Virgo Potens

2 of 2 8th Day.— Mary's Espousals 2. What a trial, too, for her humility, that she who had consecrated her virginity to the Most High, should appear before the world in the ordinary state of wedlock, that she who was the Bride of the Most High should be counted as the bride of mortal man ! Yet Mary rejoiced in this humiliation. She knew well that those whom God humbles He will in due time exalt. 3. Mary's confidence in God was not disappointed. He did not fail to fulfil the desires of His handmaid. She found, on being espoused, that Joseph her Spouse had, like her, made a vow of chastity, and that she could therefore dwell with him in perfect security. Oh,how good God is to those who hope in Him! Hail, holy Joseph, hail ! Sweet Spouse of Mary, hail ! Chaste as the lily flower In Eden's peaceful vale. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

MARIA MAGNIFICATA ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Month of the Holy Rosary October 8th 8th Day.— Mary's Espousals I have put m y trust in Thee, O God. I have said, My lot is in Thy hands. (Psalm xxx. 15.) 1. When Mary arrived at the age when it was the custom for Jewish maidens to leave the service of the Temple, the High Priest told her that a husband would be chosen for her. But Mary had already made a vow of virginity to God, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and now she received the command tojoin herself in wedlock, and God inspired her to obey. What a trial for her faith and confidence in God! (continued)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Angels October 7th Alone and safe at last, Peter exclaimed: "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from the power of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” Then Peter proceeded to the house of the mother of John, sumamed Mark, where many of the Christians were gathered together to pray for his release. Here he was, unfettered and cheerful of face, knocking at the gate! Rhoda, the servant girl, went out to reconnoiter. So amazed was she to find the Apostle there that she left him standing outside and rushed in to break the good news to the assembly. No one would believe her. "It is his angel!” they all agreed. (Cf. Acts 12:3-17.) Note the words his angel. Evidently the early Christians firmly believed in an individual angel commissioned to guard and guide each and every human being. Moreover, as it is of interest to note, they seem to have thought that the guardian angel might at times take on the appearance and the voice of his charge. But of chief importance, their reaction on hearing of Peter’s liberation gives us most convincing proof of their strong belief in the guardianship of angelic beings. ~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)

The Month of the Holy Angels October 7th The Early Christians (continued) Another time St. Peter was arrested and jailed by Herod. Custody of "the Rock” was committed to four guards of soldiers, four in each guard—sixteen men in all. Came the night hours, and Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while outside the door sentries guarded the prison. "And behold, an angel of the Lord stood beside him, and a light shone in the room; and he struck Peter on the side” and woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.’ Then the chains fell from Peter’s hands. The Apostle put on his cloak and sandals and walked out a free man, leaving the soldiers to their dreams. (continued)

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)

2 of 2 7th Day.—Mary's Life in the Temple 2. What is it Mary is continually praying for? That God would hasten the coming of the Messias, and that, if it were God’s will, she might be thought worthy to be the handmaid of His Mother. It never entered into her wildest dreams that she was the chosen one who was to usher into the world the Saviour of the world. Thus it is that the holiest always esteem themselves as nothing worth. If I were more holy, I should be more humble. 3. What a joy it is to Mary to take part in the sacred psalmody of the Temple! As she sings the praises of God it seems to her that she is in heaven, singing with the angels. How sweet her voice sounds in the ears of God, sweeter than all the music of the heavenly choirs! What is it gives such surpassing beauty to her song? It is her heavenly purity. Blessed are the pure in heart: their voice always sounds sweetly as it rises in prayer or praise to God. Virgin of all virgins To thy shelter take us, Gentlest of the gentle, Chaste and gentle make us. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

MARIA MAGNIFICATA ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Month of the Holy Rosary October 7th 7th Day.—Mary's Life in the Temple Here will I dwell, for I have chosen it. (Psalm cxxxi. 14.) 1. Let us watch this tender little maiden in her daily life in theTemple. How exact in obedience to all her superiors ! how punctual in the performance of every duty ! how full of charity to her little companions. How she delights to anticipate the wishes of those who represented Almighty God to her ! How she rejoices in the most menial offices ! How she retires during her leisure to pray in secret! When I examine my daily life, does it at all correspond to hers? (continued)

St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us. NOVENA to ST. TERESA of AVILA October 6th - October 14th Written by St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, this Novena Begins today at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Angels October 6th The Apostles must certainly have taught the early Christians to believe in angels in general, and guardian angels. In the very first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, two angels are represented as speaking to the men of Galilee who stood dumbfounded on the spot from which their Leader had ascended to heaven. In the fifth chapter of the Acts, it is reported how St. Peter and "the disciple whom Jesus loved” were arrested and jailed by the party of the Sadducees. Around midnight an angel opened the doors and let them out with the injunction to "Go, stand and speak in the Temple to the people” (5: 20). In chapter twenty-seven of the Acts, St. Luke quotes the Apostle Paul’s account of a shipwreck, in which the great missionary tells how an angel revealed to him that he and all his shipmates would be saved. "Last night,” said St. Paul to his companions on shipboard, "an angel of God I belong to and serve, stood by me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted thee all who are sailing with thee.’” ~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)

