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3John4
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| First Name: | Dede | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Protestant, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Oct 17th, 2007 11:29 pm |
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Yesterday I had lunch with a Catholic woman I am just getting to know. Like me she was raised Catholic, left the Church, then returned many years later. Unlike me, she did not spend those years away in the protestant church.
Her reversion story centered significantly around the Blessed Mother; she constantly felt Her presence and direction. It got me to thinking (again) about how I haven't really been able to feel the presence of Mary, even though I pray the rosary almost daily, and have asked Her directly to reveal Herself to me. I have wondered if I have some unconscious mental block because of all the years (19) I spent as a protestant, absorbing a lot of negative misinformation about Catholics' worship of Mary. Also, my own mother, who I never really had a close, loving relationship with, is dying. I am her power of attorney, having to make a lot of health decisions for her while I watch her waste away. I have no idea if the trauma of this is having some effect on me as well.
However, I know my earthly mother will probably die within the next month, and this combined with how lovingly my new friend mentioned above spoke of the Virgin Mary, has made me more desperate than ever to kindle a deep relationship with Her. I am wondering if anyone has suggestions as to what I can do, resources I should access, etc. that might help me.
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Wed Oct 17th, 2007 11:56 pm |
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Might I suggest the writings of St. Louis Marie de Montfort (also sometimes referred to as St. Grignon)? He is probably the most Marian of all the saints, although there have been many.
His life was spent as a retreat master in northern France, and he spoke incessantly about the glorious Virgin, covering just about every aspect. Sometimes what he says may seem to be pious exaggeration, but I have checked out some of his theological sources, and he is solid as a rock, as befitting a canonized saint.
Pope John Paul II as a youth was greatly influenced by his works. It was his reading of True Devotion to Mary that led him to dedicate himself to Jesus through Mary and enter the seminary to become a priest.
There are several editions available of de Montfort’s works. The one I have is the Montfort Publications edition of his collected writings (1997), entitled God Alone.
David
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Intercessor
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Posted: Thu Oct 18th, 2007 12:23 am |
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3John4 wrote: I haven't really been able to feel the presence of Mary . . . I am wondering if anyone has suggestions as to what I can do . . resources that might help me.
Dede, David has recommended The Mother of the Saviour by Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange. I recently received a copy from TAN. A priest recommended it to me when I spoke of the same difficulties you mention.
Before my confirmation I went to Art.com and poured over all the prints of the Blessed Mother until I found some that spoke to me: Sassoferrato's Virgin in Prayer (as well as his Madonna and Child) and Fra Angelico's The Annunciation. I have The Annunciation hanging in my living room now. Virgin in Prayer is the focal point of my family room. I see her now right in front of me. I sit at my computer. She's there over the fireplace. I look at her, meditate on her, speak to her, try to learn from her. She has much to teach me about humility and obedience.
I approached her with an apology, asking her forgiveness for having neglected her all my life, for having failed to understand her role. Later after some weeks of saying the Rosary faithfully, I began to apologize to her for the pain I had caused her. All my life I had mourned my part in sending Christ to Calvary, but now my heart breaks when I reflect on the suffering my sins caused Mary. (I have a son in his early thirties.) When I pray the Rosary, I now try to look out at Jesus on the cross through Mary's eyes, while remembering that my sins put her son there. I weep with her for our Lord, her son, and grieve for the suffering I caused. (similar approaches with the other mysteries)
When I pray, I invoke her assistance, along with St. Edith Stein, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Paul, and St. Justin Martyr. It's powerful stuff, Dede. Even as you sleep, your intercessors are before the throne of God with your requests, especially the Blessed Mother.
When my heart is hurting, I turn to her and speak to her as I would to a mother with whom I had no inhibitions. "Blessed Mother, snuggle me close, caress my cheek, stroke my hair, wrap me in your mantle, wipe my tears"--she will be there for you, even when your earthly mother has departed.
This past Sunday, I attended a Marian Congress as part of an effort to help my relationship with the Blessed Mother along. It was my first time to walk in a long public procession. I was between two nuns right behind the statue of Mary, praying my Rosary as I walked. People were coming out onto their porches to watch us.
