Devotion to Our Lady |
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APPEARANCE OF OUR LADY OF ST. AGNES MONTEPULCIANO, ITALY
St. Agnes of Montepulciano was born into a noble family in the village of Gracciano, Italy, in about the year 1268. A miracle occurred to demonstrate that she was a predestined soul, for it is recalled that burning torches appeared to illuminate her crib on the day she was born. St. Agnes was no more than four years old when she began seeking solitude where she could pray privately for many hours to Jesus, whom she already loved. At the age of nine St. Agnes told her parents that she desired to enter the Dominican monastery at nearby Montepulciano. Both parents initially opposed St. Agnes’ wish, so she prayed that God might change their opinions. In a short time she entered the convent and began living under the rule of St. Augustine. The sisters she lived with soon recognized that St. Agnes appeared more like an angelic spirit than a human being. She lived an austere life, sleeping on the ground with a stone for a pillow, and fasted on bread and water. To test St. Agnes’ holiness and commitment to her prayer life, the sisters gave her difficult duties to perform in the convent. They were greatly edified to see that St. Agnes regularly completed her duties without complaint, and that she continued with her prayer life and regular acts of charity. In fact, it was about this time that St. Agnes could be observed absorbed in prayer while seemingly unaware that she was suspended nearly two feet above the ground, or violets, lilies or roses would be found growing up through the stones where St. Agnes had just prayed. Several of the residents of the town of Procena built a monastery for their daughters, and naturally desired that St. Agnes should come with some of her sisters and become the prioress of the new convent. St. Agnes was only 15 years old, and feared for her humility should she accept the position. Pope Nicholas IV commanded her to accept the office, so she agreed to become the superior of the sisters there. There are many miracles recorded at this time involving St. Agnes of Montepulciano. She frequently multiplied loaves, as Christ did in the gospels, to feed those in need. She had also apparently reached such a level of sanctity that invalids and those afflicted with different types of mental illness would be restored to health just by being brought into her presence. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Agnes and told her that she would one day found a large monastery based on faith in the Most High and undivided Trinity. She did in fact establish the convent under the Dominican rule, as she had been instructed by an angel, about the year 1300, as the citizens of Montepulciano had built a new convent there, hoping to lure St. Agnes back to them. She governed there until her death in 1317. Agnes was known to have experienced several visions during her life. On the night of the Feast of the Assumption, the Blessed Virgin placed the Infant Jesus in her arms. She encouraged St. Agnes to continue suffering for the love of Christ – she had been sick practically all her life. The Mother of God left with St. Agnes of Montepulciano a small cross to comfort and strengthen her. This little cross is still shown with great solemnity to pilgrims, especially during the month of May. Mary likewise vouchsafed Agnes a vision of Christ’s suffering, which lasted three days. To comfort St. Agnes, Mary appeared to her on the feast of the Purification while she was at Holy Mass. Mary told her this was the hour she had taken the Child Jesus to offer Him in the Temple. Our Lady smiled sweetly, and gave St. Agnes her Babe to hold and caress. St. Agnes was also known to have received Holy Communion from an angel. She experienced repeated levitations, as noted above, and performed miracles for the faithful of the region. Shortly before her death, St. Agnes was sent to bathe in springs that were thought to have curative powers. The waters did nothing to help St. Agnes, though a new spring emerged close by which did indeed have curative power. It was given the name “the Water of St. Agnes.” While there, the saint prayed over a child who had recently drowned, bringing the child back to life. St. Agnes of Montepulciano then went back to the monastery, where she died on April 20th, 1317, at the age of only 43. Her body was found to be incorrupt, and a mysterious, sweet smelling liquid was observed to stream from both her hands and feet. When St. Catherine of Siena went to pray before St. Agnes’ incorrupt body, the deceased saint lifted her foot for St. Catherine to kiss. She also revealed to St. Catherine that they would both enjoy the same amount of glory in heaven. St. Agnes of Montepulciano was solemnly canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. Her feast day is April 20th. |
OUR LADY OF MONTE SENARIO
