Marian Monday Vol. 20

If you didn't get a chance to read what the Holy Father had to say about Our Lady, then you should check this out: http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-mary-give-us-the-grace-to-be-signs-an

Marian Monday XIX

I'm starting to believe that if it wasn't for Marian Mondays, I probably would have completely halted (at least indefinitely) on blogging. However, even if it does appear to be "just another link up", the fact that Kinsi and I committed to this keeps my mind thinking of Our Lady during the week. 

I was a bit emotional during Mass this morning. I'm not sure what got into me. Perhaps it was the Homily. Or maybe because it's May, the month of Our Lady. I think I realized that California is actually overwhelming me more than I had originally thought. Allow me to explain: 

Today during Mass, as I was wrangling the children solo today due to my hubby's work, the nursery coordinator said that she didn't have anyone on staff today. "Great!" I sarcastically thought. Sometimes the kids are absolutely fantastic during Mass, but it's usually when I am emotionally and mentally prepared for it. Today, I was not. So here I am in the 3rd pew with my almost 3 year old son with his 2 favorite wind-up toys in hand and my just-now-walking 1 year old daughter. As my son held his toys and my daughter is doing acrobatics around me, the strict father in the pew in front of us (I say this b/c we have sat behind them a few times) was obviously starting to boil since his small children were very enamored by my son's toys instead of attentively clasping their hands in prayer as he always fusses them to do every Sunday.

"Don't let those children distract you..." he said to his children.

Was I instantly embarrassed? Yes. Did I become self-conscious? Yes. Did I feel like a bad Catholic parent? Yes. Did I question his intentions of his clearly audible statement? Oh yes.

It wasn't before long that my son started to whine... loudly... in the sanctuary... in which we had to exit... the building, mind you, because our new parish asks that you exit the church when your children get loud since there is not real lobby. Then it started to rain as I stood outside with the children. I felt like this morning couldn't go more wrong.

Thankfully, a volunteer showed up for the nursery, so I dropped off my children in time for the Homily. It was about Our Lady and the month of May. It had occurred to me as I was starting to calm down from my chaotic first half of the Mass that I have been detached from the Lord more so lately because I have been so consumed with trying to please those around me in my new West Coast life... whether it be other people at church... or California suburbia moms during playdates. It hit me hard and I couldn't help by just cry tears of shame and repentance.

The need to be accepted and liked by others... or even perceived in a good & respected light.. can be so consuming and so binding. How easily I forget that true freedom and joy can only be found in Our Lord! Clearly, I need to cling to Our Lady daily in order to stay focused on who I truly need to please who is God.

Therefore, this is my intention during this month of Our Lady... may I keep my eyes fixed on Him by the Blessed Virgin's faithful intercession.

Do you have any intentions this month?

Marian Monday XVIII

By the time you read this, I'll be on a "TechnoFast" until May 5. It's a challenge that Bill Donaghy has been recently sharing and inviting others online in which he and his students will participate in as well. You can read more about it on his twitter if you would like to join: https://twitter.com/BillDonaghy. I realize that I haven't been keeping up with my blog as much as lately, but my Instagram is certainly updated often.

Today, I wanted to share the Collect from this past Sunday's Mass:

Sometimes for me the greatest challenge of striving to be one with the Will of God is that events in our earthly life always change: environment, relationships, health, etc. I don't know what Our Lady would consider as "change" from the duration of her earthly life, but it does provide some sort of consolation that to be fixed on the will of God will always be where we can find joy despite what might happen in our days.

 

Marian Monday XVII

source

Life is still a little crazy with trying to get our home organized here from post-moving (Seriously, when do I not say that life isn't just a little crazy?!). So, I have been absolutely awful at replying to emails and comments. I do hope all is well with everyone this Eastertide though. I hope to catch up on everyone's blogs soon enough. Before I take away from this beautiful quote, without further ado... 

"In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal." -- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Marian Mondays XVI

I have to admit that on my Forever To-Do List is to renew my consecration to Our Lady. It's been a few years since I made my initial consecration. Actually, it was in the same month John Paul II passed away. That is part of the reason why I will always remember it especially since he had great devotion to Mary.

John Paul II once said this about Marian Devotion:

“Our entire perfection consists in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ. Hence the most perfect of all devotions is undoubtedly that which conforms, unites and consecrates us most perfectly to Jesus Christ.

Now, since Mary is of all creatures the one most conformed to Jesus Christ, it follows that among all devotions that which most consecrates and conforms a soul to our Lord is devotion to Mary, his Holy Mother, and that the more a soul is consecrated to her the more will it be consecrated to Jesus Christ."^[2]

The Total Consecration to Mary was introduced by Saint Louis de Montfort in the early part of the 18th century. "The heart of Saint Louis de Montfort's classic work True Devotion to Mary is a formal act of consecration to Mary, so through her, one can be consecrated to Christ."  I used a little brown book for the prayers, but I have always seen the text online at no cost (i.e. http://www.fisheaters.com/totalconsecrationmontfort.html, http://totalconsecration.ageofmary.com)

Therefore, if you are in search of a profound way to get closer to Our Lady, I definitely recommend the Total Consecration to Mary. Also if you are reading this, please say a prayer for me that I will finally stop making excuses and renew my consecration!