August 7 The Relic of Our Lady (Chartres, France)

Our Lady, Protector of the Faith

Mary Garden, statue

Basilica of the National Shrine, Wash., DC

Relic of Our Lady's veil

Chartres Cathedral, France

The "Voile de la Vierge" (Veil of the Blessed Virgin) is said to be the veil which would have wrapped Jesus at his birth. It was given to Charlemagne by Constantine Porphyrogenitus and Irene andtransferred about 876 by Charles the Bald from Aachen to Chartres and has remained at the Cathedral ever since. Many pilgrims have come to Chartres to pray to Jesus and Mary.

Beautiful video of Chartres - listen to the bells

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcQFx0_IU78

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBCqC_lUN-E&NR=1&feature=fvwp

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Flower of the Day

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officianalis

Symbolizes Our Lady's Veil color

Rosemary is a fragrant herb which looks beautiful along the borders of a Mary Garden. Legend says the blue flowers took their colour from Mary's veil when she spread it over a rosemary bush to dry in the sun.

The Veil

The Veil takes its name from the Veil of the Temple which was torn in two at the moment of Christ's death upon the cross. (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45) The rending of the veil therefore speaks of the end of a formal separation between creature and Creator, a separation signified by the veil (or vail) of the temple, which stood before the Holy of Holies, the place of the Divine Indwelling (shekinah). Now not just the High Priest but the whole of humanity is called into this indwelling, "to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh" (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Read some interesting articles on the veil and it's tradition: http://www.fisheaters.com/theveil.html (veiling) http://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/d005rpVeil_1_Goodman.htm http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2007/12/chapel-veil-campaign.html

Ave Maria!

August 6

Feast of the Transfiguration

Our Lady of Mercy, Italy

The Transfiguration by Fra. Angelico

Evening Prayers (Vespers) on the Feast of the Transfiguration

Christ, by being transfigured you revealed the resurrection to your disciples before the passion had even taken place. We pray to you for your holy Church, labouring to serve the needs of the world:in her tribulations may she be constantly transfigured by joy at your victory.– Lighten our darkness, for you are our God.

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Flower of the Day

Flower of Jesus

Laelia

Laelia speciosa

(Laelia is in the orchid family)

Ave Maria!

August 5

Our Lady of the Snows

Miracle of the Snows

Devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Snows is one of the oldest devotions to Mary.

On August 5, 352 A.D., a hot morning in Rome at Esquiline Hill was found covered with snow.

Mary had indicated in a dream to a wealthy Roman couple that she wanted a church built in her honor and they would know the location for the church by where the snow fell. All of Rome proclaimed the summer snow miraculous and in 358 A.D. a church was built on this very hill to honor Our Lady. It is now the beautiful Basilica St. Mary Major and is the center for devotion to Our Lady of the Snows in the Catholic Church. Devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Snows is one of the oldest devotions to Mary.

see this lovely video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO-8Hk7ffjU

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Flower of the Day

Snow Drop

Galanthus nivalus

Symbolizes Hope - Mary's Bells

Snowdrops was generally the first flower to bloom in the winter and brought with it hope of spring in what seemed to be an unending winter.

"Candlemas Bells" or "Purification Flowers"

These flowers are said to have bloomed on Candlemas or Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, February 2, now designated as the Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple.

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In the evening of August 5, the feast of Our Lady of the Snow, as I knelt in my room, Our Lady spoke to me about the Diving Indwelling. It was her life and she lived it perfectly, always conscious of His presence, never forgetting that all her greatness came from within, from Him Who dwelt there, working, loving, and doing good through her. This is what Our Lady means when she speaks of reformation, renewal. It is this about which she is so concerned, namely, sanctification from within. Our Lady of America messages, 1957

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Ave Maria!

August 3

August 3 - Our Lady of Bows (London, 1071)

Sweet Mary

Mildness is the flower of charity, a participation in that infinite sweetness with whom God guides and governs all things. (Divine Intimacy)

"Whenever anyone exasperates you, even to the point of making you angry, the way to regain peace of soul is to pray for that person and ask God to reward her for giving you an opportunity to suffer. "-- St. Therese of the Child Jesus taught a novice

