A recent post on Facebook read something like this: This month is called May because it may rain, it may snow, it may be 70º, or it may be 20º. No matter what the weather, something that doesn’t change is Mary’s love for us, her God-given children. And the month of May is dedicated to her. This is fitting because in May we celebrate Mother’s Day, and Mary is our spiritual mother.
Today (Wednesday, May 13) we celebrate Our Lady of Fatima. In honor of Our Lady, this week’s blog features a page from my book “Heart to Heart with Mary” in which she speaks to you every day of the year and the prayer to her that Pope Francis offered us (adapted)
Mary’s Visits
Our Lady of Fatima
May 13
My child, since my assumption, I visited earth a number of times. I appeared to people of all ages, saints and sinners, and often to children. Some apparitions you are acquainted with, such as at Lourdes and Fatima. Others no one knows about except the visionaries.
I realize that sometimes you must wish that you too could see me in person. After all, it’s rather difficult to converse with someone who is invisible. Sometimes to converse with someone who is invisible. Sometimes you might even doubt that I exist. As for most people, however, you must wait until you enter the next world to see me. Then you will behold the love I have for you written on my face, and you will feel my arms wrapping you in a warm embrace of welcome.
In the meantime, be convinced that I am real and I do hear your prayers (even those you say half-heartedly or as though in a stupor). Be consoled by remembering that Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”[1] He referred to himself, but his words also hold true regarding me, your loving mother.
Tell Mary how you long to meet her
face-to-face one day.
[1] John 20:29
Prayer of Pope Francis during the pandemic:
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to God’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
USA Consecration and Our Consecration
On May 1, 2020, Most Reverend Jose H. Gomez, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, renewed the consecration of the United States to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today you might honor her by making your personal act of consecration in which you entrust yourself to her loving care.
My Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you; and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am your own, keep me, guard me, as your property and possession. Amen.
As a child imitates its mother, we honor Mary most when we imitate her obedience to God, kindness, humility, and love. By imitating her, we imitate her Son.
Here is a link to a version of the “Salve Regina.” I especially like the realistic image of Mary that accompanies it. . . .
Many Catholics love the Memorare prayer. What is your favorite Marian prayer? Hymn? Shrine?
