Virgo Potens

2 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 6th HISTORICAL CONSPECTUS OF THE DEVOTION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART (continued) Especially in our own time we see souls drawn to their Maker through the flowering of a devotion which has its roots in the distant past. Partly because we find so little on the history of this devotion in the English tongue, and partly because an understanding of the development of this great devotion through the centuries will better lead us to a realization of its precise theological meaning, we have attempted to offer a brief but complete survey of the growth of the devotion down through the years. The cycles or periods in the history of the devotion as outlined by Fr. Giovanni Postius, C.M.F.,1 and adopted by several other contemporary authors are, first, the Cycle of Tradition, of private devotion or germination, divided into the biblical, patristic, and transitional age; and the Legal Cycle, or that of public and liturgical devotion, subdivided into the age of preparation, age of privilege, and age of triumph, which last subdivision brings us up to the present day. Our outline will be for the most part a purely chronological one, and therefore not entirely different from the very satisfactory division outlined above. However, because the progress of the devotion was not a balanced and regular process down through the centuries, but rather a somewhat spontaneous development according to God's plan and coming out of a deeper understanding of the prerogatives of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it will perhaps depict the growth of the devotion in truer perspective to consider it primarily under purely chronological divisions. Unlike many other aspects of Mariology, we find here no beginning with the Council of Ephesus and gradual unfolding of the theological implications with each age making its contribution. We see rather how truths contained in the original deposit of faith are brought to the attention of the world, not in early decades, but years later, at a time when they seem most needed in our own day. —— 1 G. Postius, "H Culto del Cuore Immacolato di Maria Attraverso i Secoli," // Cuore Immacolato Di Maria (Corso di conferenze tenute durante la settirnana di studi Mariani organizzata dalla Lega Mariana Sacerdotale; Nov. 11-19, 1945), Rome, 1946, p. 31 ff. ~ Fr. John F. Murphy, Mary’s Immaculate Heart. (1951)

Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 6th CHAPTER ONE HISTORICAL CONSPECTUS OF THE DEVOTION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART IN THE history of the Church we find that God in His wisdom and goodness has inspired and directed the minds of men to the clarification of various points of revelation. One after another in a pattern fully understood only by God these treasures have been brought to the fore by saint and scholar, considered profoundly, and submitted to the infallible magisterium of the Church. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the Church has investigated and explained century after century the many secrets of the Godhead hidden in the depths of Christian revelation. Through this unfolding of the ineffable truths of revelation souls are drawn to God, the source of every good. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 5th That our procedure is logical is perhaps better shown from the fact that devotion is, as we shall see, an act, an attitude, of will. Nothing however is willed unless it be known. Hence, in explaining devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we must know not only the object of this devotion and its end, but we must also consider the existence of this object. Hence we will treat of the history of the devotion (an sit), and of its object and end (quid sit). In concluding our work we shall point out the excellence of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart as the synthesis of Marian doctrine and the crown of Marian devotions (quomodo sit). In view of such a consideration we hope that the place of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart in Marian veneration and in the entire Christian pattern will be made more evident, and that with a fuller understanding and deeper love men might say: "Queen of the Most Holy Rosary . . . we . . . consecrate ourselves forever . . . to Thee and to Thy Immaculate Heart, our Mother, Queen of the World, that thy love and patronage may hasten the triumph of the Kingdom of God, and that all nations, at peace with one another and with God, may proclaim thee blessed and with thee may raise their voices to resound from pole to pole, in the chant of the everlasting Magnificat of glory, love, and gratitude to the Heart of Jesus, where they alone can find truth and life and peace.” 5 —— 5 Excerpt from the formula of consecration of the world, AAS, Vol. XXXIV, 1942, p. 345. ~ Fr. John F. Murphy, Mary’s Immaculate Heart. (1951)

1 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 5th In the next section of our work we shall investigate the devotion in its final cause, which ultimately is of course to glorify God, but more proximately to unite us to Him through Mary's Heart. We honor Mary as the image of her Creator, reflecting in her Heart the glory of Christ's own Sacred Heart. The meaning and purpose of our devotion to Mary and imitation of her in this particular veneration is best realized in the Acts of Consecration and Reparation which we shall consider in the last part of this section of our treatise. (continued)

❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ •°❀°•❀ Dear Friends, Good morning! I apologize for any confusion about where things now are. Here is this month’s Menu (so far): ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ •°❀°•❀ Menu of Topics for Posts Month of the Immaculate Heart August 2024 Virgo Potens Reading/meditation from Mary's Immaculate Heart ~ Fr. John F. Murphy (1951) https://t.me/Virgo_Potens Defende Nos in Prœlio Prayers/aspirations: https://t.me/Defende_nos Chantbird’s Garden Hymns and poems https://t.me/chantbirds_garden_of_song Catholic Universe Collects, Gospels, The garden of the soul : or, A manual of spiritual exercises and instructions for Christians who (living in the world) aspire to devotion (1775) ~ Richard Challoner, Bishop of Derba (1691-1781) https://t.me/Catholic_Universe One, Holy, Catholic Reading/meditation from The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God ~ St. John Eudes (1601-1680) https://t.me/one_holy_catholic Christus Regnat Church History, information about saints and feasts, Novenas to Saints https://t.me/RexUniversi ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ •°❀°•❀ I hope that this helps! chantbird ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ •°❀°•❀