"For those who depise me or murmur against me, teach me to reply with humility, mildness, and a steadfast kindness of heart, never defending myself in any way. For love of You, I desire to let everyone say what he wishes, because words are not of value but love is, he who loves more will be more loved and glorified. Help me, then, my Jesus, to love You; help me to love creatures for love of You, especially those who despise me, without letting myself be disturbed by their contempt, but applying myself to the practice of humility and mildness, then You will be my reward. "Teach me to comport myself always with mildness and sweetness, and never to distrupt peace with anyone. All that I can do - obtain with love I will do, but what I cannot do or procure without a dispute, I will let it be. Help me to make use of the repugnances and aversions I encounter in my contacts with others to practice the virtue of mildness, and to show myself loving with all, even with those who are opposed to me, or who are a cause of aversion. --St. Francis de Sales

Flower of the Day

Lemon Balm (herb)

Melissa officinalis

Symbolizes Sweet Mary

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) a Marian herb in the mint family was known in medieval Mary gardens as "Sweet Mary." It is mild like Our Lady, has a lovely fragrance to help us remind us of her presence in our life.

Lemon balm has a strong history in Catholic religious settings.

In the ninth century, the first Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne thought Melissa (Lemon Balm) so beautiful and so valuable to the health of his subjects that he ordered it planted in all monastery gardens. Benedictine monks later shipped the herb to other regions…

It is the principal ingredient in Carmelite Water or “Eau de Melisse de Carmes” prepared by the Carmelite order as a restorative beginning in the 12th century used both medicinally, and externally as a perfume or Eau de Toilette. King Charles V of France (ruled 1364-1380) reportedly drank lemon balm tisane daily.

In Normandy, France during the 16th century Dom Bernardo Vincelli, a monk at the Benedictine Abbey of Fecamp used Lemon Balm as an ingredient in the liquor, Benedictine.

Ave Maria!

http://www.thechildrenofmary.com/

August 2

Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula Feast

Vision of St. Francis

Our Lady Queen of the Seraphic Order

The "Portiuncula" of Our Lady of the Angels

replica at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC

The Seraphic Father, St. Francis received his call to start the Order of Friars Minor in Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels also known as the Portiuncula in Assisi, Italy. St. Francis had a great devotion to the Queen of the world, he heard that the Angels often visited the church which is why it is called Our Lady of the Angels.

St. Francis' Prayer to the Mother of God

Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen, Mother of God, Mary who art ever Virgin, chosen from Heaven by the most Holy Father, whom He has consecrated with the most holy beloved Son and the Ghostly Paraclete, in whom was and is all the fulness of grace and all good. Hail, thou His palace! Hail, thou His tabernacle! Hail thou His house. Hail, thou His garment! Hail thou His handmaid! Hail thou His Mother and all ye holy virtues which by grace and illumination of the Holy Ghost thou infusest in the heart of the faithful, that from infidels ye mayest make them faithful to God.

-- St. Francis of Assisi

Flower of the Day

Statue of St. Francis with canine companions

Franciscan Monastery gardens, Washington, DC

Peonies

Our Lady's Roses

Symbolizes Compassion and Happy Marriage

Ave Maria!

July 31

Feast of Our Lady of Slain (Lorban, Portugal)

Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola (d. 1556) founder of the Jesuits

Chapel of Our Lady of Slain, Portugal

The chapel was built in 1602 to replace the original dating back to very ancient times. It is closely linked to the legend of Abbot John of Lorvao. It is octagonal shaped and the interior has beautiful paintings representing abbot John.

Prayer - by Saint Ignatius of Loyola

O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things.

Flower of the Day

Lavender

Lavendula

Symbolizes Flight into Egypt

Lavender is called Mary's Drying Plant. After Mary laid Jesus' clothes on the lavender plant to dry it received it's scent. Lavender is the National Flower of Portugal, it is a wild flower and there are many in Ireland as well, especially at the Mary Garden in Knock.

Ave Maria!

July 30

Our Lady of Gray (near Besançon, France, 1602) Feast of Mary, Promoter of Peace in Puy, France.

Miraculous Statue of Notre Dame Le Puy

(see the infant Jesus peeking through Our Lady's garments)

As for the first actual sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary renowned in Gaul was built in the fifth century, in the city of the Puy en Velay. The story has it that an ailing woman who was praying to the Mother of Christ was led by an angel to the top of one of the highest hills in the city. At this site, in response to her prayers, Mary appeared and the woman was cured. The St Mary's Chapel still sits on the spot of the miracle. In fact the city was initially named “Le Puy Marie”. Today the shrine of Our Lady of the Puy is among the most visited sites of pilgrimage in France. (from Marie de Nazareth)

Shrine and Cathedral Notre Dame Le Puy site:

http://www.villes-sanctuaires.com/anglais/puy_en_velay_histoire.htm http://www.villes-sanctuaires.com/anglais/puy_en_velay_pelerinage.htm

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Flower of the Day

Peace Lily

Symbolizes Mary's Divine Maternity - Virgin and Child

This beautiful prayer to Our Lady of Fatima recalls the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children on a hillside outside Fatima, Portugal, between May 13 and October 13, 1917. In it, we ask Our Lady of Fatima to bring peace to our nation and to the whole world through a spiritual revival.

