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Scripture meditation: Concerning mutual charity there is no need for us to write you, since you yourselves have learned from God to love each other. 1 Thessalonians 4:9
Reflection: The most powerful means we have for drawing down the benevolence of Mary toward us is a virtue. The virtue is love for our neighbor.
St. Gregory Nazianzen (329-389AD)
Mini-Bio: Cappadocian; archbishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church
Prayer: O Mary, you are partial toward those who imitate your Divine Son in love for their neighbor. Teach me to love my neighbor in the many circumstances of life, no matter what the cost.
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Scripture meditation: I will put enmities between you and the woman, and between your seed and hers. He shall crush your head. Genesis 3:15
Reflection: The Old Testament recounts the period of salvation history that slowly prepared for the coming of Christ into the world. It brings into gradually sharper focus the figure of the Woman, Mother of the Redeemer, already foreshadowed in the promise of victory over the serpent.
Vatican II: Lumen Gentium/The Church, 55 (1962-1965AD)
Mini-Bio: 21st Ecumenical council: Convened by John XXIII 1958-1963; Closed by Paul VI 1963-1978: Descisions: Issued pastoral documents on the renewal and reform of the Church, intending to make the Church more effective in dealing with the contemporary world.
Prayer: O Mary, you were chosen by God to be the Mother of the Redeemer. Protect me always from evil and obtain eternal salvation for me in heaven with you and your Son Jesus.
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Scripture meditation: We are fools for Christ. … When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we bear it; when maligned, we respond with kindness. 1 Corinthians 4:10-13
Reflection: Those who burn with the fire of Divine Love are children of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and wherever they go they enkindle that flame. Nothing distresses them; they rejoice in poverty, labor strenuously, welcome hardships, laugh off false accusations, and rejoice in anguish.
St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870AD)
Mini-Bio: Spanish; priest, founder of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians)
Prayer: O Mary, teach me to offer all my prayers, works, and sufferings of each day in union with your Immaculate Heart to Jesus for the salvation of the world.
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Scripture meditation: Let us live in peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have been introduced through faith to God's grace that we now enjoy. Romans 5:2
Reflection: Mary, you have found grace because you desired and sought it. You have found Uncreated grace -- that is, God Himself became your Son -- and with that grace you have found and obtained every uncreated good.
St. Albert the Great (1206-1280AD)
Mini-Bio: German; scientist, philosopher, theologian and Doctor of the Church
Prayer: O Mary, you are the Mother of Uncreated Grace. Grant that I may seek your Divine Son in everything I do and say.
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Scripture meditation: God said, "Honor your father and your mother," and "Whoever abuses father or mother shall be put to death." Matthew 15:4
Reflection: Jesus said: "Honor your father and your mother." Therefore, in order that He might observe His own decree, He gave all grace and honor to His Mother!
St. Methodius of Olympus (250-311AD)
Mini-Bio: Asia Minor; bishop, ecclesiastical writer, martyr
Prayer: O Mary, as the Mother of the Lord of All, you received all grace and honor. Help me to join my voice to that of all the Angels and Saints in praising youHoly Quotes for Maureen Ward
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Scripture meditation: Within her is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, undefiled. Wisdom 7:22
Reflection: How good Mary is! How beautiful she is! How worthy she is of all respect!
St. John Eudes (1601-1680AD)
Mini-Bio: French; priest, missionary, founder of seminaries and of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists)
Prayer: O Mary, you are all-beautiful, and there is
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Scripture meditation: Rise up and shine! Your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1
Reflection: The Holy Sprit did not describe Mary in the Gospels but left it to you to picture her in your heart. In this way, you might comprehend that there is no grace, no perfection, and no glory conceivable in a simple creature that is lacking to her.
St. Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555AD)
Mini-Bio: Spanish; archbishop, Augustinian provincial, university professor, reformer, chaplain to the emperor
Prayer: O Mary, help me to meditate often on your life in the Mysteries of Christ. May I come to appreciate the true glory that is yours.
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Scripture meditation: The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God." Luke 1:30
Reflection: The Immaculate Conception is the name that reveals with precision who Mary is. Mary is profoundly holy in the totality of her existence, from her very beginnings.
Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Prayer: O Mary, you are all-holy. Help me to strive after holiness by doing the will of God as it becomes clear to me through each day's events.
