The Visitation of Mary

Today May 31st we celebrate the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.

Visitation means "to visit." The Archangel Gabriel told the Blessed Virgin Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby boy in her old age. Mary loved Elizabeth very much and knew she could use some help. So she set out at once to visit Elizabeth.

Mary was also expecting a baby, the baby Jesus! The trip into the hill country where Elizabeth lived was long, dangerous and uncomfortable. But that did not stop Mary and she rode there on a donkey, as that was the best way to travel in the hill country.

Mary reached her cousin's house and greeted Elizabeth. At that moment, the Holy Spirit revealed to Elizabeth that Mary had become the mother of God our Savior.

Elizabeth asked joyfully, "How have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" Mary was not boastful or proud of this great honor, but remained humble and quickly gave all the credit to God. He had blessed her so richly.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior," she said. "For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid, and holy is his name."

What graces the Blessed Mother brought to the home of her cousin! Saint John the Baptist, while still hidden in his mother's womb, was cleansed of original sin. His father Zachary who had lost his voice, was able to speak again. Saint Elizabeth was filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Mary stayed three months at her cousin's home. With great kindness and love, she helped Elizabeth.

The Regina Caeli

We say this prayer in place of the Angelus during Easter time.

Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia.
For he whom you deserved to bear, Alleluia
Has risen as he said. Alleluia.
Pray for us to God. Alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O virgin Mary. Alleluia
For the Lord is truly risen. Alleluia

Let us pray

O God, who by the Resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant, we beg you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.

O Virgin Mary

O Virgin Mary, My Mother, I give to your Immaculate Heart, my body and my soul, my thoughts and my actions.

I want to be what you want me to be, and do just what you want me to do.

I am not afraid because you are always with me. Help me to love your Son Jesus, with all my heart and above all things.

Take my hand in yours so I can always be with you.

Amen

CROWN OF EXCELLENCE

To honor the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin, her ineffable Virginity,
her purity without stain and her innumerable virtues

****************************************

Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the
Lord, the Creator of the world; thou didst give birth to Him Who
made thee, and remainest a Virgin forever.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!

Hail Mary


O holy and immaculate Virgin, I know not with what
praise to extol thee, since thou didst bear in thy womb the very
One Whom the Heavens cannot contain.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!

Hail Mary

Thou are all fair, O Virgin Mary, and there is no stain in thee.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!

Hail Mary

Thy virtues, O Virgin, surpass the stars in number.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!

Glory be

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Mary My Mother

O Virgin Mother Mary,
help me to Heaven above.
Mother of Jesus, keep me
always as thy loving child.
Sweet Mother Mary,
keep me in thy care.

Amen.

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Our Lady of Fatima

In the year 1917 our Lady appeared before three shepherd children, they were Lucia dos Santos, Jacinta Marto and her brother Francisco.


The children were very shocked and a little scared when they heard a clap of thunder and saw an Angel appear to them. The three children fell to the ground in adoration, the Angel told them that the Blessed Virgin Mary would visit them soon and they must be good!


The Blessed Virgin Mary did appear to the three children and gave them three important messages, but the most important message that our Lady gave to the children was to love God, to be good and to offer penance for the souls of great sinners.


The Blessed Mother told the children that if people did not live good lives this would make God angry and the way to soften God's anger was to do acts of penance for the sins of the world.


Even though our Lady appeared many years ago, the message is still very important and even now we can all do what our Lady asked the three children.


To offer penance to God makes Him very happy, we can offer up little sacrifices by denying ourselves what we love best. For an example one night a week you may wish to not have dessert and offer this as penance to God, who loves all of His children.


Offering up little sacrifices or penances also helps us to become holy and this makes God very happy with us. It is also a good thing to pray for souls and for peace to come to the world.


The real message of Fatima is to love God and to be obedient to His Commandments as you go to Mass each week to worship God with your heart and mind.


Just like us, God also longs to be loved by you, we can show Him our love by praying to Him and telling God how much we love Him. This makes God very happy.


Copyright © 2006 Steve Smith. All Rights Reserved.

The Fifth Glorious Mystery- The Coronation

As Mary enters heaven, the entire court of heaven greets with joy this masterpiece of God's creation. Mary is crowned by her divine Son as Queen of heaven and earth.

