Our Blessed Mother has asked us to make reparation for sins to her Immaculate Heart. She told the little children at Fatima that Jesus wants her to be known and loved and that we should have a special devotion to her Immaculate Heart. Our Blessed Mother also told the little Fatima children, “I promise to help at the hour of death, with the graces needed for salvation, whoever on the First Saturday of five consecutive months shall: go to confession, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.
We can continue our practice of keeping the Blessed mother company. Here are some points to ponder, a brief meditation and a prayer to help you in your Devotional practice.
The First Joyful Mystery- The Annunciation
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be… And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:26-38
- Mary’s humble and unreserved yes is the ultimate example of what it means to say yes to God.
- As with Mary, certain souls’ salvation depends on our yes to God’s call to holiness and evangelization.
- Mary says yes to God without knowing what will happen and how it will all end. Our yes should not be contingent on our understanding or approval of God’s plan.
The Fruit of the Mystery-Humility
The Joyful Mysteries are marked by the joy radiating from the event of the Incarnation. This is clear from the very first mystery, the Annunciation, where Gabriel’s greeting to the Virgin of Nazareth is linked to an invitation to messianic joy: “Rejoice, Mary.” The whole of salvation …had led up to this greeting.
Reflection from Pope St. John Paul II,
The Joyful Mysteries-the fruits or virtues
The Annunciation-Humility
“And when the angel had come to her, he said, “” Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou among women.”’ – Luke 1:28
The Visitation- Love of Neighbor
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy spirit and cried out in a loud voice: “Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb.” – Luke 1:41-42
The Birth of Jesus- Poverty
She gave birth to her first born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodged -Luke2:7
The Presentation – Obedience
When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem, so that He could be presented to the Lord. – Luke 2;22-23
Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple- Joy in finding Jesus
On the third day they came upon Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. -Luke 2:46
Pray the Rosary every day!
