APPARITION of the BLESSED VIRGIN on the Mountain of LA SALETTE the 19th of September, 1846 Our Lady of La Salette Published by the Shepherdess of La SalettewithImprimatur by Mgr. Bishop of Lecce. “Well, my children, you will pass this on to all of my people.” Simple reproduction without commentary or controversy of the original edition of Lecce in 1879. THE APPARITION Only the witness herself, Melanie, can, along with Maximin, give an account of the apparition. After giving it by word of mouth an incalculable number of times, she decided to write it all down in 1878. It was[…]

The name of Mary brings grace, hope, and sweetness to the hearts of men. First fostered in Spain, then invoked against the Turks at Vienna in 1683, this devotion to Mary inspired King John Sobieski of Poland to put the misbelievers to flight, and thus to save Christendom from devastation. Pope Innocent XI extended observance of the feast to the whole Church. By St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, (1696 – 1787), an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, composer, scholastic philosopher, and theologian. Richard of St. Laurence states “there is not such powerful help in any name, nor is there any other[…]

Our Lady of Olives is to be situated within the larger context of the biblical symbolism of the Olive tree. In the Bible, but also in patristic and medieval writings, the olive tree–together with the vine and wheat ears–was considered a symbol of heavenly blessings, prosperity and fecundity in times of peace. The olive tree is also a symbol of spiritual excellence and distinction such as reconciliation with God, rectitude and innocence as well as fruitfulness of good works. This symbolism applied to Mary is a sign of faithful and loving dedication to the Lord but also a symbol of[…]

From “The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin“by Saint Louis-Marie De Montfort. After having explained and condemned false devotions to the Blessed Virgin we shall now briefly describe what true devotion is. It is interior, trustful, holy, constant and disinterested. Marks of Authentic Devotion to Our Lady First, true devotion to our Lady is interior, that is, it comes from within the mind and the heart and follows from the esteem in which we hold her, the high regard we have for her greatness, and the love we bear her.  Second, it is trustful, that is to say, it fills us[…]

On the 41st Rose of The Secret of Rosary St. Louis De Montfort said that one who is in mortal sin and desires not come out of it should not pray the Rosary because the Rosary would become the weapon of destruction instead of help from Mary for that sinner. Clearly, one can pray the rosary and wear the brown scapular without being a good Catholic. These devotions are powerful means of grace even in the hands of obstinate sinners, but it would be presumptuous to lead a bad life and expect to be saved.  St. Louis De Montfort further highlights that[…]

O Virgin, full of every grace, wholly radiant and serene! You are the sacred and blessed resting place for the Son of God, resplendent in gold and dazzling in loveliness and glory! In the first place in your magnificent crown I shall place a topaz, excelling the sparkle of all other stones. This I do hoping to reflect the praise and glory of your singular excellence. This topaz is well suited to be an ornament of your crown, O most sweet Mistress; for just as you excel all women in the beauty of your flesh, so also you surpass all[…]

O Exalted Queen of Heaven,Supreme Mistress of the Angels,who from the beginning has received from God the power and the commission to crush the serpent’s head,we pray thee humbly, send down the Holy Legions,that they, under thy command and power,may pursue the spirits of Hell,everywhere wage war against them,defeat their boldness and thrust them into the abyss of Hell.“Who is like unto God?”“Holy Angels and Archangels defend us and protect us!”“O kind and tender Mother, thou shalt ever remain ourlove and our hope.”Amen. Given by Mary to a Bernardine Sister approximately 1937 and urged fervently by Our Lady to be[…]

St. Bonaventure’s THE PSALTER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, is among the very finest and most beloved of these ancient Marian Devotions. When prayed daily with an open heart, these Psalms have tremendous power to illumine the spirit of every Christian. In his Holy Rule, Saint Benedict arranged the Old Testament Psalms for his monks so that all 150 could be recited in one week. Benedict’s tradition was to assign specific psalms to specific hours of the day or night. This became the Divine Office, or “Breviary,” that priests and religious around the world have prayed daily for centuries. Around[…]

On September 14, in 335, took place the dedication of Constantine’s basilica, which enclosed both Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre. “At this date,” says Etheria, “the cross was discovered. And the anniversary is celebrated with as much solemnity as Easter or the Epiphany.” Such was the origin of the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. “When I shall be raised on high, I shall draw everything unto Me” (Gospel), Jesus has said. It is because of the Saviour humbled Himself, being obedient even to the death of the cross, that God exalted Him and gave Him a name above[…]

Prayer of Blessing Against Storms (where you see the cross, make the Sign of the Cross) Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace. ✞ God became man, ✞ and the Word was made flesh. ✞ Christ was born of a virgin. ✞ Christ suffered. ✞ Christ was crucified. ✞ Christ died. ✞ Christ rose from the dead. ✞ Christ ascended into Heaven. ✞ Christ conquers. ✞ Christ reigns. ✞ Christ orders. ✞ May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning. ✞ Christ went through their midst in Peace, ✞ and the Word was made Flesh. ✞[…]

In every Solemn Mass besides the Mass of requiem, and only in the Solemn Mass, the altar is incensed before the Introït. God himself commanded incense (thus or thymiama, from the Greek) to be used in his cult: “Thou shalt make an altar for burning incense… and Aaron shall burn sweet-smelling incense upon it in the morning.” (Exodus 30: 1, 7) The Magi offered incense to Christ the Lord. By Apostolic institution, the Church of Christ has always used the burning of incense to solemnify her worship of God. (Cardinal Bona and others) The burning of incense signifies, by the[…]