The snare of devotion to Mary.

[Galilee63]

Jesus, the Divine Mercy

The Image of the Divine Mercy originated from a vision St. Faustina had on Feb. 22, 1931.within the above link.

Jesus Christ our Saviour's Divine Mercy 9 Day Novena to be prayed while focussing on Jesus' bitter Passion and Sorrowful Stations of His Cross commencing Good Friday for those interested in being taken into Jesus' Divine Mercy now and at the hour of death.

"In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while, Jesus said to me, Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world. (Diary, 47)

I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory. (48)

When I told this to my confessor, I received this for a reply: "That refers to your soul." He told me, "Certainly, paint God's image in your soul." When I came out of the confessional, I again heard words such as these: My image already is in your soul. I desire that there be a Feast of Mercy. I want this image, which you will paint with a brush, to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy. (49)

During prayer I heard these words within me: The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls... These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross.

These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy".

Once, when I was visiting the artist [Eugene Kazimirowski] who was painting the Iage, and saw that it was not as beautiful as Jesus is, I felt very sad about it, but I hid this deep in my heart. When we had left the artist's house, Mother Superior [Irene] stayed in town to attend to some matters while I returned home alone. I went immediately to the chapel and wept a good deal. I said to the Lord, "Who will paint You as beautiful as You are?" Then I heard these words:

"Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace". (313)

"My gaze from this image is like My gaze from the cross". (326)

"I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: "Jesus, I trust in You." (327)

"I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it".
(341)

On Good Friday, at three o'clock in the afternoon, when I entered the chapel, I heard these words: I desire that the image be publicly honored. Then I saw the Lord Jesus dying on the Cross amidst great suffering, and out of the Heart of Jesus came the same two rays as are in the image. (414)


Divine Mercy Sunday

I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy. (299)
Ask of my faithful servant [Father Sopocko] that, on this day, he tell the whole world of My great mercy; that whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment.
Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.
Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul's distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness.
My Heart rejoices in this title of Mercy. (300)
Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy. (301)

... No soul will be justified until it turns with confidence to My mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone about My great and unfathomable mercy. I am making you the administrator of My mercy. Tell the confessor that the Image is to be on view in the church and not within the enclosure in that convent. By means of this Image I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it. (570)

I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. (699)

My daughter, if I demand through you that people revere My mercy, you should be the first to distinguish yourself by this confidence in My mercy. I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it.
I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first-by deed, the second-by word, the third-by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy. Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy, and I demand the worship of My mercy through the solemn celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the image which is painted. By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works. (742)

I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy. (1109)


The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy as a Novena

The Lord told me to say this chaplet for nine days before the Feast of Mercy. It is to begin on Good Friday. By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls. (Diary, 796)

Novena to The Divine Mercy which Jesus instructed me to write down and make before the Feast of Mercy. It begins on Good Friday.
I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fount of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever graces they need in the hardships of life and, especially, at the hour of death.
On each day you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls, and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy, and I will bring all these souls into the house of My Father. You will do this in this life and in the next. I will deny nothing to any soul whom you will bring to the fount of My mercy. On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My bitter Passion, for graces for these souls.
I answered, "Jesus, I do not know how to make this novena or which souls to bring first into Your Most Compassionate Heart." Jesus replied that He would tell me which souls to bring each day into His Heart. (1209)

First Day: Today, bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me. (1210)

Second Day: Today bring to Me the souls of priests and religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me the strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them, as through channels, My mercy flows out upon mankind. (1212)

Third Day: Today bring to Me all devout and faithful souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness. (1214)

Fourth Day: Today bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet know me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. (1216)

Fifth Day: Today bring to Me the souls of heretics and schismatics, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart; that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal, and in this way they alleviate My Passion. (1218)

Sixth Day: Today bring to Me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence. (1220)

Seventh Day: Today bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and entered most deeply into My Spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death. (1224)

Eighth Day: Today bring to Me the souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice. (1226)

Ninth Day: Today bring to Me souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: "Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will." For them, the last hope of salvation is to flee to My mercy. (1228)

Love and kindest wishes your sister in Jesus Christ our Saviour

 

[Galilee63]

My Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God has always requested I refrain from "reading all news items" - of which I do for the most part Mark over the years. I pray for all causes when informed however do not watch television, do not purchase magazines, newspapers, nor read online news, media statements, other than being informed via family members for causes to be prayed and/or by Jesus Christ our Saviour and The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God.

Therefore do not trust (satan works through the news agencies) what is contained within the "news" or media statements.