The cradle of the order of the Servants of Mary began at Monte Senario in the year 1233 in the city of Florence, Italy, by a group of Hermits now known as the Seven Holy Founders. They were sons from different wealthy families, and they retired from the world for a life of prayer and devotion to the praises of Mary. Leaving La Camarzia, a suburb of Florence, the seven went to Monte Senario in the region of Tuscany. Uncertain of what way of life to follow, they turned to Our Lady in prayer and supplication, and she appeared to them on the Feast of the Assumption in the year 1240. The Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Monte Senario, presented the Seven Holy Founders with the habit of their new order, and an angel stood nearby bearing a scroll that was marked, “Servants of Mary.” He read to the Seven Holy Founders the following words: “You will found a new order, and you will be my witnesses throughout the world. This is your name: Servants of Mary. This is your rule: that of Saint Augustine. And here is your distinctive sign: the black scapular, in memory of my sufferings.” From that day in 1240, the seven were known as the Servants of Mary, the Order of Servants of Mary, or the Servites. Members of the order take solemn vows to especially honor the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The sorrows are, in order, the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the Holy Child at Jerusalem, meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary, standing at the foot of the Cross, Jesus taken down from the Cross, and the burial of Christ. According to an ancient document called the “Legenda de Origin ordini,” “Our Lady wanted to begin her Order with seven men to show everyone, with absolute clarity, that she wanted to adorn her Order, endowing it with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.” The Order gained official recognition in 1249, but was not officially approved until Pope Benedict IX issued a Bull in 1304. Their church on Monte Senario, rebuilt in 1700, is a favorite resort of pilgrims from Florence and further places. Mary, here as Our Lady of Monte Senario, as well as elsewhere, proves herself the miraculous Mother of God. The names of the Seven Holy Founders are Saint Alexis Falconieri, Saint Bartholomew degli Amidei, Saint Benedict dell’Antella, Saint Buonfiglio Monaldi, Saint Gherardino Sostegni, Saint Hugh dei Lippi-Uguccioni, and Saint John Buonagiunta Monetti. |
"Follow Me!" said Jesus. Follow Him with this map!
THE PATHS OF JESUS DURING HOLY WEEK NOW AVAILABLE! Click on the image to the left for the Downloads Page Available in TWO SIZES ONLY due to the volume of print 13 x 19 inches & 11 x 17 inches This map of Jerusalem contains color coded routes for each different day, showing the paths that Jesus entering and leaving Jerusalem, and the places He visited, up to His death on Calvary A great way to follow Our Lord, getting a sense of His movements during His final days and hours! |
POSTERS: The Characters of Holy Week!
2. THE SADDUCEES NOW AVAILABLE ! Who were the Sadducees? What do you really know about them? What were their origins? How did they evolve into what they were? What did they believe? What were the chief problems and confrontations that they had with Jesus? Download this educative poster and have a better understanding of the intrigues, machinations and plots of Holy Week! Available in two sizes only: 13 x 19 inches and 11 x 17 inches. (due to the sheer quantity of text, a Letter Size version is impossible). |
POSTERS: The Characters of Holy Week!
1. THE PHARISEES NOW AVAILABLE ! Who were the Pharisees? What do you really know about them? What were their origins? How did they evolve into what they were? What did they believe? What were the chief problems and confrontations that they had with Jesus? Download this educative poster and have a better understanding of the intrigues, machinations and plots of Holy Week! Available in two sizes only: 13 x 19 inches and 11 x 17 inches. (due to the sheer quantity of text, a Letter Size version is impossible). |
THE SURFER'S WOE
Poster for download click here to go to the download page POSTER IS AVAILABLE IN THREE SIZES
8.5 x 11 inches 11 x 17 inches 13 x 19 inches Some spend hours on the internet Surfing, searching for what they can get About the world's demise they want to know But to Creator of the world they rarely go If you count the hours on the website spent It is more than the hours of prayer during Lent Perhaps we should seek much less to know And seek much more spiritually to grow |
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT POSTER ON TEMPTATIONS
click on the poster to go to the downloads page POSTER IS AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES
11 x 17 inches 13 x 19 inches This poster covers the essential mechanics and tactics involved in temptation and the reasons why God's Providence allows temptation in the first place. It also looks at what can be done to alleviate and forestall temptations. |
