I think one thing I have found about Our Blessed Mother. The Church reminds us that she is Our Mother, that we are her children and that she loves us. But I think , looking back on it, like many Catholics, in the back of my mind somewhere I was thinking that this was nice thought but impossible. That, yes in some kind of vague, general way she did love us and was Our Mother. But very,very vaguely and very, very generally. In the same sense as we might say that a certain President or King was, 'Father of the Nation'. Not in the same sense as we talk of our own physical mother loving us. But really to my astonishment I have found, that yes she loves us as individuals. She does know us personally and a thousand times even more than our own physical mothers ever did or could. That she has a heart big enough to take in the Entire Universe. This is totally the opposite way Modernist Theologians, Clergy and Laity look at things. To them God and Our Blessed Lady are kind of remote and way up there. Deus ex Machina. This is why Our Blessed Lady is such a perfect antidote to the heresies of our times. She does not call us back to the true path with great intellectual arguments. She simply calls us back by reminding us that she loves us; by giving us a big loving hug. It seems such a little thing. But there is nothing so powerful as a Mothers love..and she gives it in spades. What is more wonderful than a loving hug to melt our hardened hearts.
I was thinking about about Our Blessed Lady last night and her Robes, the deep blue ones with Golden Stars and suddenly the thought came to me that I had seen her dressed like this before. In the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, said to have been painted from life by St Luke himself.
Padraig I just came across this post. For the past three weeks "O Mary Conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee!" has been running through my thoughts and coming to me in prayer at night so I was surprised when I read what you wrote. Although I rely daily on the Blessed Mother's intercession its not a prayer common for me to pray. I'm wondering what this means
Hi 333. Have you ever heard Roy Schoeman's conversion story? It includes a vision where our Lady shared that the favorite prayer addressed to her is: O Mary Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee! See the 17 minute mark and following! O I'm sorry he doesn't go into all the details, but it's still great.
I have been thinking a lot about this prayer and why it might be Our Lady's favourite. It maybe because it refers to the her as the Immaculate Conception and this is the doorway of Prevenient grace through which all else follows. She could not have been the Mother of God without this. So it cuts to the heart of all else that followed. It is so natural then that she should celebrate this and wish that we should celebrate it to. It is also perhaps the most powerful Marian prayer against Satan there is. I notice in the Spiritual life often a certain synchronocity or beat or rythmn which plays over and over again to get our attention. A for instance say you go into a Church you have never been before and see a Statue, say, of St Martin De Porres. Then a little later on utube appears on the life of the saint. Then someone hands you a book on him and so on. Sometimes I think heaven nudges you in certain directions for its own reasons.
Thank you. Its been 12 years but its always with us. He is safe now with Mother Mary so that is a huge huge comfort.
I wonder how people without Faith cope? The answer, I suppose is that they don't. You have a wonderful Faith.
Our Holy Mother has been very good to me through all the years. Everything is from her. I would not have made it through that ordeal on my own. She was right there. Palpably present, helping me. She showed me very powerfully that he was safe with her. I just heard a quote from St Therese. God does not desire great deeds. He desires compete surrender and child like trust. Neither is easy. Sigh.
I had a thought that came to me last night and which comes from time to time and is, I suppose a temptation. The thought was that my entire spiritual understanding was a lie and I am nothing but a bag of pride and well on the road to hell. This can be very forceful as if I was do bad how would I know? Especially as I live on my own and have no one to rebuke me. But then the thought came to simply pray for others, which I did . This brought great peace as I thought at least I could help save others from hell even if I cannot save myself. Great peace and joy. I think looking within is good, but that there can be an unhealthy gaze This is the Temptation to Despair which dying people get .
I think often with New Age practices there is often too much emphasis in gazing within. Helping others is a great cure ❤ I envy married people for this. It strikes me that marriage is all about the other, not the self.
Thank you! I need to make a note of this both my parents are elderly and I would love to be able to say these prayers for/with them
This is my most favorite picture or Our Lady and Jesus. I went through a very dark time in my life and was away from the church and one day - idk why- I stopped at a church in the middle of the day and the doors were unlocked and no one was inside (this never happens anymore all the churches doors are locked except for 45 min before mass). I walked in and sat in one of the pews and there was a statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I’m sure I just imagined it but she seemed to look at me and smile, her hand reaching out to bring me closer to Her Son. I went back many times and would just sit and look at her. Always the church doors were unlocked. I began pouring my heart out to her and Jesus in the tabernacle and began finding peace. I began returning to weekly mass and the sacraments and didn’t stop as much to visit. One day I was driving by and thought I will stop in to see Our Lady and Her Son and the doors were locked and have been locked ever since. I have no idea why they were unlocked during my dark times other than Our Lady knew I needed her gentle help and guidance.