Prayer To Our Lady of Fatima

Queen of the Rosary, sweet Virgin of Fatima, who hast deigned to appear in the land of Portugal and hast brought peace, both interior and exterior, to that once so troubled country, we beg of thee to watch over our dear homeland and to assure its moral and spiritual revival. Bring back peace to all nations of the world, so that all, and our own nation in particular, may be happy to call thee their Queen and the Queen of Peace. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for our country. Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for all humanity a durable peace. Amen.

Pray the rosary everyday!

Official Fatima website:

http://www.santuario-fatima.pt/portal/index.php?lang=EN

Ave Maria!

july 29

July 29

Council of Trent confirmed the decrees pertaining to the Immaculate Conception 1546

Our Lady of Lourdes

In 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette saying "I am the Immaculate Conception" A golden rose adorned each of her bare feet. Official Lourdes website http://www.lourdes-france.org/index.php?goto_centre=ru&contexte=en&id=405

Golden Rose St. Ann's Park, Dublin, Ireland Pope Benedict XVI bestowed the Golden Rose upon the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception during his apostolic pilgrimate to America in 2008.

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"I am pleased, my child, with the love and honor my children in America give to me, especially through my glorious and unique privilege of the Immaculate Conception. I promise to reward their love by working through the power of my Son's Heart and my Immaculate Heart miracles of grace among them. I do not promise miracles of the body, but of the soul." --Our Lady of America, September 25, 1956

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Flower of the Day

Yellow Flag Iris

Iris pseudocorus

Fleur-de-lis of French royalty, Mary as Queen, the Immaculate Conception

Ave Maria!

July 28

Victory over the Turks by the Knights of Rhodes in 1480 through Our Lady’s intercession Our Lady of Faith (at Gravelines, NW of France) The Virgin of Smolensk Hodegetria

Our Lady of Smolensk

Hodegetria, literally means: "She who shows the way." The Virgin of Smolensk is the patroness of icon-painters; liturgically she is commemorated in Russia on July 28. The title distinguishes a large class of icons of Mary the Mother of God holding the Child Jesus at her side while she points to him as the source of salvation for mankind. An icon of this type (perhaps by Saint Luke) is said to have been sent from Jerusalem to Constantinople in the 11th century, where it was enshrined and became a palladium of the city and was associated with many events in its history. After the fall of Constantinople, many Russians believe that the icon surfaced in Russia, where it was placed in the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk. One such relic of 'Our Lady of Smolensk' was carried with the Russian Army at the Battle of Borodino in 1812. This miraculous icon was destroyed by fire during the German occupation of Smolensk in 1941. St Alphonse de Liguori Les Gloires de Marie - St Paul 1997

Flower of the Day

Chamomile

Anthemis cotula

Symbolizes- Maiden Weed

Chamomile is the National Flower of Russia and is an herb that has healing qualities that is often used in Mary Gardens. It is a wild flower and is used at the Mary Garden at Our Lady of Knock Shrine in Ireland. We use it for tea too!

Prayer for Healing

Mary, you have given yourself to us as Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. You have asked us to pray with confidence, and that will receive great graces. We know your compassion because you saw your Son suffer and die for us. In your union with his suffering you became the mother of us all. Mary, my mother, teach me to understand my suffering as you do and to endure it in union with the suffering of Jesus. In your motherly love, calm my fears and increase my trust in God's loving care. According to God's plan, obtain for me the healing I need. Intercede with your Son that I may have the strength I need to work for God's glory and the salvation of the world. Amen. Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us.

See this beautiful video of Our Lady of Lourdes with Pope Benedict XVI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng4TTl-RRtc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rToOqV3zUM

Ave Maria!

July 26

Feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim

St. Joachim and St. Anne with Mary

Today is the feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim. They were the parents of Mary's and Jesus's grandmother and grandfather.

