December 12 2023 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Mary's Protection

 At the crucifixion, on Calvary, on Good Friday, Jesus decreed Mary to be the Mother of Christians. As Mother she teaches, she guides, she inspires, she nurtures, and she protects. Mary’s role as protector is particularly central to today’s feast. 

In 1531, Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego as Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the image imprinted on his tilma, Our Lady wears a black band around her waste, showing herself to be with child. For nine months, the Christ child grew in the protective womb of Our Lady. 

To the pagan nation of Mexico, Mary revealed herself in this way—as a protected mother—the mother of Christ and their mother as well. Mary would help them break the bond of a false religion which involved the abominable practice of human sacrifice.

The Collect prayer this morning for Our Lady of Guadalupe speaks of how God placed his people under the singular protection of the Son’s most holy Mother.

The Vatican II Constitution on the Church, speaks of the ancient devotion to Mary’s protection: “Clearly from earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honored under the title of Mother of God, under whose protection the faithful took refuge in all their dangers and necessities.”

I remember reading an article a few years ago, I remember reading a report of seven Iraqi Catholic women who claimed Mary protected them from ISIS terrorists. When ISIS soldiers stormed their shelter, they prayed to Our Lady as they hid under beds which were being used by the soldiers. They said, “When ISIS entered our room, they didn’t see us, we feel that the Virgin Mary closed their eyes from seeing us.”

Sometimes it seems that the powers of evil which surround us and conspire against the Church are so cunning and pervasive. Yet, God has not left us unprotected. He has given us such a powerful advocate and protector in Our Lady. 

She who was guarded from sin from the moment of her Immaculate Conception throughout her whole life guards her sons and daughters from sin and evil as well. The theologian Richard of St. Lawrence writes: “Mary protects us under the mantle of Her humility.”

Holy Father Pope Francis even wrote a prayer for seeking Our Lady’s protection: he wrote, “We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen."

And of course, the Memorare written by St. Bernard implores Our Lady’s protection, praying “REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.”

In our Christian mission of serving God in this fallen world, we can attract the attention of some very malicious evil spirits, not to mention those who have made themselves enemies of the Gospel. Attacks from the powers and principalities allied with evil are inevitable, and so seeking Our Lady’s protection is vital.  

May we place ourselves under the protection and guidance of Our Lady of Gaudalupe, who helps us in remaining faithful to her Son in all things, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring our prayers to God through Mary.

That Our Lady may protect the Church from all evil, and aid us in the mission of the Gospel.

That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all peoples will work together for an end to child sacrifice and violations of innocent life, and for the legal protection of the unborn.

For all refugees forced to flee from their homes, that God bring peace to them and their country of origin.

That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who intercedes for us from her place in heaven. 

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

August 20 2019 - St. Bernard - A light shining and burning

Adviser of popes, preacher of the Second Crusade, defender of the faith, healer of a schism, mystical contemplative ,reformer of a monastic Order, Scripture scholar, theologian and eloquent preacher: today we celebrate the memorial of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

In the year 1111, around the age of 20, Bernard left his home to join the Cistercian monastery at Citeaux in France.  St. Bernard with his intelligence and holiness of life attracted many vocations, in fact two of his uncles and five of his brothers joined the monastery with him, and his sister became a Benedictine nun. There is even a book written about St. Bernard’s family called, “The Family that Conquered Heaven.” Bernard founded not only the monastery at Clairvaux, but 163 other monasteries throughout Europe. 

The Collect Prayer for his memorial calls Bernard a “light shining and burning” in the Church. And his light was certainly not hidden under a bushel basket, rather it drew many to seek holiness, as it does for us.

From where did his holiness derive? Bernard’s love for Our Lady is renowned. Bernard had a unbounded confidence in the intercession of Our Lady, and composed that powerful prayer, the Memorare: “Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.”

The Magnificat Antiphon for Vespers this evening calls Bernard the “most eminent preacher of the Virgin Mary’s glory”. St. Bernard’s love for the Blessed Virgin was so renowned, that when Dante composed his Divine Comedy, it is St. Bernard who leads the pilgrim to the highest heaven, to the mystical rose, to Our Lady whose faith, hope, and love for God surpasses all others. It was Bernard who proposed the title for Our Lady as Mediatrix of Grace.

It was Bernard, too, who uttered one of my favorite quotes. He said, “the three most important virtues are humility, humility, and humility.”

Through the intercession and example of St. Bernard, may we grow in confidence and love for Our Lady, may we grow in humility, humility, humility, and may we seek that personal holiness, which becomes a light for others to draw near to Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

For an increase in vocations to the consecrated religious life, and that our consecrated religious may continue to be a shining and burning light in the Church.

For those who disbelieve in Our Lady’s role in the Church and plan of God, for increased devotion to Our Lady’s intercession, that we may imitate the love of her Immaculate Heart.

That the young students of our school beginning classes this week may know the love of Christ in their families, that each school family may seek to practice right religion to the honor of God.

For mercy and peace for all those who suffer: for the sick and diseased, for those undergoing surgery this week, for the destitute and despairing, for all victims of war, violence, and abuse, and for those who will die today and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N., for whom this mass is offered.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

December 12 2017 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - The Holy Protection of the Mother of God

In 1531, Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego as Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the image imprinted on his tilma, Our Lady wears a black band around her waste, showing herself to be with child. To the pagan nation of Mexico, Mary revealed herself as a mother: the mother of Christ and their mother as well. Mary would help them break the bond of a false religion which involved the abominable practice of human sacrifice.

For this reason Our Lady of Gaudalupe is invoked as patroness and protector of human life.
The protection Mary offers to those who call her “mother” runs through this feast. The collect spoke of how God has placed us under the protection of the the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe. For nine months, the Christ child grew in the protective womb of Our Lady. From the cross, Jesus taught us to call Mary “Mother”, to seek her maternal protection.

The Vatican II Constitution on the Church, speaks of the ancient devotion to Mary’s protection: “Clearly from earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honored under the title of Mother of God, under whose protection the faithful took refuge in all their dangers and necessities.”

I remember reading a report last year of seven Iraqi Catholic women who claimed Mary protected them from ISIS terrorists. When ISIS soldiers stormed their shelter, they prayed to Our Lady as the hid under beds which were being used by the soldiers. They said, “When ISIS entered our room, they didn’t see us, we feel that the Virgin Mary closed their eyes from seeing us.”

Sometimes it seems that the powers of evil which surround us and conspire against the Church are so cunning and pervasive. Yet, God has not left us unprotected. He has given us such a powerful advocate and protector in Our Lady.

She who was guarded from sin from the moment of her Immaculate Conception throughout her whole life guards her sons and daughters from sin and evil as well. The theologian Richard of St. Lawrence writes: “Mary protects us under the mantle of Her humility.”

And of course, the Memorare written by St. Bernard implores Our Lady’s protection, praying “REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.”

St. Bernard also said: Mary “recognizes and loves those who love Her. And She is ready to help all that call on Her, especially those who resemble Her in chastity and humility.”

May we place ourselves under the protection and guidance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who helps us in remaining faithful to her Son in all things, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring our prayers to God through Mary.

Please respond to the petitions: “Mother of the Redeemer, intercede for us”

That Our Lady may protect the Church from all evil, and aid us in the mission of the Gospel.

That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all people of our nation may work together for and end to the culture of death.

For all mothers, that they may find in Mary the example and strength to carry out their
vocation.

For all refugees forced to flee from their homes, that God bring peace to them and their country of origin.

That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who
intercedes for us from her place in heaven.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.