2 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 4th The principal efficient cause of the devotion is of course the providence of God. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in whose wisdom and under whose guidance this particular veneration has been brought about, we find a devotion both supernaturally efficacious and humanly appealing. As a secondary efficient cause, however, we acknowledge the fostering of the devotion through the efforts of men. Therefore in the first part of our discussion we shall make a brief but relatively complete survey of the origins and development of the devotion as effected through the instrumentality of various saints, theological writers, and Church authorities. Thus we shall investigate the history of this devotion. In the second part of our study we shall consider the devotion in itself, examining its intrinsic nature. We shall investigate the meaning of cult, devotion, and hyperdulia, and in the light of the papal instruction on how in this devotion we honor Mary's Heart, 4 we shall see what distinguishes this particular Marian veneration from all others—namely, the recognition of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the symbol of our Lady's extraordinary sanctity and especially her love. We shall investigate also, in connection with the heart, the nature of symbolism and how in our devotion the symbol of the heart is to be understood. —— 4 Pius XII, AAS, Vol. XXXVII, 1945, p. SO. ~ Fr. John F. Murphy, Mary’s Immaculate Heart. (1951)

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. 1 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 4th In making our work a scientific study we shall logically proceed to consider the devotion in its fundamental causes. De facto the devotion exists and is flourishing; we will examine its nature therefore by a consideration of its causes. (continued)

2 of 2 Most holy Virgin and our Mother, we listen with grief to the complaints of thine Immaculate Heart surrounded with the thorns which ungrateful men place therein at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Moved by the ardent desire of loving thee as our Mother and of promoting a true devotion to thine Immaculate Heart, we prostrate ourselves at thy feet to prove the sorrow we feel for the grievances that men cause thee, and to atone, by means of our prayers and sacrifices, for the offenses with which men return thy tender love. Obtain for them and for us the pardon of sko many sins. A word from thee will obtain grace and amendment for us all. Hasten, O Lady, the conversion of sinners, that they may love Jesus and cease to offend the Lord, already so much offended, and will not fall into hell. Turn thine eyes of mercy towards us, that henceforth we may love God with all our hearts while on earth and enjoy Him forever in heaven. Amen.

1 of 2 ACT of REPARATION to the IMMACULATE HEART of MARY

2 of 2 ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ •°❀°•❀ THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS MARY’S GREAT PROMISE AT FATIMA (continued from above) This devotion and the wonderful promises connected with it were revealed by the Blessed Virgin with these words recorded by Lucy, one of the three children to whom the Blessed Virgin appeared at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917: I promise to help at the hour of death, with the graces needed for salvation, whoever on the First Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Confess and receive Holy Communion. 2. Recite five decades of the Rosary. 3. And keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me. NOTE: Confession during the week, preceding the first Friday, will suffice for the first Saturday, or conversely when Saturday is the first day of the month. The Rosary May be recited at any convenient time of the day, and the fifteen minute meditation may be made at any time during the day on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. A sermon for the occasion may be substituted for the meditation. ~ St. Joseph Daily Missal (1950) ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ •°❀°•❀

FIRST SATURDAY of AUGUST 💙 1 of 2 ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ •°❀°•❀ THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS MARY’S GREAT PROMISE AT FATIMA THE observance of the First Saturday in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is intended to console her Immaculate Heart, and to make reparation for all the blasphemies and ingratitude of men. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 3rd Some of the external and more obvious reasons why this devotion is today of great significance are readily understood. The Christian world turns instinctively to Mary in time of tribulation. Further, the will of God in the spreading of the devotion is clearly manifest in the teaching authority of the Church.2 The innumerable reasons for a new particular veneration of Mary's Immaculate Heart will unfold themselves as we consider this devotion in the body of the ensuing study.3. However it will be well to mention two things preliminary to our discussion—first, what justifies our present treatise and, secondly, how we shall develop it. Truly, in cases of sound devotional or theological writings the adage "de Maria nunquam satis" will be challenged by none of her children; however, beyond this, one of the principal reasons for our present emphasis is the fact that God in His providential goodness has instilled in the souls of many of the faithful the desire to venerate His Blessed Mother in the devotion to her Immaculate Heart. Especially in English-speaking countries, where this veneration is seen as one of the great forces counteracting secularism, there is need for further explanation of the doctrinal basis of the growing devotion. It would be most unjust to say Mary's Heart is less honored by Catholics in these countries than elsewhere, yet it must be admitted that we find in the English tongue no excess of devotional, and a definitely limited amount of doctrinal explanations and treatises on the Immaculate Heart. Therefore in partial answer to a very evident need we shall endeavor to supply an explanation of the doctrinal and dogmatic foundations of this great devotion. 2 Pius XII, AAS, Vol. XXXVII, 1945, pp. 50, 51. 3 The attention of the faithful has been drawn to the devotion also through the apparitions of our Blessed Mother at Fatima. These have enjoyed ecclesiastical approbation since October 30, 1930. ~ Fr. John F. Murphy, Mary’s Immaculate Heart. (1951)