More than we can ever know the Hearts of Jesus and Mary overflow with joy at this reunion. Only in heaven will we know the great majesty of that coronation, and the joy it gave to the Angels and Saints.

Mary shares fully in the glory of Christ because she shared fully in His suffering. Only in heaven will we see how central is the role of Mary in the divine plan of redemption.


The Angels and Saints longed for the coming of her whose heel crushes the head of the serpent. Mary pleads our cause as a most powerful Queen and a most merciful and loving Mother. A great sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

1. All of heaven greets Mary with joy as she enters.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

2. Jesus crowns Mary the Queen of heaven and earth.
Hail Mary…

3. More than we can ever know, the Hearts of Jesus and Mary overflow with joy at this reunion.
Hail Mary…

4. Only in heaven will we know how happy all the angels and saints were.
Hail Mary …

5. Even the angels serve Mary as their Queen.
Hail Mary …

6. Mary shares as fully in the glory of Jesus as she shared in his suffering.
Hail Mary…

7. From heaven, Our Mother gives us love and peace.
Hail Mary …

8. Jesus gave His mother, Mary, to be our Mother.
Hail Mary …

9. Our Mother, Mary, prays for us .
Hail Mary…

10. Together again, Jesus and Mary.
Hail Mary…


Glory Be To The Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy.
Amen.

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The Fourth Glorious Mystery- The Assumption Of Mary Into Heaven

The Apostles now strengthened and empowered go out to foreign lands to preach and teach what Jesus taught them. Our Blessed Mother goes to live with John, the beloved disciple. Mary lives many years on earth after the death of Christ.

She is a source of comfort, consolation and strength to the apostles. As she had nourished the infant Jesus, so she nourishes spiritually the infant Church.

Mary dies, not of bodily sickness, but is consumed in a mystical sea of divine love. Her body as well as her soul is taken up into heaven.

After her burial the Apostles go to the tomb and find only fragrant lilies. Jesus does not permit the sinless body of His Mother to decay in the grave.

Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

1. Our Blessed Mother goes to live with John, as her Son had asked.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.Amen

2. Mary lives many years on earth after the death of Jesus.
Hail Mary …

3. She offers comfort and strength to the apostles.
Hail Mary…

4. She prays for the them and the new church that is being started.
Hail Mary…

5. Naturally, they are sad at the thought of losing their mother.
Hail Mary…

6. They will miss her a lot.
Hail Mary…

7. They lay her in the tomb.
Hail Mary…

8. The apostles go to the tomb later and find only lilies.
Hail Mary …

9. Joyously they realize that Jesus would not permit His Holy Mother's body to lay in the tomb.
Hail Mary …

10. He has assumed her body as well as her soul into heaven to be with Him.
Hail Mary…

Glory Be To The Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy.
Amen.

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The Third Glorious Mystery- The Descent Of The Holy Spirit

The Apostles are gathered in the upper room where Jesus had held the Last Supper. They are persevering in prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus. A sound comes from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it fills the whole house. The Holy Spirit descends on each of them in the form of tongues of fire.

Filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are enlightened and strengthened to spread the gospel.

Having lost all fear of the Jewish leaders, the Apostles boldly preach Christ crucified.

The people are very surprised because every man hears them speak in his own tongue.

The Holy Spirit comes upon the Infant Church never to leave it. That first day Peter goes forth to preach and baptizes three thousand. The feast of Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, for on that day it begins to grow.

Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. Amen.

1. Jesus told the apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit to come to them.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

2. They go in the room where Jesus held the last supper.
Hail Mary…

3. The apostles and Mary wait for the Holy Sprit to come to them.
Hail Mary…

4. They wait for nine days praying the whole time
Hail Mary…

5. A sound comes from heaven like the rush of wind, and it fills the whole house.
Hail Mary...

6. The Holy Spirit descends on each of them.
Hail Mary…

7. Filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are enlightened and strengthened to spread the gospel.
Hail Mary…

8. No matter what the language was, each man hears them speak in his own language.
Hail Mary…

9. The Holy Spirit comes upon the new Church never to leave it.
Hail Mary…

10. The first day Peter preaches, he baptizes three thousand.
Hail Mary…

Glory Be To The Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy.
Amen.

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