Day: January 10, 2017

Planting Roses (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2017 J.M.J. January 10, 2017 Tuesday, First week of Ordinary Time Dear Family of Mary, “…Of you, my apostles, I am asking for your roses of prayer which need to be acts of love. To my motherly heart these are the dearest prayers. I offer these to my Son who was born for your sake. He looks at you and hears you…”(January 2, 2017) Our Lady is asking us for “roses of prayer”. Of course we immediately think of the Rosary. It is the prayer she champions. Many saints have also championed the Rosary. St. Louis de Montfort, who was given “True Devotion to Mary” as a guide book for us in these latter days, also wrote a book on the power and efficacy of the Rosary, “The Secret of the Rosary”. Here is an excerpt of that book. What a joy it is to read his words!! A Mystical Rose Tree For Devout Souls 5. Good and devout souls, who walk in the light of the Holy Spirit, I do not think you will mind my giving you this little mystical rose tree which comes straight from heaven and which is to be planted in the garden of your soul. It cannot possibly harm the sweet-smelling flowers of your contemplations; for it is a heavenly tree and its scent is very pleasant. It will not in the least interfere with your carefully planned flower-beds; for, being itself all pure and well-ordered, it inclines all to order and purity. If it is carefully watered and properly attended to every day, it will grow to such a marvelous height, and its branches will have such a wide span that, far from hindering your other devotions, it will maintain and perfect them. Of course, you understand what I mean, since you are spiritually minded; this mystical rose tree is Jesus and Mary in life, death and eternity. 6. Its green leaves are the Joyful Mysteries, the thorns the Sorrowful ones, and the flowers the Glorious Mysteries of Jesus and Mary. The buds are the childhood of Jesus and Mary, and the open blooms show us both of them in their sufferings, and the full-blown roses symbolize Jesus and Mary in their triumph and glory. A rose delights us because of its beauty: so here we have Jesus and Mary in the Joyful Mysteries. Its thorns are sharp, and they prick, which makes us think of them in the Sorrowful Mysteries, and last of all, its perfume is so sweet that everyone loves it, and this fragrance symbolizes their Glorious Mysteries. So please do not scorn this beautiful and heavenly tree, but plant it with your own hands in the garden of your soul, by making the resolution to say your Rosary every day. By saying it daily and by doing good works you will be tending your tree, watering it, hoeing the earth around it. Eventually you will see that this little seed which I have given you, and heaven, that is, predestinate and contemplative souls, will dwell in it and make their nests there. Its shade will shelter them from the scorching heat of the sun and its height will keep them safe from the wild beasts on the ground. And best of all, they will feed upon the tree’s fruit, which is none other than our adorable Jesus, to whom be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. God Alone. (St. Louis de Montfort. The Secret of the Rosary) May we all plant a Rose Tree in the garden of our hearts, so that Our Lady will come and rest there. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2017)