2 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 3rd Some of the external and more obvious reasons why this devotion is today of great significance are readily understood. The Christian world turns instinctively to Mary in time of tribulation. Further, the will of God in the spreading of the devotion is clearly manifest in the teaching authority of the Church.2 The innumerable reasons for a new particular veneration of Mary's Immaculate Heart will unfold themselves as we consider this devotion in the body of the ensuing study. However it will be well to mention two things preliminary to our discussion—first, what justifies our present treatise and, secondly, how we shall develop it. Truly, in cases of sound devotional or theological writings the adage "de Maria nunquam satis" will be challenged by none of her children; however, beyond this, one of the principal reasons for our present emphasis is the fact that God in His providential goodness has instilled in the souls of many of the faithful the desire to venerate His Blessed Mother in the devotion to her Immaculate Heart. Especially in English-speaking countries, where this veneration is seen as one of the great forces counteracting secularism, there is need for further explanation of the doctrinal basis of the growing devotion. It would be most unjust to say Mary's Heart is less honored by Catholics in these countries than elsewhere, yet it must be admitted that we find in the English tongue no excess of devotional, and a definitely limited amount of doctrinal explanations and treatises on the Immaculate Heart. Therefore in partial answer to a very evident need we shall endeavor to supply an explanation of the doctrinal and dogmatic foundations of this great devotion. 2 Pius XII, AAS, Vol. XXXVII, 1945, pp. 50, 51. 3 The attention of the faithful has been drawn to the devotion also through the apparitions of our Blessed Mother at Fatima. These have enjoyed ecclesiastical approbation since October 30, 1930. ~ Fr. John F. Murphy, Mary’s Immaculate Heart. (1951)

1 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 3rd The human will, however, is not moved to sincere acts of veneration unless the intellect first presents reasons for respect, esteem, and love. In the veneration of Mary's Immaculate Heart then, before we can render our Lady the full honor and love our Lord wishes, we must understand the excellencies and significance of her Heart. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 2nd To us Mary is our Mother and our Queen. Christ has given her to us as among His greatest gifts and it is His wish that we honor her as He honors her and love her even as He loves her. As Mary among all creatures held and will hold forever the first place in the Sacred Heart of Christ, so also Christ wishes that next to our love for Him and our worship of the triune God His Blessed Mother should be the principal object of our devotion. To honor Mary is not simply to do Christ's will, for because of the union of Mother and Son, to honor Mary is to honor our Lord Himself. To know, love, and serve Mary is to know, love, and serve Christ. ~ Fr. John F. Murphy, Mary’s Immaculate Heart. (1951)

1 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 2nd To Mary, indeed, men have turned for their greatest inspiration. It is she who has occasioned our greatest art and much of our best literature. But immeasurably greater than all these things, it is she who has inspired our greatest saints and who as Mother of all men and Refuge of sinners has led countless souls to Christ. Without question, after the example of Christ, she is the greatest external grace the human soul encounters throughout life. But more than this, she is the Mediatrix of all graces. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 1st Down through the centuries the best minds of Christianity have sung the praises and excellencies of Mary, ". . . all generations shall call her blessed, the Mother of God, the Mistress of the world, the Queen of Heaven . . . who has given life and glory to all generations. For in her the angels find joy, the just grace, and the sinners forgiveness. Deservedly the eyes of all creatures are turned toward her, because in her, by her, and from her the benign hand of the Almighty re-created that which He had already created."1 1 St. Bernard, In Festo Pentecost., Sermo III (PL, 183, 328). ~ Fr. John F. Murphy, Mary’s Immaculate Heart. (1951)

1 of 2 Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 1st INTRODUCTION AS IN her mortal life, so also in the science of Sacred Theology the Mother of God is associated always with Christ. She forms with Him the foundation and cornerstone as well as the capstone of the economy of salvation. She not only brought the Incarnate Word into the world, she intimately shared in the work He came to accomplish, the redemption of men. Because of the full implications of her relationship with God and men she occupies a unique and exalted place in the dogma and liturgy of the Church and in the entire divine plan of Creation. (continued)