Mary TV: May 28, 2017 Reflection - Novena to the Holy Spirit, Day 3

      
  (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

J.M.J.

May 28, 2017
7th Sunday after Easter
(Ascension of the Lord in some US dioceses)

Novena to the Holy Spirit, Day 3

 

Dear Family of Mary!
Today we pray for the Gift of Piety. This gift helps us to love God and by extension to love others. We definitely need this gift today, when love is so weak in the world. Our Lady tells us:

July 25, 2011

"Dear children! May this time be for you a time of prayer and silence. Rest your body and spirit, may they be in God's love. Permit me, little children, to lead you, open your hearts to the Holy Spirit so that all the good that is in you may blossom and bear fruit one hundred fold. Begin and end the day with prayer with the heart. Thank you for having responded to my call."

THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter or transferred Ascension)

Thou, of all consolers best,

Visiting the troubled breast,

Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety

The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Then pray these two prayers:

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant is listening." Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant that same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 27, 2017 Reflection - Novena to the Holy Spirit, Day 2

  
  (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2016

J.M.J.

May 27, 2017

St. Augustine of Canterbury

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

Novena to the Holy Spirit, Day 2
Today we pray for the Gift of Fear of the Lord which is a foundational gift. Fear of the Lord leads us to great respect for God the Creator, and a desire to thank and praise Him forever for His great love. This is a wonderful gift that puts so many things right in our hearts. Our Lady tells us to decide for God the Creator in this message:

May 25, 1998

"Dear children! Today I call you, through prayer and sacrifice, to prepare yourselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Little children, this is a time of grace and so, again, I call you to decide for God the Creator. Allow Him to transform and change you. May your heart be prepared to listen to, and live, everything which the Holy Spirit has in His plan for each of you. Little children, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you on the way of truth and salvation towards eternal life. Thank you for having responded to my call."

SECOND DAY (Saturday of 6th Week of Easter)

Come, Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure;
Come, Light of all that live!

 

The Gift of FearThe Gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."

 

Prayer

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.

 

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. 

Then pray these two prayers:

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant is listening." Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant that same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 26, 2017 Reflection - Let's pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit!

  
  (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

J.M.J.

May 26, 2017
St. Philip Neri
Dear Family of Mary!
Today we begin the Novena to the Holy Spirit. Each day until Saturday before Pentecost, we will pray this Novena together. Here is an explanation of the Novena from EWTN:

The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian. (You can find the entire Novena at this link: https://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/seven_tx.htm )

I will include a message from Our Lady each day. Here is a message for today:

June 2, 1984 (Saturday) "Dear children! Tonight I wish to tell you during the days of this Novena to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on your families and on your parish. Pray, and you shall not regret it. God will give you gifts by which you will glorify Him till the end of your life on this earth. Thank you for having responded to my call."

FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension or Friday of 6th Week of Easter)

Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Spirit

Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin? Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helps our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asks for us."

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Then pray these two prayers:

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You  and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

May 25, 2017 Message from Our Lady of Medjugorje

  
  (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

J.M.J.

May 25, 2017

Dear Family of Mary!

Here is the May 25, 2017 Message from Our Lady of Medjugorje:

"Dear children! The Most High has permitted me to call you anew to conversion. Little children, open your hearts to the grace to which you are all called. Be witnesses of peace and love in this peaceless world. Your life here on earth is passing. Pray that through prayer you may yearn for Heaven and the things of Heaven and your hearts will see everything differently. You are not alone; I am with you and intercede before my Son Jesus for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

Mary TV

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 25, 2017 Reflection - Where is your gaze and heart?

  
  (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

J.M.J.

May 25, 2017
The Ascension of the Lord
Dear Family of Mary!
The Gospel for Ascension Thursday:

The eleven disciples went to Galilee

to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

Then Jesus approached and said to them,

"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Mt 28: 16 -20)

Jesus gave the disciples on last pep talk before He ascended to the Father! He wanted them to understand the plan! He also wanted them to know that He would be with them (and us) until the end of the age. He would not abandon us in our fight for souls. Our Lady spoke to us about this fight:

December 25, 2016

"Dear children! With great joy, today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Open your hearts, little children, and be joyful that you can receive it. Heaven is with you and is fighting for peace in your hearts, in the families and in the world; and you, little children, help with your prayers for it to be so. I bless you with my Son Jesus and call you not to lose hope; and for your gaze and heart to always be directed towards Heaven and eternity. In this way, you will be open to God and to His plans. Thank you for having responded to my call."