I pray to Jesus God The Most High and The Holy Spirit for Pope Francis and the Vatican members daily including all of Jesus/God/The Holy Spirit's Holy appointed chosen priests, sisters, nuns and religious clergies. Christian missionaries, missionaries and medical personnel assisting people living in poverty, dying and starving including many other Holy Causes and World Causes with all of The Glory to Thee Dear God my Heavenly Father now and forever, Amen.

Love and Kindest wishes your Sister in Jesus Christ our Saviour

 

[Albion]

Testimonials from true believers about their belief in the power of all manner of extra-Scriptural practices must have a place...somewhere. Here, however, they don't answer the question of the thread.

It seems simple enough to put it this way--

Respect for the mother of Christ, including honoring her with days on the church calendar, etc. should not offend any Christian. But like all good things, some people go overboard or take things to an extreme that truly can be wrong.

Each of us has to assess where we are on that spectrum. There is no doubt that some people give Mary no respect at all, while others treat her like a demi-god. The "right" approach would seem to be neither of those extremes.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Testimonials from true believers about their belief in the power of all manner of extra-Scriptural practices must have a place...somewhere. Here, however, they don't answer the question of the thread.

It seems simple enough to put it this way--

Respect for the mother of Christ, including honoring her with days on the church calendar, etc. should not offend any Christian. But like all good things, some people go overboard or take things to an extreme that truly can be wrong.

Each of us has to assess where we are on that spectrum. There is no doubt that some people give Mary no respect at all, while others treat her like a demi-god. The "right" approach would seem to be neither of those extremes.

The problem, of course, is that it doesn't take a lot to push people toward one end of the spectrum or the other.

 

[Albion]

The problem, of course, is that it doesn't take a lot to push people toward one end of the spectrum or the other.

That's probably true. For those who belong to churches that don't say much about Mary beyond what's necessary, showing any special regard for her is considered pretentious, or superstitious.

For those who are members of churches that do encourage giving honor to Mary, the more fabulous the legends that are believed about her and the more effusive the praise of her, the more such members mark themselves as devout.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

That's probably true. For those who belong to churches that don't say much about Mary beyond what's necessary, showing any special regard for her is considered pretentious, or superstitious.

For those who are members of churches that do encourage giving honor to Mary, the more fabulous the legends that are believed about her and the more effusive the praise of her, the more such members mark themselves as devout.

It would seem that Anglican and Lutheran would fall into this category. My experience with Lutherans, however, is that "legends" and "effusive praise" to Mary is not practiced. Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated in some Lutheran parishes, though.

 

[Albion]

It would seem that Anglican and Lutheran would fall into this category.

Oh, I think that's wrong on all counts. Or could you possibly have something else in mind that I'm not picking up?

My experience with Lutherans, however, is that "legends" and "effusive praise" to Mary is not practiced.

Then how does that square with what you said above???????

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Oh, I think that's wrong on all counts. Or could you possibly have something else in mind that I'm not picking up?


Then how does that square with what you said above???????

Perhaps semantics but you stated "churches that do encourage giving honor to Mary" which both of our Communions do. And among some Anglicans/ Lutherans devotion to Mary includes belief in apparitions.

There is leeway given to those who accept Catholic teaching but caution as well. Luther states that only a "strong" Christian can pray the Hail Mary.

 

[Albion]

Perhaps semantics but you stated "churches that do encourage giving honor to Mary" which both of our Communions do.

Yes, but then you highlighted the whole sentence, including the latter part where I described people who take honoring her too far.

And among some Anglicans/ Lutherans devotion to Mary includes belief in apparitions.

I guess you can find some people in almost any denomination--not all, but almost all--who believe these things. I certainly do not think that this is characteristic of either Anglicans or Lutherans, however; and the most common kinds of excessive devotionalism are denounced by both churches.

There is leeway given to those who accept Catholic teaching but caution as well. Luther states that only a "strong" Christian can pray the Hail Mary.

Apparently there is some misunderstanding of what acts or beliefs I was referring to when I spoke of fabulous legends, etc.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Yes, but then you highlighted the whole sentence, including the latter part where I described people who take honoring her too far.


I guess you can find some people in almost any denomination--not all, but almost all--who believe these things. I certainly do not think that this is characteristic of either Anglicans or Lutherans, however; and the most common kinds of excessive devotionalism are denounced by both churches.



Apparently there is some misunderstanding of what acts or beliefs I was referring to when I spoke of fabulous legends, etc.

I don't think we disagree on abuses but also those abuses are less common now a days, in my opinion. In the Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue there was consensus on Marian devotion since Vatican II.

