Saturday, August 2, 2008

First Saturday of the Month

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Veneration of the heart of Mary is analogous to the worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The heart of Mary, full of love for her Divine Son and for us as well is a symbol of her interior life: her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections but especially her compassionate love for her people.

Historically, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary grew parallel to that of Sacred Heart of Jesus but it was not as nearly as prominent. After the Apparitions of Mary at Rue the Bac convent in Paris on July 18, 1830 to Saint Catherine Laboure, this devotion became very popular due to the Miraculous Medal that was made on Mary’s request. Mary told Catherine that it would be a source of great graces for all who would wear it.
Around the oval frame of the medal we read the words, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you." In this brief prayer we find the truth of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and Mary’s intercessory power with God for us who ask for her aid. On the reverse side of the Medal we see a Cross, the symbol of Christ’s Redeeming Sacrifice on Mount Calvary for the salvation of the world.

Immaculate Heart of Mary always intercedes for us.

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