In this message Our Lady calls us to gaze heavenward towards eternity. She tells us that this gaze is essential for us if we are to be open to God and His plans. Jesus is now in heaven with the Father! He sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us! This is where our gaze and our heart should always be focused!

We can only imagine what a huge impression it made on the Disciples when Jesus ascended into heaven before their eyes! They could not tear their eyes away from the sky into which He disappeared. We are told in Acts 1:9-11: "And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

But now it is our job to gaze with our hearts, with our interior gaze, upon the Throne of God where Jesus sits, making intercession. This is how we will stay open to God and His plans. This is our command central! The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are there, commanding the Church Militant in this fight for souls. It is "OK" to gaze up into the heavens!! We need to stay connected to the Lord in heaven, so that we will be effective servants here on earth!

One way to gaze upward is to receive the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Paraclete. Through the power of the Holy Spirit our interior gaze will be kept on eternity and the Throne of God. For the next 9 days we will offer the Novena to the Holy Spirit together, preparing ourselves to receive the Gifts of the Spirit which are so necessary if we are to grow in the plan of God! We will start tomorrow!

Happy Feast Day!!

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
© Mary TV 2017

PS.  I will send out Our Lady's message as soon as I get it!

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 24, 2017 Reflection - Confession!

  
  (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

J.M.J.

May 24, 2017
Dear Family of Mary!

 

July 2, 2011 "Dear children; today I call you to a difficult and painful step for your unity with my Son. I call you to complete admission and confession of sins, to purification. An impure heart cannot be in my Son and with my Son. An impure heart cannot give the fruit of love and unity. An impure heart cannot do correct and just things; it is not an example of the beauty of God's love to those who surround it and to those who have not come to know that love. You, my children, are gathering around me full of enthusiasm, desires and expectations, and I implore the Good Father to, through the Holy Spirit, put my Son faith, into your purified hearts. My children, obey me, set out with me."

Yesterday Fr. Glen Sudona gave a wonderful homily on Confession. I realize not all of you can go to the archives to listen, so I transcribed it! Thanks to Fr. Glen for such a beautiful exhortation!

 

Fr. Glen Sudano, CFR. Homily for English Mass in Medjugorje, May 23, 2017

 

One word that is very important today is the word, "confession." And you know that Medjugorje is really noted for healing. And while Lourdes is known for the healing of the body, here it is noted for the healing of the soul. And quite frankly if you had to choose a healing, choose the healing of your soul! Because we all have to give up the body some time. But the soul lives forever. And so it is all important that we make a good confession.

 

Outside in the confessional area you will see a statue of a priest, a Capuchin Franciscan. His name is St. Leopold of Mandic. Do notice that the statue is a life-sized statue. Fr. Leopold was 4foot 5 inches tall. A little man, but as the saying goes, great things come in small packages. And like St. John of the Cross and Mother Teresa and a number of saints, what they lacked in height they had in holiness.

 

And so for ourselves we want to grow in many areas in our life, so when we are young we want to grow up; then when you grow old, you grow out; and then you grow grey; then you grow deaf - I said, THEN YOU GROW DEAF! And we want to grow financially, and all these things are good things, and understandable things. But there is a growth in holiness. And that is often neglected. We want to grow in many areas, but not to grow holy.

 

So it's not a matter of the height, but of the depth of a person. This is why confession is all important, because Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches." And the branches, He says, need to be pruned. Those of you who have a garden or know anything about gardening, know that you have to take away the weeds and the dead things in order to produce greater fruit or flowers. Same thing with the soul. We have to sever things from us that are sapping the life from the soul.

 

There are some people who are daily communicants, which is wonderful. But they don't go to confession. And this is why you can go to communion every day, and you know what is happening to your soul? Nothing! If you are in a state of mortal sin, something is happening and it is not good. However, if you put seed in sand, do you know what happens to the seed? Nothing. So it is important that we make a good confession.