 

[Albion]

I don't think we disagree on abuses but also those abuses are less common now a days, in my opinion.

I guess it would be hard to say for certain. I still see a lot of it, and because the interest in Marian devotions has waxed and waned throughout history, I'm inclined to think we are still in one of the "up" periods.

Consider the near-mania over the alleged apparition in Yugoslavia a few years back (which, as I recall, the RCC did not authenticate) and various ones elsewhere. And the promotion of the supposed supernatural effects to be derived from saying the rosary hasn't diminished, from what I can tell. But, again, there is no data on this that I know of, and it varies from person to person, as I've noted before.

 

[Rhamiel]

Christianity has a deep history of honoring Mary
both in the East and the West
I wonder where Protestants get the idea that it is not good to honor Mary?

 

[Albion]

Christianity has a deep history of honoring Mary
both in the East and the West
I wonder where Protestants get the idea that it is not good to honor Mary?

Whom did you have in mind?

I've been a Protestant for many years, attended many different churches, and I'm not acquainted with very many people who think "it is not good to honor Mary."

 

[Rhamiel]

really?

how do Protestants honor Mary? I must admit I have not seen it done very often

very few hymns
no shrines or side alters
not much religious art
not a lot of chaplets or prayers
you know, stuff that Christians normally do to honor Mary

 

[Albion]

really?

how do Protestants honor Mary?

Whom do you have in mind? Or are your "questions" not serious?

 

[Rhamiel]

whom do I have in mind?
low church Protestants
I have known some Anglo-Catholics who have had a lovely devotion to the Blessed Mother
but with the majority of Protestants, I have not seen a lot of love for Mary

 

[Tigger45]

whom do I have in mind?
low church Protestants
I have known some Anglo-Catholics who have had a lovely devotion to the Blessed Mother
but with the majority of Protestants, I have not seen a lot of love for Mary

As far as 'devotion' to the BVM I would have to agree with you.

For the most part within Protestantism she is relegated to conceiving, birthing and raising Jesus. Then they might mention the marriage at Cana (primarily to mention His first miracle). And then lastly other than that she's is seen anguishing over her Son's crucifixion.

I myself who attends a Lutheran church probably fall into the Anglo-Catholic level of devotion.

 

[mark46]

whom do I have in mind?
low church Protestants
I have known some Anglo-Catholics who have had a lovely devotion to the Blessed Mother
but with the majority of Protestants, I have not seen a lot of love for Mary

Aaah, you are talking about low-church Protestants. The Reformers had a great reverence for the Virgin Mary, especially Luther, Calvin and Wycliffe.

Protestant views on Mary - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

We tend to think of US evangelicals as being Protestantism. They are but a vocal minority.

 

[Albion]

whom do I have in mind?
low church Protestants

Obviously, you're another one who doesn't know what the term "Low Church" means. It's normally applied to Anglicans but, in any case, the term refers to those who do not go in for excessive ceremony, posturing, etc. It does not imply non-liturgical worship or being opposed to ritual. Generally, Low Church Anglicans, for example, use the same Book of Common Prayer as their High Church colleagues.

I have known some Anglo-Catholics who have had a lovely devotion to the Blessed Mother

That's true.

but with the majority of Protestants, I have not seen a lot of love for Mary

You twice asked me about "honoring" Mary, if you recall, not what you're now calling "love for Mary."

I believe it's inaccurate to say that the "majority of Protestants" do not honor Mary. SOME Protestants might fit that bill--non-denoms, Anabaptists, puritans, Quakers, etc. could probably be described that way, but not Protestants in general.

Then you also asked why they don't or won't honor Mary. I believe that the answer is that those who don't honor her outwardly feel they should be guided by the Scriptures in that regard.

As we've discussed these matters here on CF, the point has often been made that such things as May Day celebrations of Mary, theorizing that we ought to consider her our Mother, our intermediary with the Father, the dispenser of all graces, the Queen of Heaven, ever-virgin, assumed bodily into Heaven, protector of those who make her their patron, immaculately conceived, and all the rest of those beliefs are the product of legend and custom (i. e. "Tradition") but not Scripture.

So I think that's the answer to that question.

 

[Rhamiel]

Obviously, you're another one who doesn't know what the term "Low Church" means. It's normally applied to Anglicans but, in any case, the term refers to those who do not go in for excessive ceremony, posturing, etc. It does not imply non-liturgical worship or being opposed to ritual. Generally, Low Church Anglicans, for example, use the same Book of Common Prayer as their High Church colleagues.

like most Methodists?
they have a liturgy, but it is very simplified

so yeah, most Low Church Protestants, do not seem to love or honor Mary