Dede, I have a long way to go before I approach the natural, comfortable relationship that cradle Catholics have with Mary. The point is to take positive steps toward building the relationship, then relax and let it ripen.
I'll share this verse. Meditating on it, focusing on Elizabeth's understanding of what was happening, helped me a great deal.
Luke 1:43 "And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
Note also that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit before speaking those words.
Last edited on Thu Oct 18th, 2007 07:04 am by Intercessor
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 02:42 am |
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| I'm watching Fr. Corapi's "Behold Your Mother" again, I shared a while back that I met my birth mother last May, it was the single most blessed moment in my life! For the first time I had intamacy w/my mother, I never had that w/my adopted parents, not that I don't love them or they me, there just was never any real intamacy. I shared things w/her that weekend I never shared w/my parents in over 40 years. This sustainded me for a while, but it's not enough, I need a mother who will always be there, Fr. Corapi says we can have a relationship w/Mary. I looked for my birth mother over ten years ago, it proved to be difficult, so I gave up. In October of 06, I searched for her w/all my heart, I found her less then a month later. If I seek Mary w/all my heart, will I find her, and will she take me to her Son? I'm a self absorbed person, I do not love my neighbor as myself, I do not regard the poor, I've had many women in my life, but none I loved unselfishly, but I don't know how to be anything other then what I am. I'm in a prison that I've tried so long to get out of to no avail, I'm tired, I don't want to live like this any longer.
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"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 03:30 am |
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Candlemass wrote:If I seek Mary w/all my heart, will I find her, and will she take me to her Son?
I’m sure of it, Mark. Just as you found your birth mother, so you will find your heavenly mother. But just as you did before, you need to search with all your heart.
I'm in a prison that I've tried so long to get out of to no avail, I'm tired, I don't want to live like this any longer.
You’ve expressed this same sentiment many times. To stop living “like this,” stop resisting God’s grace. Let those fears go. Let those appetites and addictions go. Let your pride and your shame go. And then you go — to God, for good. You can do it. God will make it happen. He will give you hope through your love of Mary, his mother. He will give grace and strength through his Holy Spirit. And he will give you forgiveness through his Son.
You may stumble, even fall repeatedly. No matter. Just keep coming back. God knows human weakness. He doesn’t require perfection, but determination and perseverance. Recall his agony in Gethsemane and know that this is God trembling and fearing, but going ahead and doing what he came to do because it means your redemption. If he died for you, you can live for him. His mother did; let her show you how.
David
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 04:14 am |
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David W. Emery wrote:
I'm in a prison that I've tried so long to get out of to no avail, I'm tired, I don't want to live like this any longer.
You’ve expressed this same sentiment many times. To stop living “like this,” stop resisting God’s grace. Let those fears go. Let those appetites and addictions go. Let your pride and your shame go. And then you go — to God, for good. You can do it. God will make it happen. He will give you hope through your love of Mary, his mother. He will give grace and strength through his Holy Spirit. And he will give you forgiveness through his Son.
You may stumble, even fall repeatedly. No matter. Just keep coming back. God knows human weakness. He doesn’t require perfection, but determination and perseverance. Recall his agony in Gethsemane and know that this is God trembling and fearing, but going ahead and doing what he came to do because it means your redemption. If he died for you, you can live for him. His mother did; let her show you how.
David
I know I've expressed this many times, and many times before you ever heard of me, I feel like I'm in a maze.
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"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 11:38 am |
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Ah, Mark, do you still not know? If it were not for his grace and love, you would not be here speaking of your pain and confusion. All that is lacking is your acceptance, your surrender. This is where Mary makes it easy. She has one hand on your shoulder and with the other beckons for you to come and join us at the feast, who is Christ, our Paschal Lamb.
David
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Ali
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 12:03 pm |
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David W. Emery wrote: Ah, Mark, do you still not know? If it were not for his grace and love, you would not be here speaking of your pain and confusion. All that is lacking is your acceptance, your surrender. This is where Mary makes it easy. She has one hand on your shoulder and with the other beckons for you to come and join us at the feast, who is Christ, our Paschal Lamb.