 

We have this idea that the Church is sort of like a spiritual organization, and Jesus is alive, and that is sort of a spiritual thing. NO...Jesus rose from the dead. He told Thomas, "Touch me and see that I am not a ghost." Too many people, including Catholics, want the Church to be a ghost. They want it to be this ephemeral thing that doesn't really communicate, doesn't really say anything, or if it says anything you can't really trust it, so I will live my life...NO! Jesus has a body! A resurrected body, and this is the Mystical Body of Christ, and that is why we have to be united to the vine, physically. Not just simply spiritually.

 

Some people say, well I don't like going to church on Sunday. The priest is boring, and the choir is awful, so on Sunday I go to the beach, and I run along the beach, and I listen to my iPod, and I am inspired. I know the Bible better now, and I am just a better person. Fine, you want to do that, do that on Monday! Christ requires us, He wants us united to His Body. When you go to receive Holy Communion, the priest doesn't say "Spirit of Christ", "Wisdom of Christ", "Knowledge of Christ..." He says "The Body of Christ!"

 

When you go to confession you encounter the Body of Christ, through the priest. It's the Body of Christ. Saying your sins to the wall next to your bed may make you feel good for a little bit, but in the long run nothing ever happens. So this is why we have to go to confession and we have to unite ourselves to the Body of Christ. We have to go out. It is not just simply spiritual, but it is something physical and spiritual.

 

We celebrate and profess the Incarnation. "Carnes" in Latin means "flesh". Incarnation is God took on flesh in Christ. The Incarnation continues after the Risen Christ ascends into Heaven. It continues in a new body, the Church. Now it is true that sometimes the Body of the Church on a local level we may not like, but you know what, when Jesus appeared in the upper room, He appeared with wounds. The Church is wounded. But you know what? It still is the Mystical Body of Christ. This is why, as a Catholic Christian, we go to Confession.

 

The little sins, whatever, you say your act of contrition. As a matter of fact, at the beginning of Mass we have a little time for absolution for the venial sins. Alms giving. The reception of Holy Communion brings forgiveness of sins. But you know what, if you throw a leaf on a pond, it remains on the water. If you throw a stone on a pond, it sinks to the bottom. Heavy things sink to the bottom. So this is why it is important for us to understand the difference between that which just floats on the surface that can be skimmed off and that which goes down deep.

 

Go before the statue of St. Leopold of Mandic. And if you go to Padua, don't only visit St. Anthony, visit this man. His arm is preserved, because of the many times in which he gave Absolution. Go to St. Leopold and say, "St. Leopold, I know what is on the surface, you reveal to me what is in the center of my soul." And then go to Confession.   Anger, unforgiveness, ingratitude. God keeps all of us alive. And do you think he gets a thank you? Did you thank God for your eye this morning? Did you thank Him for your hearing? Did you thank Him that you are not in pain? How many thank Him, and yet He does all these things, and we are so ungrateful. Is that a leaf or is that a stone? To me it is a stone, because I like to be thanked. I like to be recognized. And I'm not God. God deserves it, I may not.

 

So brothers and sisters, do yourself a favor, do your spouse a favor, do your children a favor, do your parents a favor, do your neighbor a favor, make a very, very good confession. And when you finish, you will not only feel better, you will be better. May Christ be praised.

 

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2017

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 23, 2017 Reflection - The power of the Hail Mary!

  
  (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2016

J.M.J.

May 23, 2017
Dear Family of Mary!

June 12, 1986 "Dear children! Today I call you to begin to pray the Rosary with a living faith. That way I will be able to help you. You, dear children, wish to obtain graces, but you are not praying. I am not able to help you because you do not want to get started. Dear children, I am calling you to pray the Rosary and that your Rosary be an obligation which you shall fulfill with joy. That way you shall understand the reason I am with you this long. I desire to teach you to pray. Thank you for having responded to my call."

