May 28
“How are Catholic women to accomplish their providential role as spiritual mothers (with Mary) of the human race?
They are to know Jesus from daily intimacy with Him in prayer,…Our Lady we may be sure always had Jesus on her mind.”
-Father John Hardon, S.J.
Today's Reflection
Look up the word “providential” in the dictionary. Consider this reality in light of your call to be a spiritual mother in our day and time? What about you would make it so? (Think of your gifts and talents, your background and experience, your hopes and dreams, your successes and failures.)
To what extent do you always have Jesus on your mind? Why do you think daily intimacy with Jesus through prayer is fundamental to live out your providential role as spiritual mother with Mary?
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May 27
“The apostolate of women in the modern world is not a moral option. It is a mandate… Today’s Church needs miracles of conversion, repentance, and the miracles will take place, provided women do their part, through Mary, and in Jesus and with a woman’s selfless love.”
-Father John A. Hardon, S.J.
Today's Reflection:
These are strong words. What response do they solicit in you? Name some of the ways in which you think the Church needs miracles of conversion? Note that Father Hardon says the miracles will take place, but it depends on women. Why do you think this is so? In the next three Grace Lines, Father Hardon will show how this can be accomplished.
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May 26
“Women must restore to political and professional life the emphasis on the spiritual, an emphasis so sadly lacking; we rely on them to help with the spiritual battle against the evils of secularism.”
-Richard Cardinal Cushing
Today's Reflection:
Note the use of the word “must.” To what extent does this motivate a deeper understanding of your personal mission in this our day and time. How can you begin to work to restore an emphasis on the things of God in your sphere of influence? What one step can you take today?
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May 25
“To bring about his salvation, all man has to contribute is his readiness to give himself up completely. The receptive, passive attitude of the feminine principle appears as the decisive, the positive element in the Christian order of grace. The Marian dogma, brought down to a simple formula, means the co-operation of the creature in the salvation of the world.”
-Gertrud von le Fort
Today's Reflection
Consider the first statement in this quote from Gertrud von le Fort. On a scale of 1 - 10, how do I rank my readiness with 1 being “Not Ready At All," and 10 being “Out-The-Door.” What holds me back; what causes me to press forward? What is defined here as the “feminine principle” and why do you think it is the “decisive, the positive element of the Christian order of grace”? Contemplate this in light of Our Lady. After reading the last statement, ask “To what extent am I molded in the Marian dogma?”
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May 24
“Amidst this pitched battle between darkness and light it is woman’s specific calling to restore the right balance which is a prerequisite of all stability.”
-Placid Jordon, O.S.B.
Look again at yesterday’s Grace Line. Why do you think it is woman’s “specific calling to restore the right balance which is the prerequisite of all stability”? Consider this in light of Mary. Since you are a woman, substitute your name for “woman.” How does this substitution make a difference in the way you receive this statement? How can you begin to “restore a right balance” today?
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May 23
“…I am confident that the Holy Spirit is sending down His gifts of fiery tongues on the Church today – all with the emphasis on the women. He is inspiring them to follow in Mary’s footsteps and do for the beleaguered faithful in our own day what she did for the infant Church in her day…But, I repeat, it will take Mary-like women to achieve this miracle of renovation of the Church of God.”
-Father John A. Hardon, S.J.
Based on this month’s study, what has Mary done for the infant Church and for the Church through the centuries? According to Father Hardon, what is our mission? How does he suggest it will be accomplished? Describe your image of a “Mary-like” woman. How can you cooperate with grace to be molded into this image? Ask Mary to infuse you with the gifts and graces you need – a novena for each perhaps….?
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May 22
“The Immaculata must conquer the whole world for herself, and each individual soul as well, so that she can bring all back to God. This is why we must acknowledge her for what she is, and submit to her reign,
which is all gentleness.”
-St. Maximillian Kolbe
Today's Reflection
Why must Our Lady conquer the whole world? How is this in keeping with her spiritual motherhood? To what extent has she “conquered” you? To what extent have you submitted to her reign?
Consider these questions in light of the progress you have made in the past month. Why do you think submitting to her is necessary for your own spiritual motherhood?
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May 21
“Mary became all to all; to all she offers the bosom of her mercy, that all may receive of it: the slave, his redemption, the infirm, health; the afflicted, comfort; the sinner, pardon; and God, glory – that there should be no one who would not feel her warmth and great affection.”
-St. Bernardine of Siena
Today's Reflection
What do you think it means that Mary “became all to all?” Ponder the phrase “bosom of her mercy.” What images or sentiments does it provoke within you? Why do you think St. Bernardine of Siena uses this descriptive of Mary’s love? According to the descriptions given here, which most describes the way in which Mary has offered you “the bosom of her mercy?” To whom can we offer the “bosom” of our mercy today – slave, infirm, afflicted, sinner, God? How?
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May 20
“Thou, O Lady, teaches us to hope for far greater graces than we deserve, since thou never ceases to dispense graces far, far beyond our merits.”
-St. Idelbert
Today's Reflection
One adage about mercy states that “Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve.” Consider this in light of the above quote and your novena petition. How does the favor you received from God through Our Lady’s intercession increase your hope? Recall another instance or period of time when you received mercy and grace according to this definition. How were graces dispensed far beyond your merits?
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May 19
“As maternal Mediatrix, Mary presents our desires and petitions to Christ, and transmits the divine gifts to us, interceding continually on our behalf.”
-St. John Paul II
Today's Reflection
Today completes your novena of prayer. Journal the insights, inspirations, graces you have received in light of your request. According to this definition for “Mediatrix,” how has Mary been your Mediatrix and your Queen Mother? Consider a most pleasing way to show her your gratitude. What is it?
Follow through.
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