Welcome

Our Lady of America and the Present U.S. Situation

Written by Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner, F.I. Saturday, 07 November 2009 00:00

The following article is a homily delivered on August 5, 2006 by Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner, of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, on the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. It was delivered at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. – Ed.

Our Lady of America. This is the title by which the Virgin Mother, in a series of private revelations and apparitions to Sr. Mary Ephrem Neuzil (1916-2000) of the Congregation of Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, indicated how she wished to be known and honored in the United States, first of all in the Basilica-sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., national Shrine of Mary for the United States, and then in the entire American nation, as it were the connatural extension of this Marian sanctuary under this title.

These revelations, locutions and apparitions began about 1938 and ended in 1984. The central ones, however, which concern the title Our Lady of America and the request that the Virgin Coredemptrix made of the Catholic bishops and of the entire nation, occurred over a six year period about a half-century ago, from 1954 through 1959.

Read more: Our Lady of America and the Present U.S. Situation

Purgatory, Part One

Written by Anne, a Lay Apostle Saturday, 07 November 2009 00:00

The following text concerning purgatory comes from visions recounted in Mist of Mercy by "Anne," a lay apostle. She has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O’Reilly, for the distribution of messages which she receives from Jesus, God the Father, Our Blessed Mother, the angels and saints (see article, "Discernment of Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King," Marian Private Revelation section). This is part one of a two part series.
– Ed.

May 26, 2006

Jesus

"There is an attempt to obscure the reality of the next life, life eternal. For this reason, many souls do not accept that they have an inheritance awaiting them. Poor souls. How discouraging for them to labor and suffer without understanding the purpose. Is it any wonder there is such an attempt to discover substitutes for true peace? My apostles understand that there is no value in being too comfortable in an earthly body because they will one day relinquish it. The body is not a god, for all the enemy would like to portray it as such. Each body is a creation of the Father. Each soul is a creation of the Father. Humanity, precious humanity, I want you to understand that you are cherished. I, Jesus, love you and cherish you. My enemy does not feel this way. My enemy seeks to hurt you. Do not reject Me. Spend time in silence, considering the remainder of your days on earth and how you would like to conduct yourself. The enemy cannot promise you that you will live forever. Only I can make that promise and only through Me will you find the Father, the One who loves you. Have no fear when considering the next life, regardless of your sins. If you repent, you will be saved. It is that simple. Repent and you will be saved. You will find a welcome in My Kingdom because My Kingdom is your home. Be at peace, little soul. I am with you. I will take care of you."

Read more: Purgatory, Part One

The Concept of Redemption and Co-redemption During the "Golden Age" of Spanish Theology and Mariology

Written by Fr. Enrique Llamas, OCD Saturday, 07 November 2009 00:00

I. Introduction 

1.1 During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries strong controversy occurred over the nature and forms of redemption, and also over that of Marian co-redemption, principally in Spain where for many years lively disputes continued over the Immaculate Conception. The goal of these controversies was above all the definition and clarification of the concept of redemption, so as to explain adequately the meaning and content of the work of Jesus Christ, universal Redeemer.

Alongside this, there was an important secondary intention as well. On the one hand the theologians and mariologists sought to introduce into the clarification a concept and type of redemption which did not have sin in itself, either committed or contracted, as its proper object or matter, and thus to make that concept compatible with, and applicable to a person such as the Immaculate Virgin who had not been touched in any way by sin.

Further, these theologians aimed at perfecting a concept of redemption not absolutely exclusive to the Son of God, Savior and Redeemer of mankind, but which would admit a contribution, or collaboration on the part of the creature as well. The basis and the reason for so nuancing the concept of redemption was precisely to render it compatible with the teaching long since traditional in the Church since the time of St. Irenaeus, viz., with the efficacious collaboration of the Virgin Mary, the New Eve, in the redemption of men. 

Read more: The Concept of Redemption and Co-redemption During the "Golden Age" of Spanish Theology and Mariology

Of the Dolours of Mary

Written by St. Alphonsus de Liguori Saturday, 07 November 2009 00:00

This is part one of an eight part series on the Seven Sorrows of Mary by St. Alphonsus de Liguori taken from the "The Glories of Mary" -  Asst. Ed.

DISCOURSE IX

Mary was the Queen of Martyrs for her martyrdom was longer and greater than that of all the Martyrs.

Who can ever have a heart so hard that it will not melt on hearing the most lamentable event which once occurred in the world? There was a noble and holy Mother who had an only Son. This Son was the most amiable that can be imagined - innocent, virtuous, beautiful, who loved His Mother most tenderly; so much so that He had never caused her the least dis­pleasure, but had ever shown her all respect, obedience, and affection : hence this Mother had placed all her affections on earth in this Son. Hear, then, what hap­pened. This Son, through envy, was falsely accused by His enemies; and though the judge knew, and himself confessed, that He was innocent, yet, that he might not offend His enemies, he condemned Him to the ignominious death that they had demanded. This poor Mother had to suffer the grief of seeing that amiable and beloved Son unjustly snatched from her in the flower of His age by a barbarous death; for, by dint of torments and drained of all His blood, He was made to die on an infamous gibbet in a public place of execution, and this before her own eyes.

Read more: Of the Dolours of Mary

The Pope of Mary Co-redemptrix

Written by Mark Miravalle Saturday, 07 November 2009 00:00

In witnessing to most every aspect of the story of Mary Co-redemptrix, John Paul II, the "Totus Tuus" Pope, exceeded all papal predecessors. The quantity of such testimonies is vast; their depth profound; their love inspired.

As if before a wine cellar full of extraordinary wines, we do not have the opportunity to taste and appreciate every teaching of Pope John Paul concerning his Mother Co-redemptrix. (1) Rather, let us offer some of his most exceptional.

Read more: The Pope of Mary Co-redemptrix

Pope John Paul II to the Legion of Mary

Written by Pope John Paul II Saturday, 07 November 2009 00:00

Part of an address delivered by the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, to a group of Italian legionaries on 30th October 1982

1. My welcome is addressed to each and every one of you. It is reason for joy for me to see you in this hall in such great numbers from various regions of Italy, more so in that you are only a small part of that apostolic movement, that in the span of sixty years has rapidly spread in the world and today, two years from the death of its founder, Frank Duff, is present in so many dioceses in the universal Church.

My predecessors, beginning with Pius XI, have addressed words of appreciation to the Legion of Mary, and I myself on 10 May 1979, when receiving one of your first delegations, recalled with great pleasure the occasions I had previously had to come in contact with the Legion, in Paris, Belgium and Poland, and then, as Bishop of Rome, in the course of my pastoral visits to the parishes of the city.

Today, therefore, as I receive in audience the Italian pilgrimage of your movement, I would like to emphasise those aspects which constitute the substance of your spirituality and your modus essendi within the Church.

Read more: Pope John Paul II to the Legion of Mary