Haiku My Heart

Sorrowful Mother

Arms a final cradle hold

Coldness on the land

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Day Seven of Honoring Mary

Holy Mother has been present in my life from my earliest age. From rosaries, to Holy Cards, to statues, to medals, She has always been there.

We have woven in and around each other in ways expected and then again surprising. I love the book/movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" and the abiding presence of Mary floating through the lives of the people of Cortona and the magic she works in the life of Frances Mayes.

The author, Beverly Donofrio literally rebuilt her life as she recounts her struggle for peace in her memoir, "Looking for Mary".

Reading stories of other women's struggles and recovery to the fullness of life makes me reflect on how fortunate I have been in my life. Yes, I've had dark times (particularly in my 20's) but their stories remind me of how little I've been challenged since then. I've been married for 33 years and God knows that has had a few challenges; raising two children to be accountable adults and hitting a home runner on both has been a challenge, surviving a tough job to finally arrive at the reward of a happy retirement certainly had me shedding some tears from time to time.

The sepia Madonna image just above is a surprise that was sent to me just last month from Robyn in Australia. Like Donofrio, Robyn attributes the peace in her life, that she is experiencing now, to her absolute dedication and reliance on the Virgin.

The white Madonna in my opening picture was a gift to my mother. Mom is gone now and this statue of Madonna and Child is designed to actually be a lamp that when lit emits a translucent glow.

Mary Immaculate with her arms outstretched, was a gift to me for my First Communion in second grade.

The Sacred Heart of Mary was a spontaneously given gift to me almost four years ago. I was visiting a friend in Willows, CA. Some of you may know her, Corey from Tongue in Cheek. Corey's mother is a great collector of antiques and all things wonderful. I was exploring a shed on their property filled with all sorts of stuff and there was Mary. I think she was sitting on a window sill just waiting for me. I picked her up in admiration and Delores, right on the spot, gave her to me. I treasure her.


The small polished wood Madonna and Child I found at a Hallmark shop recently. I was draw to its shine, its smooth sleekness, and the fit of it within my grasp.


To the left is a Madonna and Child vase. The vase is large enough to hold a small nosegay of violets and tea roses perhaps? It is typical 50s kitsch but the reason I picked her up (I found her on eBay) is because I have a very similar in appearance figurine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There is something very circular and complete about the two of these icons next to each other - the Mother holding the Babe and then her grown son at her side.

And finally - finally - I offer you all this

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

 

Prayer

Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception." A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.

By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.

(state your request)

Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

For more beautiful visits with Our Holy Mother, please visit HERE.

Day Six of Honoring Mary

As the seven days of honoring Mary drew to a close, I was looking through my Marian folder and found this photo of a Marian vignette I took at an antique shop in Old Clovis, CA.  I was struck by the light and how it seems to be drawing Holy Mother out of the shadows.  I titled my photo Lady of Light and then I went looking for an appropriate prayer to share here.  Imagine my surprise when I found a site devoted to Our Lady of Light.  I studied the site and found this message from Holy Mother that was received through an anonymous visionary who lives at the spiritual center dedicated to her devotion.

A Message from Our Lady of Light


Our Lady’s message to the Batavia visionary (December 29, 2003 at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center) concerning the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary:


My child, I greet you with love and send my motherly blessing to you and to all who have gathered here. I ask that you stay strong in your faith and help others whose faith has grown weak. Pray especially for those who have no one to pray for them.


Many have turned from God’s graces offered them and are lost in their doubt. If they return to the prayers of my Rosary, it will erase their doubt. Know that I will always come to the aid of those who call out to me for help through these prayers. I continually intercede to the Father for all my children so that they can be restored to His grace.


I have heard the words of your heart and I will help those you place before me, but remember that all cannot be healed as they wish, but will be healed as the Father wills it.


I ask that you review my messages given to you, and then take them into your heart. Realize that events foretold now take place and more will follow, as you were shown. Through prayer, outcomes can be changed. Pray also for the Holy Father. He moves closer to his glory. It is my hand that delivered the Church’s holy relics to this area for reasons beyond your sight. My hand also guided the Holy Father in establishing the Luminous Mysteries of my Holy Rosary. By declaring this the Year of the Most Holy Rosary, many souls have been given new light and new hope.


In your trials, go to Jesus. He awaits your surrender to Him. To suffer with Him is to have His peace within you. You are never alone. Be at peace. I will attend to your needs and will come to you when necessary. Continue to be humble of spirit and, by your example, continue to lead others to Jesus. Remain in the shadows and remain always in prayer.


I am Our Lady of Light and your Mother. Thank you for your response to my call.

********

Note regarding this apparition

Authority of the Church
Upon the approval of Pope Paul VI, on October 14, 1966, with the abolition of previous Canons 1399 and 2318 of the former Canonical Code, publications about new appearances, revelations, prophecies, miracles, etc., have been allowed to be distributed and read by the faithful without the express permission of the Church, providing they contain nothing which contravenes faith and morals. This means that no Imprimatur is necessary when distributing information on new apparitions not yet judged by the Church. (Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, S.A.S. 58 1186.)


The message contents of this website have been discerned by the Batavia visionary’s spiritual advisor and a panel of priests as containing nothing which contravenes faith and morals.

Day Five of Honoring Mary

On this day five of honoring Mary, I moved in a different direction and feature here a photo of my mother in the arms of her mother.  My grandmother's name was Marie Bottiglieri and I never had a chance to know her.  She was 33 when she died in 1933.  My mother was 13 years old when she lost her.

I've always felt a sort of attachment to my grandmother.  It's complicated by the fact that my mother's life would have been very different had she not died.  But, thinking on that, that difference would likely have sent my mother in another direction and I would have never been.

We truly are here at the will of chance.  My father was on the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor right next to the USS Arizona.  My grandmother died young.  A death nine years before a random chance of death that ended up in life for my father, finally brought the two of them together in 1946.  And, here I am.

I like to think that my grandmother, Marie, was devoted to Our Lady and that she was called home early so that the greater plan of me and my own children would be accomplished as chance played out its part in the destinies of my parents.

For more of honoring Mary, please click here.