Volume V, Issue 8, March 21, 2008

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- 5th Marian Dogma is "Nothing New," says Cardinal Aponte Martínez by Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez
- Mary Co-redemptrix: The Beloved Associate of Chris, Part II by Msgr. Arthur Burton Calkins
- "Sit Quietly While I Minister to Your Soul and Heal Your Wounds by "Anne," a Lay Apostle
- Our Lady's Bird is Our Ladybug by Br. John M. Samaha, S.M.
- "I Suffered with My Son Spiritually, and, Above All, Bodily" by the Lady of All Nations
- Beware of Messages from Heaven: An Anti-Catholic Polemic in Disguise by Kevin Clarke
- The Resurrected Jesus Visits Mary by Maria Valtorta

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- 5th Marian Dogma is "Nothing New," says Cardinal Aponte Martínez by Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez

The following is a re-print of a March 18, 2008, interview conducted by Zenit Catholic News Service with Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez regarding the new effort to get cardinals and bishops throughout the world to send petitions to Pope Benedict XVI requesting the solemn definition of the dogma of Mary’s spiritual maternity.
—Asst. Ed.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—By declaring Mary the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, Benedict XVI wouldn't be saying anything new about her, only clarifying her role in salvation, says Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez.

The retired archbishop of San Juan is one of the five cardinal co-sponsors of the 2005 International Symposium on Marian Co-redemption, held in Fatima, that are asking Benedict XVI to declare a fifth Marian dogma.

The petition urges the Pope to proclaim Mary "the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, the Co-redemptrix with Jesus the redeemer, Mediatrix of all graces with Jesus the one mediator, and Advocate with Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race."

In this interview with ZENIT, Cardinal Aponte discusses his views in favor of the proposed dogma.

Your Eminence, what has led you to take a leadership role in the present petition to Benedict XVI for this new Marian dogma?

Cardinal Aponte: Our Lady has always been a source of particular strength and the object of particular love for me. These roles of the Blessed Virgin as our spiritual mother have always been part of our Catholic tradition. For Latin American Catholics, it is all contained in her manifestation as Our Lady of Guadalupe who shows herself as a merciful mother, ready to intercede for us in our gravest needs, and to use her maternal intercession to bring us closer to Jesus.

I first spoke of the importance of this dogma to my brother cardinals in the presence of Pope John Paul II in Rome in 2002. There I related this Marian proclamation to the Church’s new evangelization. As the first great evangelization of Latin America was led by Our Lady of Guadalupe, so should the Mother of Christ be invoked to lead this new evangelization of the third millennium.

The solemn definition of her motherly roles as co-redemptrix, mediatrix, and advocate will simply release Our Lady all the more to perform these motherly functions of intercession for our age for the maximum effectiveness in leading a new evangelization.

There are new times for the world and the Church. Just imagine how much Our Lady can help us in the new evangelization and with other elements of difficulty and crisis in our present age if we solemnly acknowledge her in these God-given roles of intercession for humanity.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1263

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- Mary Co-redemptrix: The Beloved Associate of Chris, Part II by Msgr. Arthur Burton Calkins

The following article is the second part of an excerpt from a chapter in the recently published Marian anthology, Mariology: A Guide for Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, and Consecrated Persons, Seat of Wisdom Books, A Division of Queenship, 2008. Fifteen international Mariology experts contributed to the text. The book features a foreword by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke and has 17 chapters divided into four parts: 1. Mary in Scripture and the Early Church; 2. Marian Dogma; 3. Marian Doctrine; and 4. Marian Liturgy and Devotion. The book will be available from Queenship Publications in mid-February.
--Asst. Ed.

The Situation on the Eve of the Second Vatican Council

First, it must be remembered that the Second Vatican Council was convoked just at a time when Marian doctrine and piety had reached an apex (98), which had been building on a popular level since the apparition of Our Lady to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830 (99) and on the magisterial level since the time of the dogmatic definition of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1854 (100). This Marian orientation had accelerated notably during the 19-year reign of the Servant of God Pope Pius XII (1939-1958) with the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 31, 1942 (101), the dogmatic definition of the Assumption of Our Lady on November 1, 1950 (102), the establishment of the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1944 (103) and of the Queenship of Mary in the Marian Year of 1954 (104).

Secondly, and as a consequence of this comprehensive "Marian movement," much study, discussion and debate had been devoted to Mary’s role in salvation history, specifically to the topics of coredemption and mediation. These scholarly deliberations were largely occasioned by the initiatives undertaken by Cardinal Désiré Joseph Mercier (1851-1926) in favor of the proclamation of Our Lady as Mediatrix of all graces (105), and continued until the International Mariological Congress held at Lourdes in 1958. These disputes are carefully chronicled and analyzed in Juniper Carol’s masterful study on "Our Lady’s Coredemption" which appears in the three-volume Mariology (106). Major adversaries were Professors Werner Goosens and Heinrich Lennerz, S.J. Goosens argued against the incompatibility of secondary mediators and redeemers with Christ as the "One Mediator" according to 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (107), a matter which had already been addressed and clarified by St. Thomas Aquinas (108) and Pope Leo XIII in his Encyclical Letter Fidentem Piumque of September 20, 1896 (109).

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1262

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- "Sit Quietly While I Minister to Your Soul and Heal Your Wounds by "Anne," a Lay Apostle

The following presents the initial messages from Jesus to Anne regarding his own Eucharistic presence. The messages are both sublime and powerful, and we share them with you. Anne, a visionary from Ireland, 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).
– Ed.

