“We are an Easter people………. Alleluia!”

“We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee, because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.” © GodAloneSufficeth.com, 2011-2013

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

“Jesus said to His disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”

Today’s Gospel passage from Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter conveys to us how requisite Our Lord’s Resurrection is as the cornerstone of our Faith. It is through His Resurrection that we can even have faith and hope. It is through this Glorious Mystery that we can truly be an “Easter People, with Alleluia as our song.”

If Jesus never had risen from the dead, Christianity would quite possibly be the dumbest religion ever. After all, as we read in today’s Gospel, we have a Master who promises us that our reward for following Him would be persecution and death – a rather “appealing” promise. We would have no joy to look forward to; we would be hopeless, crabby and pathetic. We would be, as St. Paul said to the Corinthians: “of all men most miserable. (1 Cor. 15:19).” People would look at the Crucifix and say: “That is what happened to their God and that is what will happen to them.” Christianity probably would have not survived the first century.

It is 2013 A.D. and Christianity still is alive and well with over 2.2 billion faithful [of this number, 1.2 billion identify themselves as Catholic]. 2010 Pew Foundation statistics reveal that 32% of the World’s Population considers themselves to be Christian – in many countries like Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, and the Philippines, the data show that approximately 95% of the population are Christian.  Why? The answer is simple: “The Lord is  Risen, Alleluia; He is truly Risen, Alleluia! Yes, Jesus was Crucified, He died and was buried, but on the Third Day He Rose from the dead. Our Lord’s “appealing” promise of persecution and death is eclipsed by His promise of New Life and Resurrection.

“The Lord is Risen, Alleluia! He is truly Risen, Alleluia!” © GodAloneSufficeth.com, 2011-2013

We have Faith, Hope Joy and Love. Yes, we look at the Crucifix and, with the rest of humanity, know that that is what happened to our Master and that is what will happen to us.” Yet, all we have to do is shift our gaze to the empty tomb to know that Calvary in not the conclusion. This is the strength and hope of the martyrs of old and it is our hope and strength as well. We know that when we are persecuted, spit-upon, trod-upon, maltreated, slandered, spoken-ill-of, tortured and yes, even killed, that it is not the end. Persecution does not have the last say; Jesus does and He will raise us up on the Last Day.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m not trying to demote suffering, persecution and martyrdom to a jolly walk-in-the-park. No, but St. Peter tells us: “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope (1 Peter 3:15).” What is the reason for our hope? It is the Resurrection of Jesus. By His suffering and death we have redemption; by His Rising from the Dead we have Hope and New and Eternal Life.

It is for this reason that we can say with St. Augustine of Hippo: “we are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.”

P.S. I wish a Blessed Easter to all our Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic brethren! God Bless You!

The link between Wisdom Teeth, Vocational Discernment and the intercession of St. Apollonia

“I am the Good Shepherd.” © GodAloneSufficeth.com 2013

Please pardon my absence from my blog. The life of one who is discerning Carmel includes: eat, sleep, pray, and work – I’m still trying to fit “blog” into one of those categories. However, this week, on Good Shepherd Sunday, also World Day of Prayer for Vocations, I think I may have found a way to combine my current situation and discernment into a post.

Two days ago, I experienced that not-so-cheerfully anticipated rite of passage of many young adults in the U.S. – wisdom tooth extraction. Well, to say that the actual procedure was unpleasant would not be exactly honest, after all, I don’t remember a bit of the surgery itself. However, I have to admit that holding frozen salmon burgers and chorizos on my face to keep the swelling down has been slightly “interesting,” to say the least.

So you may be asking yourself, why would he be posting on something so totally unrelated to vocational discernment… is this an unexpected side effect of laughing gas?

Don’t worry, the surgery drugs wore off 28 hours ago. Actually, I do find my wisdom tooth extraction experience quite applicable to my continued discernment to the religious life and the ministerial Priesthood. Let me explain.