I was rereading St. Louis de Montfort's treatise, "True Devotion to Mary" and came across this passage in which St. Louis describes the power and value of praying the Hail Mary. His words stirred me to a deeper reliance upon that little prayer. I believe that the Holy Spirit wanted me to again realize what a gift the Angelic Salutation is for us poor sinners. By praying the Hail Mary, we recall the moment that Salvation broke into our temporal reality. In recalling that moment, we honor and praise God and thank Our Lady, and we call down great blessing and protection upon ourselves. For this was the moment that Satan was vanquished.
Here is what I read:

250. ...On the other hand, we know from experience that those who show positive signs of being among the elect, appreciate and love the Hail Mary and are always glad to say it. The closer they are to God, the more they love this prayer, as our Blessed Lady went on to tell Blessed Alan.

251. I do not know how this should be, but it is perfectly true; and I know no surer way of discovering whether a person belongs to God than by finding out if he loves the Hail Mary and the Rosary. I say, "if he loves", for it can happen that a person for some reason may be unable to say the Rosary, but this does not prevent him from loving it and inspiring others to say it.

252. Chosen souls, slaves of Jesus in Mary, understand that after the Our Father, the Hail Mary is the most beautiful of all prayers. It is the perfect compliment the Most High God paid to Mary through his archangel in order to win her heart. So powerful was the effect of this greeting upon her, on account of its hidden delights, that despite her great humility, she gave her consent to the incarnation of the Word. If you say the Hail Mary properly, this compliment will infallibly earn you Mary's good will.

253. When the Hail Mary is well said, that is, with attention, devotion and humility, it is, according to the saints, the enemy of Satan, putting him to flight; it is the hammer that crushes him, a source of holiness for souls, a joy to the angels and a sweet melody for the devout. It is the Canticle of the New Testament, a delight for Mary and glory for the most Blessed Trinity. The Hail Mary is dew falling from heaven to make the soul fruitful. It is a pure kiss of love we give to Mary. It is a crimson rose, a precious pearl that we offer to her. It is a cup of ambrosia, a divine nectar that we offer her. These are comparisons made by the saints.

254. I earnestly beg of you, then, by the love I bear you in Jesus and Mary, not to be content with saying the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin, but say the Rosary too, and if time permits, all its fifteen decades, every day. Then when death draws near, you will bless the day and hour when you took to heart what I told you, for having sown the blessings of Jesus and Mary, you will reap the eternal blessings in heaven.

(St. Louis de Montfort. "True Devotion to Mary" n. 250-254)

I do believe that the Rosary, and especially the Hail Mary are gifts for our time. I find myself just saying Hail Mary's as I go about my work or even when I rest. I feel the need to protect my intellect and will, to put up a barrier of protection for my thought life. These days are full of spiritual activity, spiritual battle if you will. For us little ground troops the Rosary is our helmet and shield. The Rosary keeps us balanced and focused on God and what He is doing for save us.

"Hail Mary!!!! Full of Grace!!! The Lord is with thee!!! Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus!!! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death!!! Amen!!!!!

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2017

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 22, 2017 Reflection - Pray for the Family

 
  (c)Mary TV 2013

J.M.J.

May 22, 2017
Dear Family of Mary!

 

"Dear children! Also today I desire to especially call you, through this time, to pray for families. Pray, dear children, for families, for unity in families, for peace in families. I am interceding for all of you with my Son and I am praying for all of you. You must be persevering in prayer. Thank you, dear children, for also today having responded to my call."  (Message through Ivan on May 19, 2017)

Cardinal Caffarra was appointed the first head of the Institute for the Study of Marriage and the Family which was begun by St. John Paul II in 1981.  The Cardinal had the idea to write to Sr. Lucia of Fatima to ask for her intercession in this very important mission. He told Aleteia.org:

And so, I thought to write to her. So I wrote, but simply saying: "The pope wanted this Institute. We are going through a very difficult time. I ask you only to pray." And I added: "I do not expect a reply." Her prayers were enough for me.

As you know, in order to have any contact with Sr. Lucia, even by letter, one needed to go through her bishop. So I sent the letter to the bishop, and he passed it on to Sr. Lucia.

