saying respectfully: Hail, Mary, the Lord is with thee.
This greeting I say to you again, O Mother, with the heart, and, if I could, with the voice of all the faithful, so that thus all creatures may sing with me from the depth of their souls and their being: Ave Maria, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, thou art blessed, O Mother, among all women, and Jesus the fruit of thy womb, is blessed on earth and in heaven, today and always.
May 4th The Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Chapter One
The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Many young girls, says the author of Wisdom, have amassed riches, but you, O Mary, you surpass them all greatly. Children, be faithful imitators of Jesus, and perfect imitators of Mary. It matters a great deal, it matters for your salvation, for the honor of Jesus and the glory of Mary, that you always be devout in your prayers, sober in your words, discreet in your looks...
Be simple, like the simple children of god, without deception, without envy, without criticism, without murmuring, and without any suspicion. Support all adverse things with charity, with great patience and great humility...To one who knows how to offer his life to the divine Trinity, all that is bitter here on earth appears sweet, and all that seems heavy appears very light...
O Mary, O sweet Mother of my Jesus, I beg you, deign to open to your poor servant both your maternal compassion and your love, laden with sweetness. Pour into my heart one drop of your tenderness so that I may love you with a pure heart, you, O Mother, the sweetest of all mothers, so that I may imitate you and Jesus.
Chapter One
The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Many young girls, says the author of Wisdom, have amassed riches, but you, O Mary, you surpass them all greatly. Children, be faithful imitators of Jesus, and perfect imitators of Mary. It matters a great deal, it matters for your salvation, for the honor of Jesus and the glory of Mary, that you always be devout in your prayers, sober in your words, discreet in your looks...
Be simple, like the simple children of god, without deception, without envy, without criticism, without murmuring, and without any suspicion. Support all adverse things with charity, with great patience and great humility...To one who knows how to offer his life to the divine Trinity, all that is bitter here on earth appears sweet, and all that seems heavy appears very light...
O Mary, O sweet Mother of my Jesus, I beg you, deign to open to your poor servant both your maternal compassion and your love, laden with sweetness. Pour into my heart one drop of your tenderness so that I may love you with a pure heart, you, O Mother, the sweetest of all mothers, so that I may imitate you and Jesus.
Friday, May 3, 2013
May 3rd
Chapter Seven of Praying to God as a Friend
Praying with Confidence in God
Go to God with the greatest possible confidence. It is a great mistake to be afraid of one who is so loving and longs for your love. Recall how mercifully God tries to lead you out of a sinful life, and away from attachments to things that are evil, so that you can be united with God.
When you are troubled by any sort of doubt, whether it be caused by yourself or by others, act as faithful friends do and speak to God about these difficulties. Consider that God loves you more than you can possibly love in return. What do you fear? One who loves God should never be afraid.
It pleases God when you forget about yourself and speak about others, especially those who are troubled or worried, those who are suffering, those who yearn for and those who have drifted away from God's grace. Know that you can express your trust in God not only by bringing your own personal needs but also by mentioning those of others.
Reanimate your confidence by thinking of the gift which God has given in the person of Jesus Christ.
O God, You are so lovable and worthy of infinite love. How can You bear that so many people in this world whom You have showered with gifts refuse to know and love You? They even offend and despise You.
Most loving God, may Your name be adored and loved by all people throughout the world. I beg You, do not let me leave You without Your granting some grace for those on whose behalf I am praying.
O God of life, I love You more than myself. You alone are enough for me. I consecrate to You all my love. Since You have drawn me to that love, leave all, I renounce all, and I bind myself to You.
Mary, grant that with my last breath I may pronounce your name and the name of your Son, Jesus.
Chapter Seven of Praying to God as a Friend
Praying with Confidence in God
Go to God with the greatest possible confidence. It is a great mistake to be afraid of one who is so loving and longs for your love. Recall how mercifully God tries to lead you out of a sinful life, and away from attachments to things that are evil, so that you can be united with God.
When you are troubled by any sort of doubt, whether it be caused by yourself or by others, act as faithful friends do and speak to God about these difficulties. Consider that God loves you more than you can possibly love in return. What do you fear? One who loves God should never be afraid.
It pleases God when you forget about yourself and speak about others, especially those who are troubled or worried, those who are suffering, those who yearn for and those who have drifted away from God's grace. Know that you can express your trust in God not only by bringing your own personal needs but also by mentioning those of others.
Reanimate your confidence by thinking of the gift which God has given in the person of Jesus Christ.
O God, You are so lovable and worthy of infinite love. How can You bear that so many people in this world whom You have showered with gifts refuse to know and love You? They even offend and despise You.
Most loving God, may Your name be adored and loved by all people throughout the world. I beg You, do not let me leave You without Your granting some grace for those on whose behalf I am praying.
O God of life, I love You more than myself. You alone are enough for me. I consecrate to You all my love. Since You have drawn me to that love, leave all, I renounce all, and I bind myself to You.
Mary, grant that with my last breath I may pronounce your name and the name of your Son, Jesus.
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