The Marian Threshold
There were three early thresholds that Karol Wojtyla crossed in becoming a slave of love for Jesus in Mary: his family home, the parish church of Wadowice, and the Shrine of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.
Small Town Lessons
Karol Wojtyla’s devotion to Mary was first planted in his family home. His mother’s and father’s influence was briefly touched on in our last post. In this new post, we want to consider the second seedbed of Marian devotion: his local parish and the surrounding Catholic community.
Devotion Begins at Home
In 1994, Time Magazine honored John Paul II, by calling him the “Man of the Year”. Thirty years later, we could also call him the “Man of the Century”. Among the many things that made this man “great” was his great love for Mary. His example of being a slave of love for Mary can help us “marianize” our lives as well.
Never left unaided
Looking for security? Look to Mary. Never was it known that she ever left her children unaided.
Trust Mary Always
Does consecration to Mary save us from all harm? No. Absolutely speaking, consecration to Mary does not save us from all harm. It does however, guarantee Mary’s motherly care and protection for our eternal well-being. Mary may not save us from every accident, danger, illness, or even death itself, but she will save us from eternal damnation.
Live Loudly for Mary
Is it a wrong thing for Christian dogma to “live loudly” within us? A few years back the late Senator Dianne Feinstein thought so. During the interview process for Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing, the senator indicated that she was concerned that Judge Barrett’s Catholic faith would influence her discernment as a federal judge, saying, “The dogma lives loudly within you.”
More Reasons to Love Her
Does knowing more about Mary automatically lead to loving her more?
Trust Her
We bear this treasure in vessels of clay. Such is the expression that St. Paul uses to describe the human person in the state of grace. The expression could equally be applied to the gift of our Marian consecration. We bear the great treasure of being loving slaves of Mary in vessels of clay, that is to say, in the midst of our human weakness.
What is your glory?
In the coming months, Catholics in the modern world can expect the glorification of “modern” saints. First, there is the projected canonization of the Church’s “first millennial saint” in Blessed Carlo Acutis. Then, there is also a holy buzz going around about the possible canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the Italian engineering student who joyfully lived a serious spirituality rooted in the Eucharist, Marian devotion, and charity.
Hearts Made Pure (part II)
Mary’s heart was the first human heart to always be the dwelling place of God. Her heart was an interior home always pure, always open to God’s action and grace.