To my great surprise, after not more than two or three weeks, I received a reply. It was a hand-written letter and quite long. I have given sworn testimony of what the letter said. The letter ended, saying (in 1983 or 1984): "Father, a time will come when the decisive battle between the kingdom of Christ and Satan will be over marriage and the family. And those who will work for the good of the family will experience persecution and tribulation. But do not be afraid, because Our Lady has already crushed his head."  (https://aleteia.org/2017/05/19/exclusive-cardinal-caffarra-what-sr-lucia-wrote-to-me-is-being-fulfilled-today/ )

We have all witnessed this terrible battle over marriage and the family over the past 35 years.  It is no wonder Our Lady gave Ivan the task of praying for the family.  And that task is ours as well.  We must see the terrible trials that the families of the world have undergone as part of the titanic struggle between Satan and the Woman - Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  We are to pray and fight with Mary for marriage and the family and a return to true reverence for the human person. (Please follow the link above to the article and read the full text of the Cardinals remarks.)

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©MaryTV 2017

(c)Mary TV 2013

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 19, 2017 Reflection - Pure love...

 
  (c)Matero Ivankovic 2016

J.M.J.

May 19, 2017
Dear Family of Mary!

 

August 2, 2007 "Dear children, Today I look in your hearts and looking at them my heart seizes with pain. My children! I desire from you unconditional, pure love for God. You will know that you are on the right path when with your body you are on the earth, and with your soul you are always with God. Through this unconditional and pure love, you will see my Son in every person. You will feel in union with God. As a Mother I will be happy because I will have your holy and unified hearts. My children, I will have your salvation. Thank you."

Here is St. Faustina's experience of pure love for God:

 

The desires of my heart are so great and incomprehensible

That nothing can fill the abyss of my heart.

Even the most beautiful things, gathered from all over the world,

Would not for a moment fill Your place for me, O God.

With one glance, I penetrated the whole world,

And I found no other love like the love of my heart.

Therefore, I looked into the world of eternity because this one is too small for me.

My heart has desired the love of the Immortal One.

My heart has sensed that I am a royal child,

That I have found myself in exile, in a foreign land.

I see that the heavenly palace is my home;

Only there will I feel as in my own fatherland.

You Yourself have drawn my soul to You, O Lord;

O Eternal Word, You Yourself have stooped to me,

Giving my soul a deeper knowledge of Yourself.

Behold, the mystery of love for which You have created me!

 

Pure love has made me strong and brave.

I fear neither the seraphim nor the cherubim, standing with sword in hand,

And I pass over with ease where others tremble,

Because there is nothing to fear, there where love is the guide.

 

And suddenly the eye of my soul came to rest upon You,

O Lord Jesus Christ, stretched upon the Cross.

Here is my Love, with whom I will rest in my grave,

This is my Bridegroom, my incomprehensible Lord and God. (1632 Diaryof St. Faustina)

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan

©MaryTV 2017

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 17, 2017 - Update from Denis - "This time is my time!"

Mary TV!
Be connected!

Mateo Ivankovic 2017       May 17, 2017   Dear Family of Mary, I sense Our Lady's great joy these days. We can be assured everything is progressing according to the Father's plan. "This time is my time!" she told us in a message 20 years ago!!!! And just before the Pope's Envoy came to Medjugorje: "You are not alone; I am with you through the grace which the Most High gives me for you and your descendants."   Fr. Leon gave some light regarding the Pop's recent remarks in his "Snippet" before English Mass today (http://marytv.tv/?page_id=258 ), and went on to say more in today's "Tea with Rosie: News from Medjugorje": http://marytv.tv/?page_id=184     The Pope ended his remarks on the plane flying back from Fatima to Rome by mentioning the trusted bishop that he had sent to Medjugorje, and that Bishop Hoser may have something to say on behalf of the Pope at the end of his mission this summer. Let's not forget what Archbishop Henryk Hoser has already said to us from Medjugorje:   archbishop Henryk Hoser SAC (Pallottine) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) "You should be carries of joyful news: you can say to the whole world that in Medjugorje there is a light... To invoke the Queen of Peace, the Mother of God, is important.  It is this aspect of Medjugorje which is utterly important.  That call that is so intense here is so important for the whole world... We need a heavenly intervention.  And the presence of the Blessed Mother is one of these interventions. It is God's initiative.  Therefore, I would like to encourage and fortify all of you on behalf of the Pope, as his emissary." Archbishop Henryk Hoser, Papal Envoy to Medjugorje, in April, 2017, addressing the Franciscans, parishioners and pilgrims in Medjugorje   God bless you! Denis Nolan MaryTV   PS. You might also like to note Andrea Tornielli's article on this subject that appeared in yesterday's "La Stampa," Rome's major newspaper: http://www.lastampa.it/2017/05/16/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/medjugorje-the-findings-of-the-ruini-report-hvBaZ3ssAeDicjdmEcS3UN/pagina.html   MISSION STATEMENT: MARY TV is a lay apostolate founded to put at the Gospa's service (Our Lady's service) modern communication technologies to bring her presence in Medjugorje - and her school in Medjugorje - to the world.       "Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."  Saint John Paul II  Be connected!  www.marytv.tv

