May 2
“Tradition ascribes to Mary the titles Mother of Divine Grace, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of Mercy… God has chosen her to be treasurer and dispensatrix of all His graces.. . . Since Mary has formed the Head of the predestined, Jesus Christ, it pertains to her to form also the members of the Head, who are the true Christians . . . She has received from God a special power to nourish souls and to make them grow in Him. St. Augustine goes so far as to say that the predestined in this world are enclosed in Mary;s womb and that they come to the light only when their good Mother brings them forth to eternal life. It is to her that the Holy Ghost has said; 'Take root in my elect' (Eccl. xxiv, 13) ---- roots of profound humility, of ardent charity and of all the virtues.”
-Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.
Read the rest
May 1
“The Blessed Virgin … as Mother of the divine Redeemer here on earth, above all others and in a singular way was the generous associate and humble handmaid of the Lord. She conceived, brought forth, and nourished Christ, she presented him to the Father in the temple, shared her Son’s sufferings as He died on the cross. Thus in a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity, in the work of the Savior, in restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace.”
- Documents of Vatican II LumenGentium, 61
Read the rest
May 31
“Reconcile men with life and above all, we beseech you, watch carefully over the future of our race. Hold back the hand of man, who, in a moment of folly, might attempt to destroy human civilization…Women of the entire universe…you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.”
-Documents of Vatican II Closing Speeches, “To Women”