The Month of the Holy Angels October 6th The Early Christians Did the early Christians profess their faith in the existence of guardian angels? Writing to the Jewish Christians in Palestine, St. Paul made frequent references to the angelic hosts. To quote only one: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent for service, for the sake of those who shall inherit salvation”? (Heb. 1:14) Holy Mother Church has found these words so indicative of the function of the angels that she has inserted them into her Office for their feast day, October 2. (continued)

The Early Christians Did the early Christians profess their faith in the existence of guardian angels? Writing to the Jewish Christians in Palestine, St. Paul made frequent references to the angelic hosts. To quote only one: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent for service, for the sake of those who shall inherit salvation”? (Heb. 1:14) Holy Mother Church has found these words so indicative of the function of the angels that she has inserted them into her Office for their feast day, October 2. (continued)

The Early Christians Did the early Christians profess their faith in the existence of guardian angels? Writing to the Jewish Christians in Palestine, St. Paul made frequent references to the angelic hosts. To quote only one: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent for service, for the sake of those who shall inherit salvation”? (Heb. 1:14). Holy Mother Church has found these words so indicative of the function of the angels that she has inserted them into her Office for their feast day, October 2. (continued)

2 of 2 Prayer of Consecration to One's Guardian Angel Therefore, I implore thee to assist me, especially in the adoration of God and the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar; in the contemplation of the word and the salvific works of God; in the imitation of Christ and the love of His Cross in a spirit of expiation; in the faithful fulfillment of my mission within the Church, serving humbly after the example of Mary, my heavenly Mother, thy Queen. To thee, my good guardian Angel, who continually beholds the face of our Father in Heaven, wast I entrusted by God from the very beginning of my life. I thank thee with all my heart for thy loving care. I commit myself to thee and promise thee my love and fidelity. I beg thee: protect me against my own weakness and against the attacks of the wicked spirits; enlighten my mind and my heart so that I may always know and accomplish the will of God; and lead me to union with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER of CONSECRATION to ONE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL O Holy Angel of God, here, in the presence of the Triune God and in the love of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer, I, N. N., a poor sinner, desire to make a covenant with thee, His servant and my appointed Guardian, so that in union with thee, I might work with humility and fortitude for the glory of God and the coming of His Kingdom. (continued)

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)

2 of 2 6th Day.—The Presentation of Mary in the Temple 2. But she was not content with this mere offering of her heart. She must in outward act consecrate herself to God. As soon as her tiny feet could walk she was brought to the Temple by her holy parents, Joachim and Anna. With what an ecstasy of delight she must have entered into the Temple, crying out, "How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts; my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord." (Psalm lxxxiii. 1, 2.) Have I any of the same desire to consecrate my life to God? 3. Mary knew that God is not to be found inthe midst of the tumult and confusion of distracting cares, but that it is in silence and in solitude that He speaks to the heart (Osee ii. 14). She was teaching us to give, in some quiet retreat, now and again, our thoughts and our heart to God and God alone. Mary, it was thy lowliness Well pleasing to the Lord, That made thee worthy to become The Mother of the Word. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

MARIA MAGNIFICATA ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Month of the Holy Rosary October 6th 6th Day.—The Presentation of Mary in the Temple The King shall greatly desire thy beauty, for He is the Lord thy God, and Him they shall adore. (Psalm xliv. 12.) 1. Mary from the first moment of her existence offered herself to God as an entire and an unblemished holocaust. From the instant when she was conceived Immaculate the burden of her continual song was this: " I live; not I, but God Who lives in me.” Oh, glorious child, who was thus from the first a participator of the Divine Nature! (continued)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Angels October 5th The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent relates the incident. When Christ had completed His fast of forty days and nights, the devil came to try his wiles on Him. He took the Saviour to the holy city and set Him upon the pinnacle of the Temple, saying: "If Thou art the Son of God, throw Thyself down; for it is written, 'He will give His angels charge concerning thee; and upon their hands they shall bear thee up, ‘lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.’” (Cf. Matt. 4:1-11.) Satan gained nothing for himself by quoting the Psalmist. He merely showed that he was aware of the existence of guardian angels. He knew that Christ knew. At the same time, the words quoted from the psalm, neither refuted nor denied by Christ, served in later years to fortify Christian belief in the guardianship of angelic spirits. ~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)

The Month of the Holy Angels October 5th A Liar Spoke Truly Satan, himself once a great angel until he failed in the test to which God put the angelic beings, has unwittingly given testimony to the existence of guardian angels. (continued)

The Month of the Holy Angels October 5th The Angels are unspeakably lovely, they’ll have no shadow of imperfection, no defects. Nothing on this earth can possibly give us an idea of their resplendent glory. No painter, no poet, no artist ever conceived anything like them. They are living replicas of God’s beauty. Fra Angelico’s pictures of the Angels excel those of any other artist so that Michelangelo exclaimed on seeing them: “Angelico must have seen these Angels in Heaven; otherwise, he could never have painted them as he has done.” But even Angelico’s pictures do not give us the faintest idea of the real Angels. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)