Devotions for May: Soul Shrine for Mary ADAPTED FROM THE BOOKLET BY LIBBY RUDOLF Page 3

V. Procedure In Building May 13, 14, 15 (Candles.) A living, unselfish faith. Consideration---- The soul of living faith not only says, "I believe," but acts its belief, and that not only in matters that are easy but also in those things that go against self. Such was Mary's faith, a faith so strong it won Heaven's praise through the mouth of Mary's cousin, Saint Elizabeth, as we read in the Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 1, verses 41-45. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Ghost, said in her praises of Mary, "And blessed art thou that hast believed." A lighted candle dispels darkness. A soul aflame with zealous faith is an antidote to the world's error and irreligion. Prayer--- Recite the Apostles' Creed thoughtfully.   Mary, most strong in faith, obtain for me a living, unselfish faith. Practice---   Live your faith in the Blessed Sacrament by trying to assist at Holy Mass, receive Holy Communion or visit the Blessed Sacrament on one or all of these days. If this is already your practice make an effort to put more faith into those acts with Mary as your model.   You believe in having a cheerful disposition; make this attitude a beatitude.  May 16, 17, 18   (Vases.) Prayer for grace for ourselves and others. Being tactfully encouraging.  Consideration---- A goodly portion of Mary's time on earth was undoubtedly spent in prayer for the welfare of her soul and all souls. At the wedding feast Mary even recommended material affairs to Jesus. In Heaven she does not forget to pray for us. Her compassionate heart is eagerly awaiting her children's pleas in their needs of body, mind and soul; she desires to help. Mary is called the Seat of Wisdom and knows our needs better than we, sinful blundering people. Therefore, her intercessory power should not be belittled when some particular favors asked for are not received. DOWNLOAD SEAT OF WISDOM SCENIC WITHOUT TEXT DESKTOP DOWNLOAD SEAT OF WISDOM SCENIC WITH TEXT DESKTOP   Mary, perfect in all virtue, must have been a wonderful encouragement to all with whom she came in contact, for her heart was overflowing with love and kindliness toward all.   Prayer--- "Lord, teach us to pray." Say an Our Father with the intention of praying for everyone's needs.   Heart of Jesus, Source of all consolation, have mercy on us! Mary, comfortress of the afflicted, pray for us! Practice--- Instead of worrying and unnecessary talking about your own and others' troubles do some praying. Be careful not to dampen the spirits of anyone except when necessary. You desire kindly consideration, well, remember that other people are human, too. It is a wise investment for time and eternity to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." May 19, 20, 21 (White flowers.) Purity of intention. Avoidance of sin. The Archangel Gabriel said to Mary, "The Lord is with thee." Ever and gladly Mary gave God entrance to her life. Everything was done solely for Him. Doing all for God---that sweetens bitter sufferings, seals lips against complaint, lightens burdens, brightens darksome tasks and ways, gives courage to keep on even though the going is hard---it is practicing pure love.   Avoiding mortal sin a person remains in the state of grace. However, venial sin and imperfections stain the soul. Mary remained free from the slightest blemish, absolutely sinless.   Prayer--- All for Thee, O Jesus! Queen-Mother Mary, assist me to realize what this aspiration means. Then, when the going is hard I will be better able to keep up because doing all for Jesus means keeping on even though I have no consolation. Mary, most pure, help us to imitate thy sinlessness. Practice--- Stop from time to time to renew your intention of doing all for God. Perhaps you will have an ache, feel hungry, tired or annoyed; say nothing, but suffer it in cheerful silence for God. Live for God. God---man's only reason for living, his only reason for dying.   Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you. May 22, 23, 24   (Colored Flowers.) Joy, peace resulting from brotherly love. Consideration--- Mary, whose heart is more tender and peaceful than all human tenderness and peace desires to see her children live in peace and joy with one another. And it is impossible for them to live in true peace and joy unless they have true love for one another founded in God. Mankind crucified her Son, still Mary holds out her arms to mankind in a sympathetic, merciful love. While the sins of men drove swords of sorrow through Mary's soul she maintained her peace because she loved unselfishly, humbly.   Prayer--- Holy Mary, cause of our joy, mother most amiable, pray for us now and when we are tempted to uncharitableness and strife. Merciful and loving Jesus, Who hast lived, died and remainest in the Tabernacle for love of us, teach us to perfect ourselves in love of neighbor for Thy sake.   Practice--- Impatience, discontent, fault-finding are a few disturbers of the peace. Avoid them. Do not let your peace be ruffled by the things others do against peace. Hold to Jesus and Mary at those times that you may imitate their calm. Avail yourself of every opportunity of putting joy and warmth into this depressed and sin-chilled world by kindly thoughts, smiles, words and deeds. May 25, 26, 27   (Foliage.) Confidence, cheerfulness, enthusiasm.   