Mary TV: May 18, 2017 Reflection - Remain in my love....

  (c)Matero Ivankovic 2016

J.M.J.

May 18, 2017
Dear Family of Mary!

 

Today's Gospel reading is one of the shortest of the year. But it is also one of the most profound:

 

Jesus said to his disciples:

"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.

Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,

just as I have kept my Father's commandments

and remain in his love.

"I have told you this so that

my joy might be in you and

your joy might be complete." (Jn 15: 9-11)

There is a connection of love in God's economy. The Father loves Jesus. Jesus loves us as the Father loves Him. And we love them both back, by keeping their commandments. We love the Father and Jesus by having hearts like their hearts. Hearts that give, forgive, serve, and choose life. Our Lady has spoken about this chain of love:

January 25, 2016 "Dear children! Also today I am calling all of you to prayer. You cannot live without prayer, because prayer is a chain which brings you closer to God. Therefore, little children, in humility of heart return to God and to His commandments so that with all of your heart you are able to say: as it is in Heaven so may it be on earth. You, little children, are free to in freedom decide for God or against Him. See where Satan wants to pull you into sin and slavery. Therefore, little children, return to my heart so that I can lead you to my Son Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Living God's commandments is the way to align ourselves with Heaven! It is the way to put things right. And then we will live in God's love. Of course we can only do the best we can, but Jesus already knows that and provides what is lacking by His mercy.

 

Here is an interesting message from 2012:
December 25, 2012 Our Lady came with little Jesus in her arms and she did not give a message, but little Jesus began to speak and said: "I am your peace, live my commandments." With a sign of the cross, Our Lady and little Jesus blessed us together.
You see! Baby Jesus' words are so clear, so simple! He is our peace; we must live His commandments to enter that peace. Remaining in the love of the Father and the Son is peace. It is life on earth as it is in heaven. Our Lady is with us to bring us into that peace, to help us remain in God's love, to live the commandments. She is here to help us.
Let us remain in Jesus' love always.

 

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2017

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

New Medjugorje Billboard

First Billboard Goes Up and Two More Releases!

Two Releases May 16, 2017 A.D.

 

Sign-up for mejList, the FREE Medjugorje Newsletter

For Immediate Release
May 16, 2017 A.D.

The first Winds of Change billboard went up last week on Interstate 65 South between Cullman and Birmingham, Alabama at mile marker 299. More are being printed and shipped for installation.
 

The 14’ x 48’ billboard on Interstate 65 South is illuminated at night. Be sure to continue checking the Medjugorje Billboard site for new locations as they begin to be placed.

In the Spirit of Reclaiming Our Lady’s Land
Help Reach Millions of People Without
Leaving your Home and While Driving

What other way can you reach thousands of souls each day that, through prayer, can have a life-changing encounter with the image of the Virgin Mary? Many have told us, in tears, that they did not know why they took a different route home from work but in their moment of despair they drove past a billboard and found the love of God they had been seeking through the Mother. Our Lady’s new efficacy makes reaching souls easier as never before. The following two new releases below are yet another opportunity to expose people to Our Lady.

Without Leaving Your Home

Many people have sponsored a billboard and the printing company is running around the clock to get the Winds of Change billboards up around the nation. By popular demand we have made the Winds of Change image available in a 4'×8' vinyl sign for you to attach to your house, barn, fence or workplace! These 4’ x 8’ signs are now available to ship. Live on a busy street? Put the Winds of Change image on your house, barn or fence to bring conversion to your own neighborhood. Be sure to have plenty of materials to feed the hungry souls that come to you. Caritas has books by a Friend of Medjugorje which cover every subject to help the spiritually needy come to Our Lady inquiring for materials. You can order the 4' x 8' vinyl sign online here, along with many other spiritual materials to help others.

