My soul magnifies the Lord

May 7
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
  • Luke 1:46-55 (RSV)
Today’s Reflection:
God has chosen for us to be the “perfect” women of our day and age. If we desire to fulfill the plan of God for us then we too must seek after holiness. Our hearts must be set upon the higher things–upon holiness and truth, grace and obedience, commitment and love. Thus, full of grace, we will radiate the splendor of the Bridegroom’s love to His people.
Today, how is God calling me to seek after holiness? Where do I struggle with setting my heart upon the higher things?
  

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Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord

May 6
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
-Luke 1:38
Today’s Reflection:
In a certain sense, God extends the call He issued to Mary to each of us. Will you bring my Son into the world? Will you carry Him in the womb of your heart as Mary carried Him in the womb of her body? Will you birth Him into the lives of others, that all might come to experience the grace of redemption and eternal life? Will you be a spiritual mother to all of those I place in your care?
  

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Reconcile men with life

May 5
“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.”
-To Women, Vatican Council II Closing Speeches and Messages, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
What does it mean to “reconcile men with life?” How do you think this applies to your spiritual maternity? How are you doing in this regard?
  

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The Soul of Woman

May 4
“The soul of a woman must…be expansive and open to all human beings; it must be quiet, so that no small weak flame will be extinguished by stormy winds; warm, so as not to benumb fragile buds; clear, so that no vermin will settle in dark corners and recesses; self-contained, so that no invasions from without can peril the inner life; empty of itself, in order that extraneous life may have room in it; finally, mistress of itself, and also of its body, so that the entire person is readily at the disposal of every call.”
– St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Today’s Reflection:
Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, woman is called to receive the life of God within her through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that she becomes a channel through which love enters the world. A love truly able to aid humanity in not falling. Like our Blessed Mother we must bring God’s word to His people, intercede before God’s throne for the sake of the world, and unite our sufferings to the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. By so doing, we give birth to God’s life in others and thus fulfill our divine mission of spiritual motherhood. This call is not for the fainthearted, but for women of courage, faith, perseverance, and hope.
In rereading that last line, how is God calling you to be a person of “courage, faith, perseverance, and hope” in order to bring God to others?
  

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God needs spiritual mothers

May 3
“God needs spiritual mothers — women who can “mother”
unmothered children.
-Dale O’Leary
Today’s Reflection:
Who has God placed in your path to mother?
  

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The hour is coming

May 2
“The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect, and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation,
women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid
humanity in not falling.”
-Closing Message, To Women,
Second Vatican Council
Today’s Reflection:
What characteristic will help woman aid humanity in not falling?
  

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Be Valiant

May 1
“Between women and God is often arranged the eternal salvation of husbands and sons. But for this she must be valiant.”
-Madeline Sophie Barat
Today’s Reflection:
How can I become a more valiant woman?
  

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O Lord

April 30
Feast of St. Pius V (1504 – 1572)
“O Lord, increase my sufferings and my patience.”
-Dying words of St. Pius V
Today’s Reflection
Do I have the courage pray this prayer? Why or why not? What virtue do I most need to acquire to do so?
  

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Eternal Trinity

April 29
St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
“Eternal Trinity, Godhead, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For you are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, You are a fire that takes away coldness, illuminates the mind with its light, and causes me to know Your truth. You are beauty and wisdom itself. “
-Adapted from a prayer of St. Catherine of Siena
Today’s Reflection
Today, I will take a few moments to meditate on this prayer of St. Catherine and see what the Lord speaks to me through it.
  

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The greatest saints

April 28
Feast of St. Louis de Montfort (1673-1716)
“The greatest saints, the souls richest in graces and virtues, shall be the most assiduous in praying to our Blessed Lady, and in having her always present as their perfect model for imitation and their powerful aid for help.”
-St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary
Today’s Reflection
According to St. Louis de Montfort, how rich in grace and virtue might my soul be? To what extent can I increase my devotion to the Blessed Mother and her intercession?
  

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