Consideration--- Excepting Christ's life no life had more troubles than Mary's. Nevertheless, Mary never lost or weakened her trust in God; she looked on the bright side (God's side) of circumstances; her zeal led her to do good to all and to practice virtue.   Being cheerful means having God-directed, bright, selfless thoughts and letting them color joys and sorrows. Some people speak of feeling gloomy because of rain or grey skies. If they rather thought of God than of themselves while they suffered from the rain and sky greyness their souls would bless God for the chance of a little penance and praise His creative power---for who but God could make even a single raindrop or an inch of grey sky? These instances of God's handiwork are really beautiful when viewed His way.   Prayer--- Mary, our hope, have pity on us! My soul doth magnify the Lord And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. (Words of Mary.) Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us! DOWNLOAD A SACRED HEART SCENIC DESKTOP   Practice---   Watch for what you call the gloomy and tiresome things. See if you can put some cheer and life into them. Be grateful to God for them. My God, Thou hast done so much for me, let me do something for Thee and trust Thee. Thou hast suffered death for me, I am glad to suffer for Thee. My God, I love Thee, may my life be a song of adoration, thanksgiving, reparation and supplication. Oh, God, Thou art mine, Thou lovest me, may I be Thine, may I love Thee. Such sentiments, heartfelt, are of the spirit of trust, cheer and put life into an otherwise dreary day and task. Try to inject these sentiments into at least one what you call gloomy detail of life. Ask Mary by a Hail Mary to help you do so. May 28   (The statue.) Zeal in spreading devotion to Mary.   Consideration---   One of the last acts of the dying Christ was the spreading of devotion to His beloved mother Mary. From His Cross-Throne He says to all, "Behold thy mother!" Yes, behold her who gave birth to Me that I might die for you. Do not forget her. Be her loving children; also her compassionating children. Be thoughtful of her in her great sorrows, and in her love for you.   Christ preached volumes when He said, "Behold thy mother!" Ah, that man would listen and do. Did not Mary say to the waiters, "Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye"? Prayer---   My dying Savior, may Thy words, "Behold thy mother," find a fitting response in every heart.   O Mary, I have been building a shrine for thee in my heart. How imperfect my work has been! Still, I know you are my Mother most amiable. Therefore, with a heart humbled by my failures I ask thee to lead me beneath the folds of thy protecting mantle. Help me to do the will of God and strive to make thee known and loved by myself and others.   Practice---   Make an effort to read something about Mary. There is a variety of pamphlets on the subject of our Queen-Mother. Perhaps you can give one or more of these pamphlets away. Catholic Tradition has a prayer card [on the reverse not shown] in full color with an image of Our Lady of Good Remedy for the asking, Just e-mail us with your request, providing us with your home address.   Perform an act of self-denial that Mary may be better known and loved by yourself and others. Be sorry for all the sorrow you have caused the Mother of Sorrows. May 29, 30, 31   (Visitors.) Visits to Mary's altar; visits to the Blessed Sacrament; visits of charity. Consideration---   Mary is our model of the perfect guest. All aglow with the wonder of her coming miraculous maternity Mary went to be a help to her cousin, Elizabeth, who, as the Archangel Gabriel said, was to be a mother in her old age. Mary's contemplative spirit must have yearned at this time for quiet communion with her God and Son, but she thought of self last. The incident of the wedding feast of Cana of Galilee is an incident that clearly shows Mary's alertness to the ease of mind of her host and that in a manner perfectly tactful. Many were the hours Mary spent with Christ in the Tabernacle. Why are there so many souls spending lonely hours of suffering, in prison---too little of Mary's spirit of selfless, thoughtful, charitable visiting in the hearts of her children. Varied reasons can be given. Such as friendlessness, bereavement? Prayer--- Mary, perfect in the art of visiting, assist me to make my visiting pleasing to thee. Teach me not to visit only for my pleasure but also to give others pleasure. Jesus Who dost visit us in Holy Communion to be our food and life fill me with thy spirit of charity; instruct me in the art of Christian visiting. May I visit Thee often. Practice--- Make it a point to visit at least once during these days the Virgin Mary's altar in some church. In order to please Mary more, stop to greet her Divine Son in the Tabernacle before turning toward the altar in her honor. If this visit is not possible, then make one in spirit. Is there someone whom you ought in charity to visit or write? Attend to the matter in union with Mary. Say a Hail Mary for the most neglected person in the world. Never forget the Divine Prisoner in the Tabernacle---He, Who in His dying moments commended His Mother to you.

Continued forward for page 4. Click the right flower.

  E-Mail

HOME-------------------MAY'S INDEX--------------------PRAYER INDEX

www.catholictradition.org/Mary/soul-shrine3.htm