4’ x 8’ vinyl signs can be placed anywhere. The sign has grommets every 2 feet for easy hanging.

While Driving

“Prayer Saves You, Prayer Saves the World.” is another profound statement made by Our Lady on April 2, 2017, which a Friend of Medjugorje stated on a Radio WAVE broadcast: “Lets make it a bumper sticker, that many can see.”

The Prayer Saves You… bumper sticker is now available to order online!

Everyone that is following you to work or around town will see this sticker and want more. A simple but poignant statement of Our Lady that a Friend of Medjugorje made into a bumper sticker will get people to ask more. Be sure to stock plenty of Caritas Medjugorje materials to give to those in need. You can choose from many topics in our online store, or by calling Caritas in the U.S. at 205-672-2000

For information about billboard locations, or to make a donation visit the Medjugorje Billboard site here…
You can also call Caritas in the U.S. at 205-672-2000, in order to sponsor a billboard, order a vinyl sign, or bumper stickers. Call anytime between 8:30 AM and 5 PM Central. After hours, dial to extension 315 and leave a message.

 

---

Copyright SJP Lic. Caritas of Birmingham. Used with permission. All information contained on this site including all text, images, sound tracks, logos, including all matter which may not be viewable to the user, and all matter which, may not be, or is downloadable and/or printable, are protected under international copyright and cannot be used without permission from Caritas of Birmingham, other than non-commercial personal use and/or for positive personal promotional purposes of said material.
http://www.medjugorje.com/copyright.html..

Mary TV: May 17, 2017 Reflection - Love, pray and witness my presence...

 
Photo of Penny in Medjugorje, on December 29, 1998
She is seeing the miracle of the sun (with one eye!)

J.M.J.

May 17, 2017
Dear Family of Mary!

April 25, 2017 "Dear children! Love, pray and witness my presence to all those who are far away. By your witness and example, you can draw closer the hearts that are far from God and His grace. I am with you and intercede for each of you so that, with love and resoluteness, you may witness and encourage all those who are far from my Immaculate Heart. Thank you for having responded to my call."

When we witness how Our Lady has revealed her presence to us in Medjugorje, how she has drawn us close to her, how she has shed light in our hearts so that we can be free, how she has embraced us with her love, we draw others into that same circle of love and hope. We welcome our neighbors into the peace of her Immaculate Heart, and they find relief from all their fears.
Who would not share such a gift with others?
Penny sent me this joyous email about her encounters with Our Lady through Medjugorje. She said I could share it with all of you:

Our Lady of Medjugorje has been my personal life/soul saver.  Both my pilgrimages '97 and DEC/JAN '98/'99 (awesome experience but OH SO cold) were amazingly paid for.  While having tea with friends who'd already been there, my friend, Phyllis, and I both said -- out loud -- we'd like to honor Our Lady with a pilgrimage but she'd have to get us the money and tell us where to go.  

I just learned recently from Phyllis (the '97 trip) -- this is something we'd never shared with each other - that we both got the money for our pilgrimage at about the same time and in the same way! It happened that each of our cars was outside during a hail storm and even though we didn't see any damage, we were told to take our cars to our State Farm shop.  State Farm wrote each of us a check for the exact amount of a pilgrimage.  We each put that money in the bank and waited to learn the "where" part.

That summer I had an overwhelming "knowledge" that I was to go to Medjugorje.  I laughed and said, "Okay, but you know me God, I need someone to go with."  I came home and the phone rang.  It was Phyllis who asked me if I would go to Medjugorje with her.  Thru my laughter and tears and wonder, she was able to tell me that she had already booked the trip and we would be leaving in late September.

The photo attached is from the next trip in '98/'99.  Everyone was seeing the miracle of the sun on Apparition Hill and I was afraid and feeling unworthy to even try.  So one of the group suggested I risk one eye.  LOL.  Yes, I did get to see it. In fact, if you look closely, you can see in my eye the sun and that my pupil isn't even contracted.