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Scripture meditation: All of us at one time lived among them in the cravings of our flesh … and we were by nature children of wrath, like the others. Ephesians 2:3
Reflection: How far from this woe of those who are born "children of wrath" was the most holy Nativity of Mary! She was free not only from original sin but also from the fuel of misery, insofar as it leads to sin, for she was conceived without stain.
St. Bonaventure (1221-1274AD)
Mini-Bio: Italian; cardinal-bishop, Franciscan minister general, philosopher, theologian, Doctor of the Church
Prayer: O Mary, conceived with out sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
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Scripture meditation: Blessed are you, and deserving of all praise … and glorious is your name forever. Daniel 3:26
Reflection: The Name of Mary contains in itself the brilliance of the virtues, the sweet reflection of modesty, and the sacrifice agreeable to God. It is the sign of hospitality and the center of sanctity.
St. Peter Chrysologus (406-450AD)
Mini-Bio: Italian; bishop, Doctor of the Church
Prayer: O Mary, your holy Name is glorious forever. Grant me the grace to revere it, call upon it every day, and teach it to others -- especially my relatives, friends, and benefactors.
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Scripture meditation: Since we belong to the day, we must be composed. Let us put on the breastplate of faith and charity and the helmet that is the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Reflection: As long as I keep alive my hope in you, O Mother of God, I shall be safe. I will fight and overcome enemies with this one shield -- your protection and your powerful help.
St. John Damascene (of Damascus) (675-749AD)
Mini-Bio: Syrian; priest, monk, theologian, poet, Doctor of the Church
Prayer: O Mary, you are the Queen of spiritual victories. Grant me the strength to overcome all the assaults of the devil during life and especially at the hour of death.
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Scripture meditation: For I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the world … says the Lord. Zephaniah 3:20
Reflection: At times, I have failed to place an image of our Savior's Mother beside His Cross. At such times, I have always found the peoples rebellious to the Gospel!
St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552AD)
Mini-Bio: Spanish; Jesuit priest and missionary
Prayer: O Mary, you are the Mother of Missions. Enable me to help spread the Gospel -- abroad by prayer -- and at home by the witness of a Christian life.
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Scripture meditation: I will give them a new heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh. Ezekiel 11:19
Reflection: Give your heart completely to Mary. And beg her to make it like the Heart of her Divine Son, Jesus.
St. John Eudes (1601-1680AD)
Mini-Bio: French; priest, missionary, founder of seminaries and of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists)
Prayer: O Mary, I willingly give you my heart to be conformed to the Heart of Jesus. Grant me the grace to possess the sentiments of your Divine Son.
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Scripture meditation: Do not let your hearts be downcast. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1
Reflection: O happy confidence! O perfect refuge! The Mother of God is my Mother. What firm trust we should have, then, since our salvation depends on the judgments of a good Brother and a tender Mother!
St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109AD)
Mini-Bio: Italian; archbishop, abbot, theologian, Doctor of the Church
Prayer: O Mary, you are the Mother of Salvation. Let me place all my trust in you and in your Divine Son, Jesus -- no matter what dangers I may encounter during life.
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Scripture meditation: To me, the very least of all saints, this grace has been given, to announce to the Gentiles the good news of the unfathomable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8
Reflection: The more her children entrust themselves to Mary, the nearer she leads them to the "unfathomable riches of Christ." And to the same degree they recognize more and more clearly the dignity and the vocation of human beings.
Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Prayer: O Mary, help me to grow in the knowledge and love of you Divine Son Jesus each day and to see Him in all things.
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Scripture meditation: Without faith it is not possible to please God. For anyone who comes to him must have faith that God exists and that he rewards those who try to find him. Hebrews 11:6
Reflection: Mary is not only the sublime "type" of the creature redeemed by the merits of Christ but also the "type" of humankind on the pilgrimage of faith. Her faith leads us in the reality of the Gospel!
Pope Paul VI (1897-1978AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1963-1978) Italian; Reconvened Vatican II, and implemented many of its reforms. Became the first pope in over 150 years to leave Italy. He enlarged the college of cardinals. Reaffirmed the church's ban on contraception.
Prayer: O Mary, you are our Model in the pilgrimage of faith. Grant that I may imitate your faith as I make my way along the bewildering paths of this world
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