Don't Miss Out on
Your Ash Wednesday Posters Both posters are in Adobe PDF format ASH WEDNESDAY MONK Contains the prayers used for the blessing of the ashes and some meditative thoughts on the ashes. ASHES ON FOREHEAD POSTER Contains the history behind the use of ashes on Ash Wednesday POSTER IS AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES 11 x 17 inches 13 x 19 inches |
THE JESSE TREE 2016 CALENDAR
Listing the Holy Days of Obligation and other important feasts of the Liturgical Year This poster is available in TWO SIZES. (1) Adobe PDF file (11 inches x 17 inches) (2) Adobe PDF file (13 inches x 19 inches) THE CALENDAR POSTERS ARE FOUND AT THE TOP OF THE DOWNLOADS PAGE (click here) or on the poster opposite. A Jesse Tree is a depiction of the genealogy of Jesus designed in such a way as to show that He springs from the "root of Jesse" as stated by the prophecy of Isaias 11:1: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse [David's father], and a flower shall rise up out of his root.” This prophecy was recalled by St. Paul, and on the first Sunday of Advent, we remember his words with the Epistle reading of Romans 15:4-13, which reads, in part: “Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honor of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: ‘Therefore will I confess to Thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to Thy name!’ And again he saith: ‘Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people!’ And again: ‘Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and magnify Him, all ye people!’ And again Isaias saith: ‘There shall be a root of Jesse; and He that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope!’” |
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE POSTER
Poster available in THREE sizes (1) A PDF poster measuring 8.5 x 11 inches (Letter Size) (2) A PDF poster measuring 11 x 17 inches (Tabloid Size) (3) A PDF poster measuring 13 x 19 inches (Super Photo Size) Immaculate Heart of Mary, Heart of my Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, I unite to thy purity, thy sanctity, thy zeal and thy love, All my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings of this day, That there may be nothing in me that does not become, through thee, A pleasure to Jesus, a profit to souls, And an act of reparation for the offenses against thy Heart. Amen. |
HOUSE OF PRAYER OR FASHION?
Poster available in THREE sizes (1) A PDF poster measuring 11 x 8.5 inches (Letter Size) (2) A PDF poster measuring 17 x 11 inches (Tabloid Size) (3) A PDF poster measuring 19 x 13 inches (Super Photo Size) For Holy Mass I must myself prepare!
But is time spent on prayer or my face and hair? I must take care to appear my best! But is it for Our Lord, or all the rest? Do I go Our Lord to see? Or do I go so that all can see me? |
READ THE "UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT ON PURGATORY"
CLICK HERE OR ON THE BOOK COVER TO GO TO THE APPROPRIATE PAGE At the expressed desire of the Directors of the Bulletin Notre Dame de la Bonne Mort (Our Lady of the Good Death), this pamphlet is published with all the reservations ordered by the Church in the decree of Pope Urban VIII, and as a purely historical document. It was sent to that periodical by a zealous and devout missionary and is a pious document based on alleged conversations between a nun and a soul in Purgatory. This manuscript contains very interesting statements about the life beyond the grave, particularly about Purgatory. The details are intermingled with much spiritual direction. Its authenticity is beyond doubt. A nun, identified for us merely as Sister M. de L. C., of a convent at V., without warning began to hear prolonged sighs beside her. This was in November 1873. She cried out, “Oh, who are you, you frighten me. Whatever you do, don’t show yourself. Tell me, who are your?” No answer was forthcoming. The sighs continued and even came nearer. In vain did the poor Sister multiply her prayers, communions, ways of the cross, and rosaries. The sighs did not cease and remained unexplained until February 15, 1874, when a voice she recognized was heard saying: “Do not be afraid, you will not see me in my sufferings. I am Sister M. G.” Sister M. G. was a nun who had died at V., a victim to devotion and duty, February 22nd, 1871, at the age of 36.
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PRAY MORE, PLAY LESS
Poster available in THREE sizes 1. PDF 8.5 inches by 11 inches 2. PDF 11 inches by 17 inches 3. PDF 13 inches by 19 inches (click here) to go to downloads page |
THE HOLY SOUL-UTION TO YOUR PROBLEMS!
Poster available in THREE sizes 1. Adobe PDF 8.5 inches by 11 inches 2. Adobe PDF 11 inches by 17 inches 3. Adobe PDF 13 inches by 19 inches (click here) to go to downloads page |
SHAME ON YOU!