2009 prayer

Grandmother Saint Anne, you have always unconditionally welcomed all people who have confided in you. We come before you today with divisions of all kinds in our families, in our communities, in our country, and in our world. We long to say “Let us be reconciled”, however we cannot achieve this on our own.

Help us obtain from your Grandson Jesus the grace of peace and reconciliation for our broken hearts, as well as for our entire world.

Come to our aid so that we may say, with complete sincerity, “Let us be reconciled”. Good Saint Anne, pray for us. Réal Gingras, C.Ss.R (January 27, 2009)

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Flower of the Day

Yucca

Ivory Tower

Symbolizes the Immaculate Conception

Mary was conceived free from sin in the womb of St. Anne, that is why she is called The Immaculate Conception.

Shrine of Ste Anne de Beaupre http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ssadb.qc.ca/images/5_2_basilique/chapelle_ste_anne.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ssadb.qc.ca/eng/2_5_relics.htm&usg=__D0fsblbxBzsZdmC9gRWpkU3sr1M=&h=576&w=524&sz=116&hl=en&start=57&um=1&tbnid=Bad_Gl4QlSuwhM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dst.%2Banne%2Bde%2Bbeaupre%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLJ_enUS301US301%26sa%3DN%26start%3D40%26um%3D1

Ave Maria!

July 25

July 25

Orthodox: Dormition of Saint Anna

I am Anna, Mary’s Mother (I) In the beginning of August 1623, in the evening after a hard day of work, as Yves Nicolazic let himself have special thoughts for Saint Anna, his “good patron saint”, his room lit up all of a sudden. This young peasant from Brittany then saw a hand appear in the dark holding a wax torch. Later Yves saw these apparitions again several times, and found himself taken out into the darkest night following a wax torch that led him along narrow paths. One evening with his brother-in-law, they saw a white Lady with a wax torch in her hand in a well-known field called Bocenno. Another time, they saw shooting stars falling into that field. But all these events happened in a peaceful and unhurried manner. And Yves, who asked himself plenty of questions, never changed anything about himself, if not only to pray more fervently. On 25th July 1624, the day before the feast of Saint Anna, the Lady appeared to him again in the evening as he was walking down a path, told him reassuring words and led him home with a wax torch in her hand. However Yves could not rest quietly with his family that evening. He was too perplexed about these events, so he left his house and went outside to pray in the barn. On his way, he heard the “sound of the feet of crowds marching". But there is nobody on the path! Then in a bright light, the mysterious Lady appeared and spoke to him. “Yves Nicolazic, do not fear. I am Anna, Mary’s mother. Tell your rector that a one time there used to be a chapel on that patch of land called Bocenno, even before there was village here. It was the most popular one in all the country. It was destroyed 924 years and 6 months ago. I would like to have it rebuilt as soon as possible. I would like you to take care of it because God wants me to be honored there."

July 24

Our Lady of Cambron (France, 1148)

Pope Benedict XVI

May 31, 2009

Lourdes, France

Dear friends, in Mary's school we too learn to recognize the Holy Spirit's presence in our life, to listen to his inspirations and to follow them with docility. He makes us grow in the fullness of Christ, in those good fruits that the apostle Paul lists in the Letter to the Galatians: "Love, joy, peace, magnanimity, benevolence, goodness, fidelity, meekness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22) Pope Benedict XVI, May 31, 2009

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Flower of the Day

Hollyhock Althea Rosea The Pope's Rose

The Hollyhock are in full bloom now! In France the hollyhock is called The Pope's Rose (rose du pape), Rose of the Passion (rose-Passion), Our Lady's Rose (rose Notre Dame) and St. Joseph's Staff (baton de Jacob).

Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your shepherd, the Pope, a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love.

By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build Your church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Ave Maria!

July 23

Saint Bridget of Sweden, the Mystic of the North (d. 1373)

Abbey Church of St. Bridget

Vadstena, Sweden

St. Bridget is one of the Patroness' of Europe and she is also the mother of St. Catherine of Sweden. See this lovely story of St. Bridget http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOO5cl2fGtM You can listen to music from the original Abbey Church in Sweden http://www.youtube.com/user/abbeychurchmusic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYWnm09hQSU&feature=channel_page St. Bridget of Sweden received "Revelations" from the Lord. In the middle of the 14th century, the Blessed Virgin already told Bridget about the Immaculate Conception:

"The truth is that I was conceived without original sin." (Book VI, Chapter 4)

Mary also revealed many secrets of her heart to Bridget, telling her that at the moment of her conception, her soul, by sanctifying its body, spread a mysterious and inexpressible joy throughout her mother's entire being. Saint Bridget of Sweden, Celestial Revelations, (Chapter 7) The following is a fragment of the Virgin's words to Saint Bridget, explaining her own sorrow at the Passion of Christ, and about how the world was sold through Adam and Eve and bought back through Christ and His Virgin Mother.

