During the month we will look at the sufferings of Our Blessed Lady and St. Monica. We will also offer the Novena to Saint Monica on 19th to 27th August for suffering mothers.
In our world mothers suffer many pains.
O Jesus, look upon the tears of her who loved you most on earth, and loves you most ardently in Heaven.
We remember mothers who have lost a child, those who have suffered miscarriages, the loss of a still born baby, the death of a child or young person, through illness, accidents, starvation, suicide or violence. We pray for mothers whose children have gone missing and have never been found or returned to them. We pray for young women who have had their babies taken away from them at birth and given up for adoption against their will. We also pray for women who are not able to have children. We pray for mothers who suffer like St. Monica did because their children have rejected grace and turned away from God.
We unite all the sufferings of mothers to the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ. May He be our support in times of trials and our comfort in times of joy.
Prayer to Our Blessed Lady
Take my hand O Blessed Mother,
hold it gently, lest I fall.
I am nervous when I am walking,
So to thee I humbly call.
Guide me over every crossing,
watch me when I am on the stairs.
Help me with my undertakings,
lesten many of my cares.
Then when darkness falls upon me
and I fear to be alone,
Take my hand O Blessed Mother,
Once again and lead me home.
"On November 8, 1929, Sister Amalia, her heart moved by grief of a relative whose wife was critically ill, sought Jesus in the Tabernacle and pleaded that she might give her own life for this mother of little children. So sincere was the desire of this Sister who bears the Holy Stigmata that Our Lord spoke to her, telling her how to pray to attain this grace.
Jesus said:
"Pray to me on behalf of my mother's tears, I shall gladly grant them."
"My daughter, whatever men will ask of Me for the sake of the tears of my mother, I shall grant them lovingly."
Sister Amalia bent low her head as she reflected on the Tears of Our Lady. "How shall I pray?" she asked humbly.
"O Jesus, listen to our prayers on behalf of your holy mother's tears. O Jesus, look down upon the tears of her who loved you best on earth and most deeply loves you now in heaven," was the answer.
Our Lord answered her:
"Later my mother will give the treasure of her tears to my beloved institute as a magnet of mercy." from a booklet entitled "Our Lady of Tears" with imprimatur from 1936.
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Prayers
Opening prayer: Crucified Jesus! we fall at your feet and offer you the tears of her who with deep compassionate love accompanied you on your sorrowful way of the Cross. Grant, O good Master, that we take to heart the lessons which the tears of your most holy Mother teach us, so that we may fulfil Your holy will on earth and be worthy to praise and exalt you in heaven for all eternity.
For each mystery of the Seven Sorrows, on the large beads say: Jesus, look upon the tears of her who loved you most on earth, ad loves you most ardently in Heaven. Followed by the meditation for that mystery (see below).
On the small beads say: O Jesus, hear our prayers for the sake of your most holy mother's tears.
Seven Meditations
In honour of the Seven Sorrows of Mary the Meditations are to be prayed on the large beads:
1. O Jesus, for the sake of the tears of Your Most Holy Mother shed during Simeon's Prophecy that a sword will pierce her heart, grant, O good Master, that we take to heart the lessons which the tears of you most holy Mother teach us, so that we may fulfil Your holy will on earth and be worthy to praise and exalt you in heaven for all eternity.
2. O Jesus, for the sake of the tears of Your Most Holy Mother shed during Her Flight into Egypt, grant...
3. O Jesus, for the sake of the tears of Your Most Holy Mother shed during Her search for You, grant...
4. O Jesus, for the sake of the tears of Your Most Holy Mother shed during Your painful Way of the Cross, grant...
5. O Jesus, for the sake of the tears of Your Most Holy Mother shed during Your Agony on the Cross
6. O Jesus, for the sake of tears of Your Most Holy Mother shed when Your Sacred Body was taken from the Cross and placed into Her arms, grant...
7. O Jesus, for the sake of tears of our Most Holy Mother shed when You were placed in the Sepulchre, grant...
On each of the last three beads pray:
O Jesus, look upon the tears of her who loved you most on earth, and loves you most ardently in Heaven.
Closing prayer:
O Mary, Mother of love, sorrow and mercy, we beg you to unite your prayers with ours so that Jesus, your Divine Son, to whom we turn, may hear our petitions in the name of your maternal tears and may give us in addition to the favours we ask, the crown of everlasting life. Amen.
Meditations for Our Lady of Tears
1. The Prophecy of Simeon. I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for mothers/children/young people the virtue of humility and the gift of holy fear of God.
2. The Flight into Egypt. I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for mothers/children/young people the virtue of generosity and the gift of piety.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple. I grieved for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the anxieties, which tried your troubled heart, at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for mothers/children/young people the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.
4. Mary meets Jesus carrying His Cross. I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for mothers/children/young people the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.
5. The Crucifixion. I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the martyrdom, which your generous heart endured in standing next to Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart, obtain for mothers/children and young people the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.
6. Striking of Jesus with the Lance. I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck before His Body was removed from the Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for mothers/children/young people the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.
7. The Body of Jesus is placed in the tomb. I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus, Dear Mother by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for mothers/children/young people the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom.
The Image
Our Lady spoke to Sister Amalia:
"Do you know why I wear a blue mantle? to remind you of heaven, when you are feeling weary from your labours and carrying the cross of your tribulations. My mantle reminds you of heaven, to give you indescribable joy and eternal happiness, and this will give courage to your soul and peace to your heart, to continue the struggle until the end."
"Do you understand the significance of my purple-violet tunic? I will tell you that you should remember, as you stand before the image of Tears. Of the colours I wear, purple signifies pain. The pain that Jesus felt when they beat him, barbarically, on his body. My mother's heart and my soul were also lacerated by pain, on seeing Jesus"
"My child, I will explain to you why I wear this white veil, around my breast and covering my head. White signifies purity, and being the white flower of the Holy Trinity, I could not appear without this whiteness."
"The sweet smile you see traced on my lips is for the immense happiness to be able to give mankind such a precious treasure!"
"I will explain to you the reason I appear with my eyes inclined downward. Inspired painters have recorded my eyes looking upward to sing the glory of my immaculate conception. Then why are my eyes inclined downward in this apparition, into which you entrust yourself to my blessed tears? It signifies my compassion toward humanity, because I have come from heaven to alleviate your suffering. My eyes will always be directed to your sorrows and afflictions, whenever you ask my Son through the tears I shed. And as you are near my image, see that I gaze at you with eyes of compassion and tenderness."
"My child, I will tell you about the rosary in my hands. I have named it the Crown (chaplet) of Tears. When you are near me, seeing this chaplet in my hands, remember that it signifies mercy, love, and pain... this chaplet of my blessed tears signifies that your Mother loves you. Use all its privileges, resort to it with confidence and love.
We Light a Candle, and We Pray
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Eoghan and Ruairi, May you both rest in peace
and may God keep you close to His heart.
As we pray this month for suffering mothers, let us remember in a very special way Eoghan and Ruairi,'s mother, who is suffering deeply at this sad time.
During the week these two little boys were murdered and found in the boot of their father's car. Only God knows what really happened and only He can see into the hearts and minds of others. Let us keep all family members in our prayers at this sad time.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.