Poster available in THREE sizes 1. PDF 8.5 inches by 11 inches 2. PDF 11 inches by 17 inches 3. PDF 13 inches by 19 inches (click here) to go to downloads page |
ST. RAPHAEL ARCHANGEL POSTER
(feast day today: October 24th) Click on the St. Raphael poster alongside to go to the DOWNLOADS page. Scroll down and look under "ANGEL POSTERS" Available in THREE sizes (1) Letter Size ( 8.5 inches x 11 inches) (2) Tabloid Size (11 inches x 17 inches) (3) Super Photo Size (13 inches x 19 inches) |
Poster FATIMA MIRACLE OF THE SUN Poster available in TWO sizes only 1. Adobe PDF 11 inches by 17 inches 2. Adobe PDF 13 inches by 19 inches (click here) to go to downloads page |
HOW MANY ROSARY ROUNDS FIRED?
Poster available in THREE sizes (1) A PDF poster measuring 11 x 8.5 inches (Letter Size) (2) A PDF poster measuring 17 x 11 inches (Tabloid Size) (3) A PDF poster measuring 19 x 13 inches (Super Photo Size) Praying like a machine-gun may be fun,
But with fast prayers battles are seldom won! Yet victory needs bullets to fly through the air. Likewise the Church's triumph needs lots of prayer. In war a soldier fights more than just ten minutes a day Soldiers of Christ must force themselves much more to pray. |
WHICH GROUP DO YOU BELONG TO?
Poster available in LETTER size only (click here) to go to downloads page (1) A PDF poster measuring 11 x 8.5 inches (Letter Size) Our thorn-crowned Savior stands alone
His "faithful" followers have all away flown The banner of the Cross is unfurled Yet they prefer the banner of the world No prayer, or penance, or sacrifice is found As the worldlings prefer to flock around The allurements that the world presents Making Hell rejoice, while Heaven laments Blindly they follow the broad wide road Seeking fun, rejecting the Cross and its load For pleasure and wealth is before their eyes Blinding them to their ultimate demise |
ANGEL COP SPEEDING TICKET
Poster available in THREE sizes (1) A PDF poster measuring 11 x 8.5 inches (Letter Size) (2) A PDF poster measuring 17 x 11 inches (Tabloid Size) (3) A PDF poster measuring 19 x 13 inches (Super Photo Size) Do you have a license to pray?
Or do you wing it every day? The Rules of Prayer do you heed? Or do you disregard them as you speed? Prayer can be a matter of life and death So don't blurt out prayers in one single breath! He who prays well, also lives well But he who prays badly may end up in ....! |
CHAINED TO THE WORLD
Poster available in THREE sizes (1) A PDF poster measuring 11 x 8.5 inches (Letter Size) (2) A PDF poster measuring 17 x 11 inches (Tabloid Size) (3) A PDF poster measuring 19 x 13 inches (Super Photo Size) Our Lord came the world to save
Yet we make ourselves of the world a slave! The Kingdom of God we first should seek, Yet most seek the world all through the week! We gorge on the world with appetite unrestrained, Until the prince of the world has us entangled and chained! |
A saint who is sad, is indeed a sad saint!
Yet if your god is your belly, a saint you ain't! A bit of humor with a little truth, Can help us change, as we grow long in the sweet tooth! Many a true word can be said in jest, If their goal is to bring out of us our best! Faith grows dim when we God no longer seek; And that, in turn, makes our love of God weak! For we were made to love God with all our heart! Yet today God is forsaken and many from Him depart! When man turns from God to material things, Inevitably chastisement this brings! |
Crosswords can be a fun way of reminding ourselves of what we already know and also learning new facts that we did not know. We hope to regularly post crosswords that deal with a variety of aspects concerning Our Lady: her life, her apparitions, her messages and devotion to her in general. We hope you find time over your favorite snack or drink to tackle these not-too-difficult crosswords.
You can download each crossword in an Adobe PDF format (which will include the blank crossword, the clues and a filled-in crossword showing the correct answers; or you can print the crossword from what you see online, that is on your computer screen (which will include the blank crossword and the clues, BUT NO ANSWERS, as the answers will be posted a day or two later. Enjoy! Ave Maria! (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE PAGE) |