Virgo Potens

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 17th 17th DAY How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know, that I must be about the things that are My Father's? Luke 2:49 THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES Mary's keeping of ''all these words in her heart" had not been in vain. Her years of meditation and daily experience with her Divine Son had taught her that the great purpose of His earthly sojourn was to make atonement to His heavenly Father for the sins of mankind; and in that atonement she was to be Co-Redemptrix. Pain and suffering and rejection and death were to be the portion of Jesus; and Mary's, the immolation of her heart, and the ''sword of grief" foretold by the aged Simeon, was to be driven to the very hilt into her spotless soul. With the death of St. Joseph and the desolate void in her heart created by the loss of his kindly companionship the realization sank deeper and deeper into her mind that soon she was to be deprived also of that other more intimate companionship, that, namely, of Jesus, who has now in reality to give himself up entirely to "the things of His Father." He was to be the victim she, the constant, sympathetic, super-suffering witness of His trials and death. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 17th DAY How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know, that I must be about the things that are My Father's? Luke 2:49

HYMN Now are the days of humblest pray'r When consciences to God lie bare, And mercy most delights to spare. Chorus:— O hearken when we cry, Chastise us with Thy fear Yet, Father, in the multitude Of Thy compassions hear. Now is the season, wisely long, Of sadder thought and graver song When ailing hearts grow well and strong. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

HYMN Now are the days of humblest pray 'r When consciences to God lie bare, And mercy most delights to spare. Chorus:— O hearken when we cry, Chastise us with Thy fear Yet, Father, in the multitude Of Thy compassions hear. Now is the season, wisely long, Of sadder thought and graver song When ailing hearts grow well and strong. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 16th 16th DAY And He went down with them and came to Nazareth; and was subject to them. And His mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and age and grace with God and men. Luke 2:51-52. A RÉSUMÉ From the "Finding in the Temple" until the beginning of His public life—a period of about eighteen years—Jesus, Mary and Joseph dwelt happily together in the little home at Nazareth. Sometime before the beginning of His public life His Foster-Father, St. Joseph, breathed out his soul while his head was pillowed on the breast of Jesus. And the last lingering gaze of his eyes beheld the sweet encouragement of Mary's tearful countenance smiling upon him. During those years Mary and Joseph had pondered over the marvelous prophesies revealed to them, and that daily experience was unfolding before them. The joys of Mary's young motherhood were now over, except in the sacred memories they had traced upon her mind and heart, and with the departure of St. Joseph the "Shadow of the Cross that had lain athwart the crib of Bethlehem" began to deepen and darken and to penetrate more closely the shelter of her home. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 16th DAY And He went down with them and came to Nazareth; and was subject to them. And His mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and age and grace with God and men. Luke 2:51-52.

HYMN O Mother, dry those bitter tears! O Mother, grieve no more! Thy Child, thy Jesus is not lost, That weary search is o'er; To do His Father's work, He chose Among the scribes to be; But now returns to dwell for years With Joseph and with thee. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 15th 15th DAY And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and answering them questions. Luke 2:46. THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE As we recite the final decade of the JOYFUL mysteries our attention is arrested by the wonderful picture presented to our minds. There is the Boy—JESUS—surrounded by the learned doctors of sacred scripture. After their three days of weary and sorrowful search for Him, the ears of Joseph and Mary are blessed with the music of His voice answering with wisdom the questions of His seniors; and their eyes are dififused with tears of gladness at the renewed vision of His divine face. If grief over His loss was bitter to the hearts of Joseph and Mary, with what refreshing sweetness has His Finding in the Temple comforted them? The search was long and weary and sorrowful, the finding, replete with joy and comfort. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 15th DAY And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and answering them questions. Luke 2:46.

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 14th 14th DAY And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother: behold this child is set for the ruin, and for the resurrection of many in Israel. Luke 2:34 THE PRESENTATION Let us concentrate our minds with ever increasing devotion upon the picture conjured up before our imaginations by the thought of the presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple! The holy old man Simeon is there to receive Him in his arms, and while fondling Him to his bosom, he gives utterance to the canticle: —''Nunc dimittis'' —''Now dost Thou dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace.” Read the expression in Mary's eyes as she hopefully searches the countenance of Simeon eagerly but respectfully following his prophetic message, which she and Joseph treasure in their hearts and ponder over in their thoughts! The life-long desire of Simeon's expectancy is gratified; the future greatness of the Child is foretold; the hearts of Mary and Joseph exult; and as we tell our beads are not our own hearts touched with a tremor of holy and responsive emotion? ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 14th DAY And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother: behold this child is set for the ruin, and for the resurrection of many in Israel. Luke 2:34

HYMN Once in Royal David's city, Stood a lonely cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby, With a manger for his hed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ, her only child. He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall. With the poor and meek and lowly Lived on earth, Our Savior holy. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 13th 13th DAY And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 THE NATIVITY The picture of Mary and Joseph kneeling in adoration and the ox and ass lending the warmth of their breath to comfort the new born Babe of Bethlehem can never fail to arouse within us the deepest emotions of gratitude and love towards the Infant Savior. The meekness and dependence of the Holy Infant awakens within us a heaven-born desire to aid and console His Mother and St. Joseph in their tender efforts to care for and protect Him. The cruelty of the inn which excluded them from its shelter stirs us to just indignation; but the gentleness and submission of Mary and Joseph elicit from us an act of faith and resignation. Not the grandeur of this world, but the unending bliss of heaven is the portion of those who adore at the crib of Bethlehem. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 13th DAY And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

HYMN Whither thus in holy rapture Princely Maiden art thou bent? Why so fleetly art thou speeding Up the mountain's rough ascent? Filled with the eternal God-head Glowing with the Spirit's flame! Love it is that bears thee forward, And supports thy tender frame. Lo ! thine aged cousin claims thee Claims thy sympathy and care; God her shame from her hath taken; He hath heard her fervent prayer. Blessed Mother! joyful meeting! Thou in her, the hand of God, She in thee, with lips inspired Owns the “Mother of her Lord.” ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 12th 12th DAY And whence is this to me that the Mother of My Lord should come to me? Luke 1:43 THE VISITATION As we picture the meeting of St. Elizabeth and our Blessed Lady we must be deeply impressed with the unselfish charity of our Mother Mary! The most unique gift granted by God to mortal woman was now possessed by Mary, the most sublime of all dignity is hers. After a thanksgiving of unparalleled fervor Mary promptly sets out on a visit of charity and felicitation to the expectant mother of John the Baptist. Not Mary, but Heaven reveals to St. Elizabeth the truth that Mary is the Mother of God! Mary had come to diffuse her kindly aid and sweet benediction upon Elizabeth, not to parade her own unapproachable excellence. Her humility shrank from the latter, her charity prompted the former. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 12th DAY And whence is this to me that the Mother of My Lord should come to me? Luke 1:43

HYMN What mortal tongue can sing thy praise, Dear Mother of the Lord? To Angels only it belongs Thy glory to record. Who born of man can penetrate Thy soul's majestic shrine? Who can thy mighty gifts unfold, Or rightly them divine? Say, Virgin, what sweet force was that Which from the Father's breast, Drew forth His co-eternal Son, To be thy bosom's guest? 'Twas not thy guileless faith alone That lifted thee so high, 'Twas not thy pure seraphic love Nor peerless chastity. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 11th 11th DAY 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)

1 of 2 11th DAY 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