David
This mornings Moment with Mary seems fitting with what you said, David . . . .
January 30-Our Lady of the rose (Lucca, Italy)
The Name of Mary (II)
If the winds of temptations surge, if you run aground on the shoals of troubles, look to this star, call upon Mary! If you are tossed by the winds of pride or ambition or detraction or jealousy, look to this star, call upon Mary! If anger or greed or the allurements of the flesh dash against the boat of your mind, look to Mary! And if you are troubled by the enormity of your sins, confused by the foulness of your conscience, terrified by the horror of the Judgment, so that you begin to be swallowed up by the pit of sadness, the abyss of despair, think of Mary! In dangers, in straits, in perplexity, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let her name be always in your mouth and in your heart, and, if you would ask for and obtain help of her prayers, do not forget the example of how she lived.
If you follow her, you will not go astray. If you pray to her, you will not despair. If you think of her, you will not be lost. If you cling to her, you will not fall. If she protects you, you will not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is favorable to you, you will reach your goal. Thus you will experience personally how rightly it was spoken: "And the virgin's name was Mary."
Excerpt from Bernard of Clairvaux, Super missus est 2, 17; PL 183, 70-71
To subscribe, follow this link http://www.mariedenazareth.com/1.0.html?&L=1
Ali
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 01:08 pm |
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Do any of you wear this? This is indeed difficult to wrap my "Protestant mindset" around! 
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 03:32 pm |
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Ali wrote: To subscribe, follow this link http://www.mariedenazareth.com/1.0.html?&L=1
And it's free.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 03:32 pm |
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Candlemass wrote: Do any of you wear this? This is indeed difficult to wrap my "Protestant mindset" around!
Wear what, Mark?
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 03:37 pm |
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CajunRick wrote: Candlemass wrote: Do any of you wear this? This is indeed difficult to wrap my "Protestant mindset" around!
Wear what, Mark?
Doh!
http://www.catholiccompany.com/miraculous_medal.cf
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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Credo Catholic
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 05:36 pm |
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Candlemass wrote: I'm a self absorbed person, I do not love my neighbor as myself, I do not regard the poor, I've had many women in my life, but none I loved unselfishly, but I don't know how to be anything other then what I am. I'm in a prison that I've tried so long to get out of to no avail, I'm tired, I don't want to live like this any longer.
This is part of today's Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours. It may help you, it helped me:
Reading
From a sermon on the Song of Songs by Saint Bernard, abbot
Where sin abounded grace has overflowed
Where can the weak find a place of firm security and peace, except in the wounds of the Saviour? Indeed, the more secure is my place there, the more he can do to help me. The world rages, the flesh is heavy, and the devil lays his snares, but I do not fall, for my feet are planted on firm rock. I may have sinned gravely. My conscience would be distressed, but it would not be in turmoil, for I would recall the wounds of the Lord: he was wounded for our iniquities. What sin is there so deadly that it cannot be pardoned by the death of Christ? And so if I bear in mind this strong, effective remedy, I can never again be terrified by the malignancy of sin.
Surely the man who said: My sin is too great to merit pardon, was wrong. He was speaking as though he were not a member of Christ and had no share in his merits, so that he could claim them as his own, as a member of the body can claim what belongs to the head. As for me, what can I appropriate that I lack from the heart of the Lord who abounds in mercy? They pierced his hands and feet and opened his side with a spear. Through the openings of these wounds I may drink honey from the rock and oil from the hardest stone: that is, I may taste and see that the Lord is sweet.
He was thinking thoughts of peace, and I did not know it, for who knows the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor? But the piercing nail has become a key to unlock the door, that I may see the good will of the Lord. And what can I see as I look through the hole? Both the nail and the wound cry out that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. The sword pierced his soul and came close to his heart, so that he might be able to feel compassion for me in my weaknesses.