The reason why my wisdom teeth had to come out was because when God designed my mouth, He deigned to create more teeth than space for them to occupy. This economy of space became clear when my braces were put on a couple of years ago. The wisdom teeth were inhibiting the movement of my other teeth. Over the years, as my teeth have waged battles for primacy and position, the level of discomfort has increased. Thus, I arrived at a point where a decision would have to be made. I could tolerate the soreness for now, but as it increased and the potential for more complicated oral surgery and nerve involvement loomed, it became evident a choice would have to be made. Of course, since I had never experienced a surgical procedure before, I was rather nervous about how it would all play out. I was entering uncharted territory, and was a bit anxious. Therefore, like all major milestones in my life, I sought the advice and prayers of trusted family and friends.

Well, thanks to the prayers of my friends and family and the intercession of St. Apollonia, I came out of the whole experience missing 4 teeth, but nothing else! Now my mouth hurts a little and is slightly swollen, but time will eventually heal it all up.

Now, here is the fundamental similarity between wisdom tooth extraction and vocational discernment.

God gives us each a beautiful life to be shared with others, but most especially with Him and He has a special plan for us. He gives us our family, our friends and many experiences to draw us closer to Himself. Sometimes “extras” (like my wisdom teeth) pop up. It may be people (girl-friends, boy-friends, BFFs) or possessions (money, cars, houses) or experiences (concerts, games, random acts of fun). These extras compete for limited space in our lives. Like my over-crowded mouth, an abundance of “extras” leads to pain and discomfort as the realization that it can’t all fit becomes evident. We need to discern if there is enough room in God’s plan for us of both these “extras” and Himself. If there is then, great, we’ve cleared a major hurdle. However, as is often the case, there isn’t enough room and these “extras” – which may not be harmful in and of themselves, they just don’t fit in God’s plan – like wisdom teeth, have to GO! Like the decision to finally have my wisdom teeth surgically removed, this process is not passive; no it requires actively weighing the benefits and drawbacks, and then making an active choice. Just letting “whatever’s going to happen, happen” isn’t an option. Prayer is an essential element in arriving at a definitive course of action.

Vocational discernment is the process by which we discover what God’s plan is for each of us, what fits in that plan and what doesn’t. Once we discern what has to go, then we need to surrender ourselves over to the Divine Physician who, like an oral surgeon will cut these “extras” out of our lives. After His procedure is completed, we will understandably hurt. We will question ourselves as to why did what we did. We will have to change the way we live. Still, time, prayer and following the Divine Physician’s instructions (which can conveniently be found in the Bible, the Teaching Magisterium of the Church and the Sacred Apostolic Tradition) will heal all the hurt and pain. We’ll be just a couple of teeth (um “extras”) shorter and that much closer to fulfilling God Divine plan for each of us.

I pray that all of you may continue in your discernment of the unique vocation that God has given each of you. May His Will be done!

On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, may we each say an extra prayer not only for our own vocations, but for those of all who discern.

After my procedure, one of my younger sisters made a lovely prayer card and left it on my computer. She found a traditional prayer to St. Apollonia (an early martyr and patroness of dentistry) for my speedy recovery. St. Apollonia’s intercession has certainly been of benefit to me. Perhaps she may intercede for you as well:

“O Glorious Apollonia, patron saint of dentistry and refuge to all those suffering from diseases of the teeth, I consecrate myself to thee, beseeching thee to number me among thy clients. Assist me by your intercession with God in my daily work and intercede with Him to obtain for me a happy death. Pray that my heart like thine may be inflamed with the love of Jesus and Mary, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

“O My God, bring me safe through temptation and strengthen me as thou didst our own patron Apollonia, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.”

“O daughter Zion, shout for joy…. your King shall come to you!”

Palm Sunday © GodAloneSufficeth.com, 2011-2013

This weekend, we celebrate Palm Sunday and commemorate Our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We also recall, as we listen to His Passion read aloud, how in a matter of days the crowd crying “Hosanna to the Son of David,” turned and changed their exclamation to “Crucify Him!”

