Virgo Potens

The Month of the Holy Angels October 11th Unfortunately, so far from corresponding with their efforts for our welfare, we constantly impede them by our sins and imperfections. If only we knew them better and loved them more, and were more docile to their constant whisperings, our happiness would be unspeakably great. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)

And in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the Virgin was Mary. Luke 1: 26-27 THE ANNUNCIATION It requires but a slight effort of the imagination to picture this beautiful scene. The Angel sent from God stands before Mary who is kneeling in prayer. Their eyes meet, the message is delivered, and the holy rapture of both messenger and recipient glows on the countenance of each. The redemption of fallen man is secured and sealed by the reply of Mary:—"Be it done unto me according to thy word." With this scene clearly visualized in our minds how can we ever tire of repeating over and over again the ever refreshing inspiration expressed in the divinely thrilling phrases of the Hail Mary! ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

The Month of the Holy Angels October 10th This is exactly what the Angels say to us: “Ask us and we will give you a share of all our treasures, all our graces, all our happiness, and we will give you some of all we have.” Their goodness and generosity are immense. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)

And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35 THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES While reciting the first five decades of the rosary our Holy Mother the Church asks us to contemplate in succession the gladness and joy that thrilled Mary as she realized the privilege of her marvelous and sacred motherhood of the Holy One, promised of old as the Redeemer of mankind! The holy rapture and sacred ecstacy that accompanied every episode from the Annunciation to the Finding in the Temple prepared and strengthened Mary for the desolation and “sword of grief" that later was to pierce her soul. Contemplation of these sacred mysteries strengthens our trust in Mary and secures us against the danger of presumption when we are blessed with spiritual joy and consolation. Mary accepted her joys with serenity, ours should be accepted with gratitude and humility. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

God has ordered His angels to protect all your steps. (Psalm 90) “For he hath given His angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 90:11 The Month of the Holy Angels October 9th The Generosity of The Angels What is of paramount importance to us is that the Holy Angels seek in every possible way to share with us this immense ocean of love and happiness which they themselves enjoy. Their generosity knows no bounds. This is a truth that we must do our best to understand fully and clearly. Were a very rich man to say to us, “Ask me for everything you wish and I will most readily give it to you,” how happy we should be! Certainly we would not hesitate to ask for all we need. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)

My soul doth magnify the Lord; and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47 THE MYSTERIES Each decade of the rosary commemorates a particular event called a mystery in Mary's existence. And while saying the rosary we should devoutly meditate upon the event suggested by these mysteries. The Joyful Mysteries cluster about the happy motherhood of Mary; the Sorrowful Mysteries present her to us as the Co-Redemptrix of our fallen race; while the Glorious Mysteries relate the reward and triumph that is hers for all eternity. Hers was the privilege to bring the Savior of mankind into the world; to share with Him by sympathy and by suffering His sacred passion and death; and finally to be placed by Him on the exalted throne in heaven where for all eternity she reigns Queen of Angels and of men. With the contemplation of these mysteries before us the recitation of the rosary must ever grow dearer and sweeter and more and more sublime. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

The Month of the Holy Angels October 8th The Angels reflect God’s goodness and sweetness no less wonderfully. They reflect all His divine virtues and perfections, they enjoy the vision of God’s infinite love, and they love Him back with all the mighty strength and intensity of their natures. Their happiness is perfect, for they receive of the ocean of God’s happiness in a way that no human mind can fathom. The happiness that an Angel enjoys in one moment is so deep, complete and all-satisfying that it exceeds all the happiness that a mortal man could enjoy in a thousand years. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)

Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42 THE HAIL MARY The Hail Mary consists of the utterances of the Angel, of St. Elizabeth, and of the Church. By the Angel, Mary is told that she possesses the plenitude of grace and is to be the mother of the Redeemer; by St. Elizabeth, the prophesy is made that Mary shall be blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of her womb; and the Church adds the petition to Mary to pray for us. Thus did Angel, Prophetess and Church unite in formulating for us this most simple, and most familiar of all prayers—the Hail Mary. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