Through these sacred wounds we can see the secret of his heart, the great mystery of love, the sincerity of his mercy with which he visited us from on high. Where have your love, your mercy, your compassion shone out more luminously than in your wounds, sweet, gentle Lord of mercy? More mercy than this no one has than that he lay down his life for those who are doomed to death.
My merit comes from his mercy; for I do not lack merit so long as he does not lack pity. And if the Lord’s mercies are many, then I am rich in merits. For even if I am aware of many sins, what does it matter? Where sin abounded grace has overflowed. And if the Lord’s mercies are from all ages for ever, I too will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever. Will I not sing of my own righteousness? No, Lord, I shall be mindful only of your justice. Yet that too is my own; for God has made you my righteousness.
Concluding Prayer
Almighty and ever-living God, guide our actions and make them pleasing to you,
so that in the name of your beloved Son
we may overflow with good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Last edited on Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 11:44 pm by
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 05:44 pm |
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Credo Catholic wrote: Sorry! I hit the paste key too many times!
That's why God made Edit buttons!
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Credo Catholic
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 07:11 pm |
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| Cut me some slack here. God did a miracle just letting me paste from one program to another!
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 08:11 pm |
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CajunRick wrote: Credo Catholic wrote: Sorry! I hit the paste key too many times!
That's why God made Edit buttons!
Can I edit my life? :?
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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Credo Catholic
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 08:13 pm |
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You can start a new chapter. 
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CajunRick
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Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 04:12 am |
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Candlemass wrote: Can I edit my life? :?
Yes. Hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete. (Otherwise known as Father-Son-Spirit). Start at the confessional and reboot.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Candlemass
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Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 04:41 am |
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I'm going to confession this weekend. 
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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setapart
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Posted: Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 04:37 pm |
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Mark, as you can tell, the folks on this forum really care about you. Consdider this as an example of how much more God in heaven cares about you. He has not only given you family members here on earth but also in heaven to help with you with your struggles as you carry on your journey while remembering that you are not alone.
God Bless,
Bill
____________________
But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. Mal 4:2
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Candlemass
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Posted: Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 06:25 pm |
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setapart wrote: Mark, as you can tell, the folks on this forum really care about you. Consdider this as an example of how much more God in heaven cares about you. He has not only given you family members here on earth but also in heaven to help with you with your struggles as you carry on your journey while remembering that you are not alone.
God Bless,
Bill
Well, I could use some prayer for tonight, we have a show and I'm still not sleeping much, makes it difficult to sing well. It also can be an avenue of great temptation, after tonight we have two shows left, then I'm shutting it down.Last edited on Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 06:26 pm by Candlemass
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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setapart
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Posted: Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 06:48 pm |
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Will be praying.
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.asp
This is a link that describes the history of the Presention of the Lord observance. it includes your forum name in it.
____________________
But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. Mal 4:2
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Intercessor
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Posted: Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 09:27 pm |
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3John4 wrote:
It got me to thinking (again) about how I haven't really been able to feel the presence of Mary, even though I pray the rosary almost daily, and have asked Her directly to reveal Herself to me. I have wondered if I have some unconscious mental block because of all the years (19) I spent as a protestant, absorbing a lot of negative misinformation. . . .
However, I know my earthly mother will probably die within the next month, and this combined with how lovingly my new friend mentioned above spoke of the Virgin Mary, has made me more desperate than ever to kindle a deep relationship with Her. I am wondering if anyone has suggestions as to what I can do, resources I should access, etc. that might help me.
Returning to what Dede was asking---
The Marian doctrines were the last to fall into place for me. After accepting them on the basis of Church Authority, I was still left in Dede's situation--longing to feel the Blessed Mother's presence. I posted, above, the details of my pursuit but should perhaps add that the best advice given me was simply to be patient about the development of that relationship with Mary. One lady told me it took her many years, but that the relationship did eventually evolve into an intimate one.Last edited on Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 09:29 pm by Intercessor
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Candlemass
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Posted: Sat Feb 2nd, 2008 10:31 pm |
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| I suppose this could be said as well as w/the relationship w/God.
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"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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