“Jesus came and was in me through love. The Word and Love created Him in me. He was for me like my own heart. This is why, when I gave birth to Him, I felt as though half my heart was being born and going out of me. When He was suffering, it felt like my own heart was suffering. When something is half outside and half inside and the part outside gets hurt, the part inside feels a similar pain. In the same way, when my Son was being scourged and wounded, it was as though my own heart was being scourged and wounded.” “I was the person closest to Him at His Passion and was never separated from Him. I was standing near His Cross and, as that which is closest to the heart hurts the worst, so His pain was worse for me than for the others. As He gazed down at me from the cross and I gazed at Him, my tears gushed from my eyes like blood from veins. When He saw me overwhelmed by pain, He grew so distressed over my pain that all the pain of His own wounds subsided when He saw the pain in me.” “I can therefore boldly say that His pain was my pain and His heart my heart. Just as Adam and Eve sold the world for a single apple, you might say that my Son and I bought the world back with a single heart. And so, my daughter, think of me as I was at the death of my Son, and it will not be hard for you to give up the world.”

Below is the link to the Brigittine Order still in existence today. http://birgitta.vadstena.se/english/welcome.htm

Prayer to St. Bridget With hearts full of con­fidence, we turn to you, O Blessed Birgitta, in these times of darkness and unbelief, to invoke your powerful intercession on behalf of those who are separated from the true Church of Jesus Christ. Conscious of your deep knowledge of the cruel sufferings of our crucified Saviour, we beseech you to obtain the gift of Faith for all those who are outside the one fold, so that all the scattered sheep may be return to the one true Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

St. Birgitta, fearless in the service of God, pray for us. St. Birgitta, patient in suffer­ing and humiliation, pray for us. St. Birgitta, marvellous in thy love towards Jesus and Mary, pray for us. Pater, Ave, Gloria.

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Flower of the Day

Twinflower Linnea Borealis

Linnea Borealis or Twinflower is the national flower of Sweden. Named after Linnaeus (the Swedish 'father of taxonomy'), Linnéa is a very delicate wild plant - just about 1 in. high - growing in the deep shadow of Northern spruce forests. The plant has two flowers on top of each very thin stem. Foliage is in the form of creeping runners growing in deep moss. The flowers are pink, bell-like, very fragrant and grow in pairs.

Ave Maria!

www.ChildrenOfMary.com

July 22

Our Lady of Safe Hiding, (Overloon, Holland)

Birth of Saint Marguerite Mary Alacoque

Feast of St. Mary Magdalen

St. Mary Magdalen with jar of oil

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I Spoke to Her like a Child I always ran to Mary in all my needs. I had the habit of giving the small crown of the Rosary to her, kneeling on the floor on my bare knees, genuflecting or kissing the floor as many times as I said a 'Hail Mary.'

She has always been a mother to me and has never refused to help me. I ran to her with so much trust that it seemed like I had nothing to fear under her maternal protection.

I consecrated myself to Mary as her slave forever, begging her not to refuse my vow. I spoke to her like a child, with simplicity, just like I would have spoken to my own good mother for whom I felt, as a consequence, a strong and tender love.

I entered the Convent of the Visitation, because I was attracted to the very sweet name of Mary. I believed that what I sought was there. Saint Marguerite Mary Alacoque (d.1690)

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Flower of the Day

Spikenard ("Nard")

Nardostachys grandiflora

(or Nardostachys jatamansi)

St. Mary Magdalen used the sweet scent oil from this plant to anoint Christ (see picture above)

Ave Maria!

July 21

Feast of Our Lady of Einsiedein, Switzerland

Our Lady of Einsiedein

Story of Our Lady of Einsiedein

Einsiedeln is the most important place of pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Switzerland. The centre of Einsiedeln and destination for countless pilgrims is the baroque monastery dating from the 18th century. The Benedictine monastery has a history of just over one thousand years. Since the Middle Ages Einsiedeln with its “Black Madonna” has been one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. The famous shrine incorporates the relics of a saint, a miraculous Black Madonna statue, and a Benedictine monastery.