October 7th ~ The Most Holy Rosary of the B.V.M. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. Deus, cujus Unigenitus per vitam, mortem, et resurrectiónem suam nobis salútis ætérnæ præmia comparávit: concéde, quæsumus; ut, hæc mystéria sacratíssimo beátæ Maríæ Vírginis Rosário recoléntes, et imitémur quod cóntinent, et quod promíttunt, assequámur. Per eúndem Chrístum Dóminum. Amen. Collect, October 7th, The Most Holy Rosary of the B.V.M. ~ The New Roman Missal, 1937

The Month of the Holy Angels October 7th When, therefore, the Angels appear to men, they take a human form so as not to over-awe or confound those who look on them. What must be the ravishing beauty of the Heavenly Jerusalem, where these countless millions of glorious Angels are not only resplendently beautiful but all differ from each other so that the perfections of one are completely different from those of the other. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)

Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee, Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. Matt. 1:20 PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH By order of the Supreme Pontifif the "Prayer to St. Joseph" is to be recited daily during the October Devotions in honor of Our Lady. St. Joseph was Mary's unfailing protector in life, and it would be an unpardonable slight to him were we to appeal to Mary and exclude St. Joseph. Were such exclusion deliberate we should certainly fail to obtain Mary's aid; for a slight to him is an ofifense to his immaculate spouse. They shared each other's joys and sufferings in life, and they are today sharing each other's triumphs and glories in heaven. They are one in mind and heart and victory, and they are not to be separated in our petitions and prayers. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

I, N.N., give and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ my person and my life, my actions, penances, and sufferings, not wishing to make use of any part of my being for the future except in honouring, loving, and glorifying that Sacred Heart. It is my irrevocable will to be entirely His, and to do everything for His love, renouncing with my whole heart whatever might displease Him. I take Thee then, O most Sacred Heart, as the sole object; of my love, as the protector of my life, as the pledge of my salvation, as the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, as the repairer of all the defects of my life, and as my secure refuge in the hour of death. Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God the Father, and remove far from me the thunderbolts of his just wrath. O Heart ot love, I place my whole confidence in Thee. While I fear all things from my malice and frailty, I hope all things from thy goodness. Consume then in me whatever can displease or be opposed to Thee, and may thy pure love be so deeply impressed upon my heart that it may be impossible that I should ever be separated from Thee, or forget Thee. I implore Thee, by all thy goodness, that my name may be written in Thee, for in Thee I wish to place all my happiness and all my glory, living and dying in very bondage to Thee. Amen. i. 300 Days, once a day. ii. Plenary, once a month. Leo XIII, January 13, 1898 Pius X, May 30, 1908. (The Raccolta, 1910)

ACT of CONSECRATION of B. Margaret Mary ❤️

FIRST FRIDAY of OCTOBER ❤️ O Sacred Heart of Jesus, animated with a desire to repair the outrages unceasingly offered to Thee, we prostrate before Thy throne of mercy, and in the name of all mankind, pledge our love and fidelity to Thee! If possible, receive Holy Communion today and make reparation to Our Lord and Saviour for past and present offenses against His Most Sacred Heart.

St. Frances of Rome and Her Guardian Angel The Month of the Holy Angels October 6th St. Bridget, who was favored by God with heavenly visions, tells us that were we to see an Angel in all his beauty, we should be so ravished with delight at the sight of him that we should die of love. St. Frances of Rome was favored by the constant vision of her Angel. She says that were an Angel to appear in all his splendor, the light of the sun and moon and stars would become dim in comparison. After Our Lord’s Resurrection, we read how an Angel descended from Heaven and rolled back the stone that had closed the holy sepulcher. The Sacred Scriptures say that the countenance of the Angel was like lightening and his raiment white as snow. His appearance was so full of majesty that the soldiers whom Christ’s enemies had placed to guard the tomb were terrified and dared not to look on him, but fell to the ground as if dead. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)