This has always been one of my favorite celebrations of the entire liturgical calendar. Indeed, from the moment Lent begins, I anticipate Holy Week with ever-growing excitement and enthusiasm. I do so not simply because I’m counting down the days until Lent will finally be over or because the Divine Liturgies of this coming week are more ornate and beautiful (although the latter does account for some of my expectation) Oh no, rather, the significance of Our Lord’s Redemptive Sacrifice on the Cross has always captivated me. As I hold a palm in my hand and gaze up at the crucifix while all the while repeating the part of the “crowd” in the Passion, I cannot help but realize just how much I resemble that fickle throng. One day I hail Jesus as my King and God as I receive Him into my soul in Holy Communion. A few days later, as I stand in line and examine my conscience before receiving the Sacrament of Penance, I contemplate with sorrow how I too have shouted “Crucify Him” and have nailed my Jesus to that Cross by my sins.   

Ok, on that happy note, lets contemplate the glorious “Palm Sunday of Our Lord’s Passion,” which we celebrate this weekend.

As I was thinking long and hard on what I should post, the inspiration came to me, why not write a small piece about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as seen through His mother’s eyes – hence the following reflection. I ask for forgiveness if it contains anything heretical. Please keep in mind that it comes not from a theologian but from the heart of a kiddo who loves the Blessed Mother and Jesus.

Consider how the Blessed Mother must have felt as Her Son set out for Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for the last time in His earthly ministry. She knew that Jesus was taking His life into His hands and how great the danger was in which He was putting Himself.  His enemies were numerous and formidable and yet fearful of His power. Even so, they were growing more bold by the day. Just a short time ago He had tried to reveal to “them” that He was a Divine Person – sent from His Father; sent from THE FATHER. Surely “they,” the Scribes and Pharisees and Scholars of the Law, surely “they” would understand and come to believe. But no, in the hardness of their hearts, they accused Jesus of blasphemy and tried to stone Him. They were powerless – it was not yet His Hour.

Mary was conscious of all these events, and she was aware as Jesus set out towards the City of David that His hour would soon be approaching. Yet she also knew that He was not her’s to keep exclusively. Recall that our Blessed Mother was brought up in the Temple in her youth and was fully cognizant of the prophesies of the Old Testament. As she gazed upon her humble Son riding upon the colt, did the prophesy of Zachariah flash before her eyes? “Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your King shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass (Zachariah 9:9).” As she surveyed the multitude waving palms, acclaiming Him and shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David,” did she realize that soon “the sword of sorrow would pierce her soul, that the thoughts of many may be revealed (Luke 2:35)?”

I believe that our Lady did fully understand what was happening. After all, her soul was never dulled by original sin or actual sin. Yet the important point is not whether or not she fully understood, but the fact that she believed and surrendered to God’s Will.

As we listen to and participate in the Passion of Our Lord at Mass this weekend and again on Good Friday, let us try to put ourselves in the Blessed Mother’s place. Let us endeavor to accompany her on the Way of the Cross.  Let us strive to see Our Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem through her eyes and try to see Our Suffering Crucified Savior through her eyes. Let us strive to live the Passion as she lived it. Above all, let us ask Our Lord to give us a measure of His Mother’s firm Faith, unshakeable Hope and burning Love.

“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”   

Habemus Papam

Vatican Flag © GodAloneSufficeth.com, 2011-2013

Habemus Papam! Almost a week has passed since the election of our beloved Pope Francis and I’m still “bouncing off the walls” with excitement. Well, it’s about time that I shared my joy and thanksgiving for the Holy Spirit’s choice on cyberspace. And what a fitting day to do so, as today is  the Feast of St. Joseph, who is the “protector” of the Universal Church and the Inauguration of the Papacy of our new Pontiff.

I just finished watching EWTN’s encore presentation of Pope Francis’s installment Mass. As I reflected on how to compose this blog post I could find no better words the those of our Holy Father’s homily:

“How does Joseph respond to his calling to be the protector of Mary, Jesus and the Church? By being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans, and not simply to his own.”

