[MaryVitamin] a cross is a crown begun

Mary Vitamin for January 29th

 

Topic: Preparing for the Presentation of the Lord (Feb 2)

"A Cross is a Crown Begun"

 

Quote:

"A sword shall pierce your heart."

"This first dolor discloses to us one of the most universal supernatural principles, which characterize His dealings with His saints. Earthly sorrows are the roots of heavenly joys. A cross is a crown begun. Suffering is dearer to the Saints than happiness; for similitude of Christ has passed upon them."

Father Faber, The Foot of the Cross, (Tan Books)81.

 

Meditation:

"Yet we never had more than a touch of God's little finger upon us, while both His Hands, heavier than a thousand words, held Mary down in the dust. Nevertheless, no duty saw her absent. No common thing missed at her hands the same degree of zeal and attentiveness which the greatest could require. She seemed busy everywhere, engrossed in everything, with a mind all free and at her own disposal. She went and drew water from the well. She cleaned the house, and prepared the food, and spun the flax.  Every thing was at its right time and in its proper place. But the sword was there, in the very quick of her heart."

Father Faber, The Foot of the Cross, (Tan Books)83.

 

Resolution:

Today, I will repeat "a cross is a crown begun." I will do my work the best that I can today, in imitation of Our Lady, who didn't let the shadow of The Cross and Her sorrows lead her to self-pity. They led Her to God.

 

Marian Vow:

I will see Our Lady as the fulfillment of "a cross is a crown begun." I will think of her as the Immaculate and Sorrowful Mother with seven swords in Her heart and the triumphant Woman of Revelations:

"A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Rev. 12:12

 

I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Thanks be to God for graces received.

 

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

Father Faber wrote the words of the Eucharistic hymn

Jesus My Lord, My God (Sweet Sacrament) and translated St. Louis de Montfort's True Devotion to Mary.

 

Posted via email from deaconjohn's posterous