How could I not share this with people?
Blessings, Penny

Thank you, Penny, for sharing these gems from your two pilgrimages to Medjugorje. You show us how Our Lady gently guides us with her motherly hand, one step at a time. She gave you a desire to go on pilgrimage, then she gave you a friend to go with, and the money to pay for the trip!! This is amazing!! And the miracle of the sun, even if it is only for one eye, is unforgettable!!
Thank you, dearest Mother, for being so closely involved in our lives. We are overwhelmed with gratitude and love.
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2017

 

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

May 16, 2017 Reflection - The Signs of the Times...

(C)Mateo Ivankovic 2017

J.M.J.

May 16, 2017

 

Dear Family of Mary!
Our Lady has spoken several times about "the signs of the time." She encourages us in these messages to be aware of the signs of the times, to pray to understand the signs of the times, and to witness these signs of the times.

 

Here are three messages in which she speaks of the signs of the times. I encourage us all to read and pray through these messages with trust and open hearts. We are apostles of her love, apostles of her presence in Medjugorje. How can we be good apostles? How can we help the Gospa?

 

"Dear children! In this Lenten time, I call you to interior renunciation. The way to this leads you through love, fasting, prayer and good works. Only with total interior renunciation will you recognize God's love and the signs of the time in which you live. You will be witnesses of these signs and will begin to speak about them. I desire to bring you to this. Thank you for having responded to me." March 18, 2006

"Dear children! Also in this difficult time God's love sends me to you. My children, do not be afraid, I am with you. With complete trust give me your hearts, that I may help you to recognize the signs of the time in which you live. I will help you to come to know the love of my Son. I will triumph through you. Thank you." (June 2, 2007)

"Dear children! Today I call you to accept and live my messages with seriousness. These days are the days when you need to decide for God, for peace and for the good. May every hatred and jealousy disappear from your life and your thoughts, and may there only dwell love for God and for your neighbor. Thus, and only thus shall you be able to discern the signs of the time. I am with you and I guide you into a new time, a time which God gives you as grace so that you may get to know him more. Thank you for having responded to my call."  (January 25, 1993)

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2017

 

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

ChinaAid Delegation Heads to Washington, D.C., with Wives of Abused and Tortured Lawyers, Congressional Hearing Scheduled for Thursday

ChinaAid Delegation Heads to Washington, D.C., with Wives of Abused and Tortured Lawyers, Congressional Hearing Scheduled for Thursday
  

Contact: Brynne Lawrence, ChinaAid, 432-553-1080, media@chinaaid.org 

 

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- A ChinaAid delegation comprised of the wives of abused and tortured Chinese human rights advocates is traveling to the U.S. capitol to spotlight their husbands' cases on Thursday.

 

Photo: China Aid delegation meeting with Marco Rubio

 

Invited by U.S. Representative Ed Royce, the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Lee Ching-Yu, wife of jailed Taiwanese NGO leader Li Ming-Che; Dr. Chen "Gloria" Guiqiu, wife of human rights attorney Xie Yang; Jin Bianling, wife of lawyer Jiang Tianyong; and Wang Yanfang, wife of attorney Tang Jingling, will all testify regarding their husbands' cases during a hearing before one of the committee's branches, the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations. The hearing will be held in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on May 18, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

 

According to Royce, the purpose of this gathering is to "examine the torture, disappearances, and detention of human rights lawyers and democracy advocates in China." As such, the witnesses will be presenting their husband's cases before the congressional audience.

 

The delegation will be in the capitol Tuesday-Thursday, and they will also be meeting with officials from the Trump Administration, members of Congress, and key NGO leaders.

 

In order to further spread awareness of abuses occurring in China, each of the witnesses and ChinaAid President Bob Fu, whose experience in a Chinese prison for preaching Christianity and connection to victims of similar atrocities led him to found the organization, will be available for interview. If you wish to arrange to speak with them, please contact Brynne Lawrence at (432) 553-1080 or media@chinaaid.org.

 

ChinaAid hosts such delegations in order to expose China's human rights abuses to international leaders, which the Communist Party conceals, in hopes that those in the free world will act on behalf of those suffering for executing their right to freedom of belief and speech.

 

Contact ChinaAid

Office phone: (432) 689-6985

Media phone: (432) 553-1080

Media e-mail: media@chinaaid.org