Listen to how admirably he speaks of St. Joseph as the “protector” of the Church. Our Holy Father is lifting up St. Joseph as an example for us because in essence we too are called to “protect” the Church (anyone who doubts this statement needs only to look over their shoulder and open their eyes to see the mud which the secular media has flung at the Church, especially in the past couple of weeks).

We are called to be attentive to the voice of God in our lives. Yes, we hear His Word everyday in Holy Mass, but this is not the only way in which it comes to us. It can come to us in little ways as well such as in the discreet promptings in the silence of the depths of our hearts. We are also called to be open to the signs of Gods presence in our lives. Nothing happens by “pure chance,” God has ordained everything to take place with in a certain order. If we are to be true Christians, we must be receptive to the plans of God in our lives. We must not try to run from His will, but rather to submit to it and embrace it.

All that one has to do is look at the example set by our Holy Father’s words and actions when he was Cardinal of Buenos Aires to see that he is a true “protector” of the Catholic Faith. He is an authentic Christian; he doesn’t just preach about his faith, he lives it.  Likewise, Cardinal Bergoglio’s humble and authentic way of living the Gospel vividly demonstrates that he consciously strives to be attentive to the voice of God. As one examines Cardinal Bergoglio’s interactions with the poor and his own efforts to live an austere and simple life, it is evident that he actively distances himself from anything that could potentially distract him from that quiet voice of God. Finally, one can see in Pope Francis the humility of accepting the will of God, even when it is difficult and doesn’t conform to his own plans. Recall, during the 2005 conclave that he made it clear that he did not hold aspirations to the papacy, nor had he previously welcomed any type of appointment to the curia. Rather, he desired to live the life of a simple shepherd, caring for his sheep by ministering close to the poor and forgotten ones. In the 2013 conclave, it became evident that God had other plans. He willingly submitted and embrace those plans.

God continues to make known to us His will as He continues to shower us with many stellar examples. If we but follow these examples, especially that of St. Joseph and Pope Francis, we will become the authentic Christians which God calls us to be.

Prayers as we await a new Supreme Pontiff

“Come Holy Ghost!” © GodAloneSufficeth.com, 2012

Wow, another week has flown by. It has been truly historic – especially in respect to the events of Rome. For the first time in nearly 6 centuries the Chair of Peter is vacant not because the Papa has died but because he has voluntarily stepped down from the Petrine Office. I must admit that, as I look around and see all the enemies of God converging to assail His Holy Church, I can’t help but feel a “slight” tang of apprehension knowing that we have no acting Sovereign Pontiff and Supreme Shepherd. Watching the Holy Father’s helicopter take off from St. Peter’s for Castel Gandolfo and then later watching His Holiness sink back into the Apostolic Palace after giving his last public appearance really drove this feeling home.

I was going to continue upon what a wrote last week, reflecting upon our Sorrowful Mother Mary as we journey through Lent. However, as I look back on the events of the last week and attempt to read “the Signs of the Times,” I believe this post should address a more pressing need. As the Cardinal Fathers prepare to enter the Conclave we need to pray. We must pray very hard for the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment and wisdom to be poured out upon and accepted by the Cardinals.

Christ has promised to be with, protect, guide and send the Holy Spirit upon His Holy Church. We know that “the Gates of Hell will not prevail against us (Mt 16:18).” With the Paraclete’s wisdom, we will continue to remain firm on our Apostolic Foundations. Yet, He respects our free will and will not force Himself upon us. If we do not seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we enter this unique and challenging period of time; if we attempt to “do it all by ourselves,” He will allow us to follow our own designs. We will sooner or later return to Him humbled and shame-faced.