September 2, 2003

Jesus

Today We must talk about purity. My children, lack of purity is a very significant problem in your world. I search for purity and only find it in rare pockets. Because the tolerance for impurity is so profound, We are going to have to work very hard on this problem. Purity must be restored to every aspect of existence on earth. First, I speak of purity of dress. Do not dress in such a way as to indicate that you will behave sinfully. Dress as though you are a servant of Mine and seek My will. It is never My will to dress in clothes that lead others astray. Children, you know what I am referring to and I want this to stop. Modesty must be restored. Use these words often in your speech to remind people that purity and modesty are to be valued and applauded.

Next I speak of purity of speech. You must speak like a Christian, keeping your language worthy of your soul, and the work I am doing in your soul. Language is often the method used by the enemy to spread the contagion of impurity. Use words that glorify Me. If you use My name to curse, My child, I will be personally offended and you will have to make amends to Me.

My children, I ask that you take offense to impurity in every form of entertainment. No longer should you sit idly while those who claim to be artists desecrate Me. Defend Me. I am your God. I want to hear your cry of outrage if I am maligned. If you, who know Me so well, do not defend Me, who will? Speak with immediacy when you are offended by forms of entertainment such as music, television, writings, or art. Do not let the enemy think he has overcome all Christian thought. I will reward you beyond your understanding for efforts against the scourge of impurity. Your youth is being poisoned this way and We must change this with decision now.

Impure thoughts can be more difficult because often you do not will these and they are a cross for you. If We change this type of dress, speech, and entertainment, though, you will see the volume of impure thoughts diminishing quickly. It is the constant reference to the impure that sparks these thoughts. Nevertheless, My little ones, push the impure thoughts from your head calmly. Distract yourself by looking away from objects of impurity. Ask for My help and I will assist you. Prayer and a consistent participation in the sacraments will arm you against these attacks on your purity.

I want you to understand that living in the world as it is will not be considered a valid excuse for either behaving impurely or leading others to impurity. I hold each soul accountable for actions committed knowingly. Parents, guide your children in these matters and set positive examples. Children, obey your parents in these matters and know that I am with you always. We will work on this together and together We will overcome impurity with a dedicated and purposeful outcry. I am with you and will show you exactly what I am asking for in this regard. My children, I want to thank you, now and always, for your obedience and service to Me. Your every effort will be preserved and rewarded. When your sins are presented to Me, I will turn My head away. That is what comes from your effort to serve Me. Be at peace now and do not let past sins of impurity disturb you. All is forgiven and My memory is short when it comes to My servants.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1257 

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- Our Lady's Bird is Our Ladybug by Br. John M. Samaha, S.M.

What insect has such a colorful and fascinating history as the ladybird, also known more popularly as the ladybug? In an age of faith when people saw earth mirroring heaven, this tiny creature was thought to enjoy the special protection of the Virgin Mary. Reversing its role in the past two centuries, this small symbol of Our Lady burst into prominence as a protector of people and their food supply. As the enemy of aphids, the ladybird has rendered service calculated in the billions of dollars in the past century alone. We have good reason to be grateful for this little beetle and to the Lady for whom it is named.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1261

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- "I Suffered with My Son Spiritually, and, Above All, Bodily" by the Lady of All Nations

During her April 1, 1951, apparition, the Lady of All Nations explained her suffering to visionary Ida Peerdeman. She said also that the dogma will be "much contested." But the Lady says, "just as He suffered, so did I suffer as the Mother of the Son of Man."
—Asst. Ed.

April 1,1951

I see a bright light and I hear a voice say, "Child, last time I came only to let you know that it was I."

And now all of a sudden I see the Lady emerging from that bright light. She says to me, "Now I am here to give you further explanation. Watch closely and listen carefully to what I am going to say. I am standing here, and I wish to be: The Lady of All Nations—not of one nation in particular, but of all."

At that the Lady extends her hands, and I see many different people, even sorts of people whom I never knew existed.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1260

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- Beware of Messages from Heaven: An Anti-Catholic Polemic in Disguise by Kevin Clarke

Messages from Heaven (2004 Eternal Productions) looks innocuous enough—perhaps sitting on a shelf at a local Christian bookstore, perhaps given as a gift by a non-Catholic family member, perhaps even purchased thinking this might be a solid video produced by good, daily-Mass-going Catholics. It looks innocuous, but looks—and producers of videos—can deceive.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1259

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- The Resurrected Jesus Visits Mary by Maria Valtorta

The following account of the Resurrected Jesus' appearance to his Mother and Co-redeemer is an excerpt from the revelations received by Maria Valtorta, as contained in the work, The Poem of the Man-God. The Poem of the Man-God remains a legitimate mystical/spiritual source within the Church for Christian meditation regarding the life of Jesus as recorded by the Italian mystic, Maria Valtorta (see article, In Response to Various Questions Regarding "The Poem of the Man-God" in the Marian Private Revelation section).
– Ed.

Mary is prostrated with Her face on the floor...

The closed window is opened with a violent banging of the heavy shutters, and with the first ray of the sun, Jesus enters.

Mary, Who has been shaken by the noise and has raised Her head to see which wind has opened the shutters, sees Her radiant Son: handsome, infinitely more handsome than He was before suffering, smiling, lively, brighter than the sun, dressed in a white garment that seems woven of light, and Who is advancing towards Her.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1258

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