In the 9th century, the monk St. Meinrad, of the family of the Counts of Hohenzollern, left one of the local monasteries to built a hermitage in the wilderness of today’s Einsiedeln. He took with him a miracle-working statue of the Virgin Mary given to him by the Abbess Hildegarde of Zürich. He soon became well-known in the local village for his kindness and holiness, and received many visitors and gifts. On January 21, 861, two thieves murdered Meinrad for the treasure in his hermitage. According to legend, the murderers were apprehended after two ravens followed them into town and drew attention to them with loud squawking.

In 940, a few Benedictine monks turned Meinrad’s little hermitage into the “Lady Chapel.” The chapel is said to have been consecrated by Christ himself on September 14, 948. The bishop who was to consecrate the new site had a vision in which the church was filled with a brilliant light as Christ approached the altar; the next day, when he went to perform the ceremony, he heard a voice saying the chapel had already been divinely consecrated. The miracle was confirmed by Pope Leo VIII 16 years later in a papal bull. St. Meinrad had the Black Madonna statue (its dark color caused by years of candle smoke) as part of his altarpiece; it was placed in the Lady Chapel for veneration after his death. Many miracles were attributed to the intercession of “Our Lady of Einsiedeln,” and pilgrimages to Einsiedeln began shortly after 1000 AD.

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Flower of the Day

Edelweiss

Leontopodium (alp.)

Symbolizes Our Lady's Purity

Edelweiss is the national flower of Switzerland and it grows in the alps, it is also the name of a favorite song and movie!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJBexdvfUA

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PRAYER TO ST. PHILOMENA FOR PURITY

O most pure Virgin, glorious Martyr, St. Philomena, whom God in His eternal power has revealed to the world in these unhappy days in order to revive the faith, sustain the hope and enkindle the charity of Christian souls, behold me prostate at thy feet.

Deign, O Virgin, full of goodness and kindness, to receive my humble prayers and to obtain for me that purity for which thou didst sacrifice the most alluring pleasures of the world, that strength of soul which made thee resist the most terrible attacks and that ardent love for our Lord Jesus Christ, which the most frightful torments could not extinguish in thee. So, that wearing thy holy cord and imitating thee in this life, I may one day be crowned with thee in Heaven. Amen.

Ave Maria!

www.ChildrenOfMary.com

July 20 Feast of Our Lady of Grace at Picpus, Paris (1629) Canonization of St. Louis de Montfort St. Catherine Laboure

Mary, Mother of God

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Flower of the Day

Crepe Myrtle Myrtus commanis

Symbolizes Our Lady's Virginity

Crepe Myrtle in pink

Mary remained a virgin before, during and after she gave birth to Jesus; She is perpetual virgin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNt9r7X91_4&feature=related

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Prayer to Our Lady of America, Patroness of our Land

Written at the behest of Our Lady, October 5, 1956 by Sister Mary Ephrem (Mildred Neuzil)

Oh Immaculate Mother, Queen of our country, open our hearts, our homes, and our land to the coming of Jesus, your Divine Son. With Him, reign over us, O heavenly Lady, so pure and so bright with the radiance of Gods light shining in and about you. Be our leader against the powers of evil set upon wresting the world of souls, redeemed at such a great cost by the sufferings of your Son and of yourself, in union with Him, from that same Savior, Who loves us with infinite charity.

We gather about you, O chaste and holy Mother, Virgin Immaculate, Patroness of our beloved Land, determined to fight under your banner of holy purity against the wickedness that would make all the world an abyss of evil, without God and without your loving maternal care. We consecrate our hearts, our homes, our Land to your Most Pure Heart, O great Queen, that the kingdom of your Son, our Redeemer and our God, may be firmly established in us. We ask no special sign of you, sweet Mother, for we believe in your great love for us, and we place in you our entire confidence. We promise to honor you by faith, love, and the purity of our lives according to your desire.