Let’s avoid a mess in the first place. Let’s get on our knees and start the prayers rolling. We, the laity have a sacred duty to pray for our Church. This “praying business” isn’t just for priests and religious – it is our honor as well. So, as the Cardinal Fathers prepare to enter the Conclave, let us pray to the Holy Spirit for an outpouring of grace and wisdom. Let us beseech the Paraclete for guidance in the Conclave.  Have you ever wanted to be part of a worldwide movement? Well, here’s your chance! Join over 1,000,000,000 Catholics in prayer, sacrifice and fast as we await a new Papa, a new Supreme Shepherd to lead us through this world and it’s ravenous wolves to the Beatific Vision in Heaven.

 

“Come Holy Ghost” © GodAloneSufficeth.com, 2012

Come, Holy Spirit (Veni, Creator)

“Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come from Thy bright and heavenly throne! Come, take possession of our souls, and make them all thy own!

Thou who are called the Paraclete, best gift of God above, the living spring, the living fire, sweet unction, and true love!

Thou who are sevenfold in Thy grace, finger of God’s right hand, His promise, teaching little ones to speak and understand!

O guide our minds with Thy blest light, with love our hearts inflame, and with Thy strength which ne’er decays confirm our mortal frame.

Far from us drive our hellish foe, true peace unto us bring, and through all perils guide us safe beneath Thy sacred wing.

Through Thee may we the Father know, through Thee, the Eternal Son, and Thee, the Spirit of them both, Thrice-blessed Three in One.

All glory to the Father be, and to the risen Son; the same to Thee, O Paraclete, while endless ages run. Amen.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us Pray,

O God, who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

(- Taken from the Daily Roman Missal, Rev. James Socias, P. 2407 & 2408)

Prayer to Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit

“O Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, come to the aid of your Son’s Immaculate Bride – The Holy Catholic Church. As the Cardinal Fathers convene in the conclave, with your maternal charity inspire them to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and heed His wisdom. As we await a new Papa, pray with us and enfold us in your motherly embrace. Amen.”

God Bless Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI!

“Not my will but Thine be done.”

“Christ’s dear mother to behold” © GodAloneSufficeth.com 2012

One of my favorite Lenten devotions is the Stabat Mater. Whether I’m praying this beautiful prayer or listening to its musical composition either by Giovanni Pergolesi or in the traditional Gregorian Chant, I always find that my soul is uplifted as I contemplate my sorrowful Mother. Today on the second Saturday of Lent, I am going to use this post to reflect upon our sorrowful Mother and her radical response to the Call to be the “Stabat Mater Dolorosa.”

As we gaze upon the crucifixion scene and see Our Blessed Lord hanging from the Cross “all with bloody scourges rent,” we cannot help but to empathize with Mary. Standing at the foot of the Cross and witnessing Christ’s entire gruesome martyrdom, one cannot possibly begin to imagine the depth of dear Mary’s anguish.

If any other ordinary mother were made to witness the scene from the perspective of The Blessed Mother, the trauma would incapacitate her.  Yet as we continue to contemplate the Crucifixion, we see Mary neither tearing out her hair nor pleading with Our Lord’s tormentors nor hallucinating. In contrast, she remains prayerfully calm  drinking in the passion of her Divine Son with excruciating composure. She continues to stand with  miraculous courage at the foot of the Cross, silently weeping, praying for her dying Son and uniting her heart to His.

Where does this miraculous strength come from? What special grace has she received? The answer lies in her vocation as a virgin.

The French Carmelite priest and martyr Comite Pere Jacques explains this mystery best in Conference 6 (“Virginity in God and in Mary”) of his 1943 retreat which he gave to the Carmelite Sisters at the Carmel of Pontoise. He says:

“Let us gaze upon Mary especially during the tragic hours of the Passion. You will not see her dramatically displaying her sorrow, as many mothers would. The Virgin Mary is there, walking along her Son and sharing all His sorrow, but utters not a word, not a rebuke, not a plea aimed at diminishing the suffering she sees. She totally embraces the will of God, as it unfolds in the brutal treatment of her child. She acts in complete accord with her role as a creature and does not try to alter the divine plan. She is a creature, pure and simple; she is a virgin. Although time does not permit us to dwell on the point, this virginity and this characteristic of a pure creature, grounded in obedience, is Mary’s special grace of prayer (Listen to the silence: a retreat with Pere Jacques, Trans. & Edt. Francis J. Murphy, P. 43).”

