The Assumption of Mary takes place every year on the 15th of August. It’s considered one of the Holy Days of Obligation when Catholics are expected to attend Mass and be in the presence of the Eucharist – just like every Sunday. Mary is the beautiful virgin mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ (our famous “Carpenter”).
Today we are called to remember & rejoice Mary being wholly assumed (body & soul) up to Heaven where she joined her son, Jesus Christ. Knowing her plan and path from the beginning, Mary’s immaculate conception of the precious baby Jesus was intended to keep her free from the stains of sin and allow her to remain in the perfect state to be “assumed” directly into Heaven upon her death.
Graciously, an anonymous benefactor donated dozens of monthly Magnificat books to St. Wenceslaus. These are day by day prayers, reflections, daily mass readings, and some tidbits of literature & quotes. I picked up my first one earlier this year while on maternity leave with Cambrie – it’s definitely nice to have everything you may need to “go to” during the day in one pocket-sized book!
Anyway, here are a few pictures of today’s entry for reference:
At some point, I’d like to focus more on praying the rosary… I have a beautiful blood-orange rosary that still looks too new! I’ve used it during Adoration as well as praying at my grandpa’s bedside, BUT I’ve only really participated in the prayers and NOT yet brought in meditating on the specific mysteries. Someday.
I mention the rosary because of the “Hail Mary” prayers recited on each small bead (10) between the 5 big decade beads (that’s 50 Hail Marys in ONE rosary, if anyone is keeping track).
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art those amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus Christ.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
HAIL MARY.
For now, I feel particularly drawn to going to God in prayer unceasingly, accepting His will (not mine) as outcomes, and keeping up with a monthly Examination of Conscience for confessions. I know in my heart I truly need to dive deep into the Confession/Repentance aspect so I’ll do my best to focus on growing that specific part of my relationship with God.
Blessed Is She has daily devotional emails they send out – I came across the below entry of today’s devotion to Mary.
“Recently, I was sharing with a friend about a complicated and messy situation in my life, full of contradictions. It feels like I should have known better, yet I’d probably do it just the same if faced with the same circumstances again. There is little reason to expect a positive resolution, yet I can’t see how I could give up hope. It is less important than other things I have going on in my life, but it’s the thing I think about the most. She asked if I have been praying about it, and I told her yes, as long as asking-God-to-conform-my-will-to-His-while-simultaneously-really-just-wanting-God-to-do-what-I-say counts as “praying” (note: I think it does).
My friend passed on some advice she had received. She told me to take the whole big mess of feelings and complications and contradictions and hurt and hope and regret and embarrassment and upset and give it to Mary. She said Mary will take all the tangles, all the thorns, arrange them like flowers in a bouquet, and present them to God for me. She told me: give it to Mary, because Mary makes all things beautiful for God, and God makes all things beautiful for her.
Blessed Is She daily devotional entry – Mary, Mother of Jesus
One final thought: take a listen to the song “Mom” by Donna Taggart. The lyrics are perfect and too precious not to pass on <3
Donna Taggart – Mom (Lyrics)
Little baby told God, hey I’m kind of scared
I don’t really know if I want to go down there
From here it looks like a little blue ball
It’s a great big place, and I’m so small
Why can’t I just stay here with you
Did I make you mad, don’t you want me too
God said child, of course I do
But there’s somebody special waiting for youSo hush now baby, don’t you cry
‘Cause there’s someone down there waiting, whose only goal in life
Is making sure you’re always gonna be alright
A loving angel, tender, tough and strong
It’s almost time to go and meet your MomYou’ll never have a better friend
Or a warmer touch to tuck you in
She’ll kiss your bruises, your bumps and scrapes
And anytime you hurt, her heart’s gonna breakAnd when she’s talking to you, be sure you listen close
‘Cause she’ll teach you everything you’ll ever need to know
Like how to mind your manners
To love and laugh and dream
And she’ll put you on the path that will bring you back to meSo hush now baby, don’t you cry
Songwriters: Wynn Varble, Donald Sampson. For non-commercial use only.
‘Cause there’s someone down there waiting, whose only goal in life
Is making sure you’re always gonna be alright
A loving angel, tender, tough and strong
Come on child it’s time to meet your Mom