Reign over us, then, O Virgin Immaculate, with your Son Jesus Christ. May His Divine Heart and your most chaste Heart be ever enthroned and glorified among us. Use us, your children of America, as your instruments of peace among men and nations. Work your miracle of grace in us, so that we may be a glory to the Blessed Trinity, Who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us. May your valiant spouse, St. Joseph, with the holy Angels and Saints, assist you and us in "renewing the face of the earth." Then when our work is over, come, Holy Immaculate Mother, and as our Victorious Queen, lead us to the eternal kingdom, where your Son reigns forever as King. Amen(200 days)

Nihil Obstat: Daniel Pilarczyk, S.T.D.Imprimatur: +Paul F. Leibold, V.G.Cincinnati, Jan. 25, 1963

St. Anthony's Faith in Mary's Perpetual Virginity The holy doctor frequently spoke on the perpetual virginity of Mary, a doctrine defined by the Church at the Lateran Council in 647. Our saint capsulizes this teaching concisely: "She remained a Virgin before, during, and after the birth (of Christ)." In one sermon, after likening St. Ann to an "olive tree, from which came the brilliant blossom... the blessed Mary," he says, "Symbolically it could be said that She (Mary) was 'green like an olive' in the conception and birth of the Savior, for She remained a virgin before and after His birth." Regarding our Lady's virginity during birth, he gives a fervent explanation: "Christ's birth from the Virgin knows no equal among women, but is mirrored in nature. Someone may ask how the Virgin gave birth to the Savior. She begot Him as a blossom emanates perfume. The blossom of the vine remains incorrupt after it has given off its perfume, and so likewise, faith leads us to believe that the modesty of the Virgin—the modesty with which She gave birth the Savior—was not violated. What else is the flower of virginity if not a sweet perfume?" Furthermore, "just as a lily does not lose any of its beauty in emitting its sweet fragrance, so too did our Lady preserve Her virginity in giving birth to the Savior." (from ewtn library)

You can go on a little pilgrimage to The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington to see the beautiful white crepe myrtle trees in full bloom. There are several at the bottom of the steps in the front of the basilica.

Ave Maria!

July 18 First Apparition of the Blessed Virgin to Saint Catherine Laboure (1830)

Our Lady of Victory at Toledo (Spain, 1202)

Apparation Chapel of the Miraculous Medal

Rue du Bac

Paris, France

On July 18, 1830, the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, whom she loved so much, and whose heart she had seen overflowing with love, St. Catherine prayed to him, so that her desire to see the Blessed Virgin be heard at last. At 11 p.m. that night she heard her name called. A mysterious child is at the foot of her bed and asks her to get up “The Blessed Virgin is waiting for you,” he said. St. Catherine dressed and followed the child radiating rays of light wherever he went. Having arrived in the chapel, St. Catherine stopped near the chair, used by the priest in the sanctuary.

She then heard a sound similar to the swish of a silk dress.

“Look, here is the Blessed Virgin,” said her small guide. She showed reluctance to believe. But the child repeated in a stronger tone of voice. “Here is the Blessed Virgin.”

Catherine hurried to the knees of the Blessed Virgin who was sitting on a chair. “I then bounded to the steps of the altar, knelt and let my hands rest on the knees of the Blessed Virgin. There I spent the most pleasant time of my life. It would be impossible for me to describe what I experienced. The Blessed Virgin told me how I should conduct myself with regard to my confessor and many other things.” Catherine received a mission, a request to have a Confraternity of the children of Mary established. (from official site)

Miraculous Medal the design given to St. Catherine by Our Lady

Prayer of St. Catherine Laboure

Whenever I go into chapel, I put myself in the presence of our good Lord, and I say to him, "Lord I am here tell me what you would have me do." If he give me some task, I am content and I thank Him. If he gives me nothing, I still thank Him since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that. And then I tell God everything that is in my heart. I tell him about my pains and my joys, and then I listen.

If you listen, God will also speak to you, for with the good Lord you have to both speak and listen.

God always speaks to you when you approach him plainly and simply. Amen.

Miraculous Medal Prayer

"O Mary, Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recouse to thee" (3 times) You can visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Visit the official site of the Chapel of Notre Dame of the Miraculous Medal to learn more http://www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com/EN/A.asp View this beautiful video of the story of St. Catherine Laboure and Our Lady http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2pF5XhNSJk

Flower of the Day

Tulip

Tulipa gesnaria

Symbolizes Mary's prayer

The tulip also represents Mary's spiritual openness. It was thought to be the "Rose of Sharon" in the Song of Songs.

***

"Oh, the pride of souls! How they resist My grace! O My priests, My religious, what would I not do for you if you would only let me! I come daily laden with graces, which you daily refuse. What am I to say of you, my best beloved? How long will you resist My love? It is from you I expect everything, and you give Me but the husks of your affections. How long will I bear with you, O My chosen ones? How long will you spurn My approaches?

"My little white dove, it was this ingratitude on the part of My priests and My religious that caused Me so much sorry in My passion." Our Lady of America, July 18, 1959.

Ave Maria!

