“God did not tell us follow Him because He needed our help, but because He knew that loving him would make us whole.”
St. Irenaeus of Lyons

For Reflection:
Hidden in this quote by St. Irenaeus is several truths. What do I think is the connection between loving God and following His will? Think about this in terms of love and obedience in all relationships. What do I think is the connection between wholeness and loving God? In light of this, what one concrete resolution am I willing to make today regarding obedience to God?

Prayer for Peace

To Mary, then, who is the Mother of Mercy and omnipotent by
Grace, let loving and devout appeal go up from every corner of the
Earth – from noble temples and tiniest chapels, from royal palaces
and mansions of the rich as from the poorest hut – from
every place wherein a faithful soul finds shelter – from blood-drenched
plains and seas. Let it bear to her the anguished cry of mothers and
wives, the wailing of innocent little ones, the sighs of
every generous heart: that her most tender and benign solicitude may be
moved and the peace we ask for be obtained for our agitated world.
Pope Benedict XV, May 5, 1917 Eight days later, Mary appeared To three children at Fatima, Portugal

For Reflection:
Given the condition of the world today, formulate a prayer in which you entrust to Our Lady those situations, events, or needs that you feel most need her maternal care, love, and intercession.

Her Feet Shod with Holiness

And, if our faith had given us nothing more
Than this Example, of all Womanhood,
So mild, so merciful, so strong, so good,
So patient, so peaceful, loyal, loving, pure –
This were enough to prove it higher and truer
Than all the creeds the world had known before.
Virgin, who lovest the poor and lonely,
If the loud cry of a mother’s heart
Can ever ascend to where thou art,
Into thy blessed hands and holy
Receive my prayer of praise and thanksgiving
Let the hands that bore our Savior bear it
Into the awful presence of God;
For thy feet with holiness are shod,
And, if thou bearest it, he will hear it.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

For Reflection:
What qualities does Longfellow cite that underscore for him why Mary is the “Example of all Womanhood?” Which of these virtues do I most need to acquire? Why does Longfellow say Mary’s prayers are efficacious? Offer a prayer to her for the virtue you have said you need the most. 

“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. Maximilian Kolbe

For Reflection:
To what extent has the Immaculata conquered me? Am I willing to “acknowledge her for what she is,” and submit to her gentle reign?

“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. Maximilian Kolbe

For Reflection:
To what extent has the Immaculata conquered me? Am I willing to “acknowledge her for what she is,” and submit to her gentle reign?