Mary’s grace comes in response to her vocation as a virgin. Her purity and simplicity allow her to fully exercise her role as the “Stabat Mater Dolorosa.” She accepts this role with the same radical obedience with which she accepted the Call, from the Angel Gabriel, to be the Mother of the Incarnation in the first place.

We are not all called to a life of virginity, but we are all called to live lives of pure and simple obedience to the voice of God – just like our Blessed Mother. We often view this sacred season of Lent as a time of “giving up” yet it is also a time for “doing.” Let us strive to use this Lenten Journey to grow in our obedience to our Loving God. May we too be given the grace to say with Mary: “Let it be done unto me according to thy Word.” May we too be given the grace to say with Our Lord: “Not my will but Thine be done.”

Immaculate Mary we sing thy praises with joy

Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at Notre Dame University © GodAloneSufficeth.com, 2011-2013

Ave Maria! Today is Saturday, the day of the week on which we, in the Catholic tradition, honor the Blessed Mother! On Monday, we will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In anticipation of this great feast, I will focus on Our Lady and the Lourdes message as the topic for this post.

In 1858, Our Lady appeared in the Grotto at Massabieille to the young French maiden – Bernadette Soubirous. “I am the Immaculate Conception:” this is how “the Beautiful Lady” identified herself to St. Bernadette. At Lourdes, Our Lady brought to us a message of hope and healing as well as a stern prophesy for St. Bernadette and all who truly committed to Christ: “I cannot promise you happiness in this life, only in the next.” Today most especially, we must cling to this same message and promise.

Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at Notre Dame University © GodAloneSufficeth.com, 2011-2013

We are all wounded children. With the exception of the Old Testament Adam and Eve, Christ the – New Adam – and Mary – the New Eve, we have all been conceived in Original Sin. Yes, the Sacrament of Baptism does remove Original Sin from our souls, but it’s effects are still present in our fallen world. Our wills are weak, our spirits are wounded. Sooner or later we fall, driving deeper the thorn into our flesh. When we find ourselves bogged in this quagmire of sin, let us call on Mary “the Immaculate Conception,” for it is through the Mother to the Son! Let us ask her to “scrub us clean” so that we may most worthily present ourselves to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

As part of our fallen nature, we seem to instinctively be drawn to the easy wide road. If we let our guard down, we find that our feet, seeking happiness, effortlessly glide down the path to destruction. Now, I am not saying that our search for happiness is intrinsically bad, as indeed it is not. It is only when we hush our consciences and choose sin – which on the surface gives the appearance of happiness – over God – Who will bring us true Joy – that we find our search to be painful, disappointing and fruitless. We must remember that happiness flows from true Joy, which only God can give. If we search just for the fruit of Joy –  happiness – without making any effort to find God who will give us the tree – true Joy – then we will find our pursuit unfulfilling. This is why we should “strive to enter the narrow gate” and take the path which is difficult and requires our constant relying upon the Lord. We would do well to remember Our Lady’s promise: “I cannot promise you happiness in this life, only in the next.” Let us not join or continue in the frivolous quest for fleeting, earthly happiness. Rather, let us set our sights on the true Joy of Heaven – the Beatific Vision.

Sweet Mother, please help us your wounded, devoted children. Help us to not seek after the fleeting things, of this life but rather lead us to the Joy of your Son.

Forgive your children whose hearts have been hardened and whose consciences have been dulled. Remove from us our error, may we not persist in it.

Thank you for the continued help you offer us each day. May we open our eyes and hearts to accept the guidance and strength.

“Immaculate Mary your praises we sing. You reign now in Heaven with Jesus our King. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria; Ave, Ave, Ave  Maria.”

Thank you for singing the praises of Immaculate Mary with me, and please remember to offer her little acts of love on this her special day.