July 17 Our Lady of Humility (Italy, 1490)

The Virgin of Humility with Saint Francis, Saint Bernardino, and a Donor

by Benozzo Gozzoli

Prayer of St. Therese of the Little Flower

Lord, you see how often I fail but I am never astonished at it...I enter into myself and say:' Alas, I am once more at the first step as before!' But I say this is great peace without sadness, because I know that you know perfectly how fragile is our nature and you are always ready to help us. What, then, shall I fear? As soon as You see me fully convinced of my nothingness, You stretch our Your hand to me; but if I should try to do something great, even under the pretext of zeal, You desert me. So all I have to do is humble myself, to bear with meekness my imperfections. Herein lies, for me, true holiness.

*****

Flower of the Day

Violet

Viola odorata

Symbolizes Our Lady's Humility and Modesty

The violet is considered the third flower of the Trinity during the medieval period, the other two are the rose and the lily. St. Bernard of Clairvaux speaks of Mary as the violet of humility in his 'Vitas Mystica.'

Legend has it that when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to ask her to be the Mother of God, the violet blossomed outside of her window when she spoke her fiat, "Let it be done unto me according to your word."

MEDIEVAL POEM

O fragrant rose, lily chaste

O violet of purity

Thine eyes of grace upon us cast,

Noster misericorde (Our merciful one)

A few articles on Our Lady's virtue of humility and modesty: http://www.fisheaters.com/modesty.html http://avemariamagazine.com/Issues/2007_May/Virtues_of_Our_Lady_No_1_(Humility).htm http://www.ourladyofamerica.com/whatsnew/The_Indwelling_Trinity_and_Humility.pdf

Ave Maria!

July 16 Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

The Altar of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel surrounded by six Carmelite saints Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Today is the beautiful feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

CARMEL in Hebrew signified garden. Mary's soul is a real 'garden' a garden of virtues and oasis of peace.' Only the soul that is wholly detached and in complete control of its passions can, like Mary, be a solitary, silent 'garden' where God will find His delights

"Judgement shall dwell in the wilderness and justice shall sit in Carmel. And the work of justice shall be peace, and the service of justice quietness and security forever. And my people shall sit in the beauty of peace, and in the tabernacle of confidence." Isaias (32, 16-18)

***

St. Simon Stock, an Englishman was the head of the Carmelite order in England during the 1200's. Devotion to the Virgin Mary was waning and his order was in danger of perishing so spent the night of July 15, 1251 in prayer to the Virgin Mary asking her intercession.

In the early morning of July 16, Our Lady, wearing the habit of Carmel with a multitude of angels and surrounded by light appeared to St. Simon holding the Infant Jesus.

She handed him the scapular of the Order, telling him:

"My beloved Son, receive this scapular for your Order. It shall be a special sign of salvation. This is a privilege for you and all Carmelites. Those who die wearing this scapular shall be preserved from eternal fire."

There were many miracles soon after. All are encourage to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular and you will receive many graces and blessings!

FLOWER OF CARMEL

Flower of Carmel

Tall vine blossom laden;

Splendor of heaven,

Childbearing yet maiden.

None equals thee.

*

Mother so tender,

Who no man didst know,

On Carmel's children

Thy favors bestow.

Star of the Sea.

*

Strong stem of Jesse,

Who bore one bright flower,

Be ever near us

And guard us each hour,

who serve thee here.

*

Strongest of armor,

We trust in thy might:

Under thy mantle,

Hard press'd in the fight,

we call to thee.

*

Our way uncertain,

Surrounded by foes,

Unfailing counsel

You give to those

who turn to thee.

*

O gentle Mother

Who in Carmel reigns,

Share with your servants

That gladness you gained

and now enjoy.

*

Hail, Gate of Heaven,

With glory now crowned,

Bring us to safety

Where thy Son is found,

true joy to see.

****

Flos Carmeli

O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity.

O Star of the Sea, help and protect me! Show me that thou art my Mother. O Mary, Conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us! Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us! Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!

Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us! St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us! St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us! St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us! O sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!

This is the prayer of St. Simon Stock, to whom the Scapular devotion with its promise was given. It has for seven centuries been called a prayer to the Blessed Mother which has never been known to fail in obtaining her powerful help.

Flower of the Day

White Lily

Representing Our Lady's purity

For more information about enrolling in the brown scapular: http://www.freebrownscapular.com/brown_scapular_enrollment.html

See this beautiful video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGoOna9VNjE

Ave Maria!

www.ChildrenOfMary.com