The Feast Days of the Virgin Mary
Written by Margaret Odrowaz-Sypniewska
The music playing is "Ave Maria" by Schubert.From: Roman Catholic Resources
In Poland this is called Mother of God of the Blessed Thunder Candle (Candlemas). This is a day of purification. Candles are decorated with ribbons or liturgical symbols and are brought to the church to be blessed by the priest. The blessed candles (called gromnice) are then brought home and are burned before a portrait of the Blessed Mother, until sunrise the following day.
The manifestation of Mary took place at Lourdes, France in 1858. Mary appeared to a peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous.
All saints in Heaven owe very much of their sanctity to the holiness of their mothers. Good mothers enjoy great interior peace of the soul in life and in their old age. Raising a good child is the fruits of a mother's labors.
A month for special devotions to the Mother of God. There are generally processionals, hymns, and rosaries to say for "Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament."
In Poland. it is called Blessed Mother of the Herbs or Our Lady of the Herbs. This is an important date for the gathering of the garden, field, and forest herbs and flowers. Every village housewife brings a bouquet of specially collected herbs to be blessed by the priest. This blessing is believed to heighten the power of the plants, so that they may make better curatives or seasonings.
This is the day Mary's body and soul went to Heaven. Mary in Heaven is raised up in glory above all saints.
The birth of Mary was not marked by worldly wealth or grandeur. Her parents were Joachim and Anne. They were not blessed with worldly wealth, but Mary was said to have wealth beyond that of kings in this world. In the eyes of God, worldly wealth and power are of little consequence. We notice that God has never blessed His dearest and chosen friends with an abundance of worldly goods, because this would only cause people to set their hearts in the world at hand, and its flories and pleasures. Mary was not wealthy, but she had treasures beyond. She was chosen to be the Mother of Jesus, above all women of her time. She had a life of grace in her soul. External honors and dignitaries are of no consequence to God.
When Mary was three years old she gave herself to the service of God. She lived in a temple for twelve years. Historians know very little of her life at this time. It is thought that she cared for the sick and suffering children. When the Archangel Gabriel appears to her and tells her that she has been chosen to be the Mother of the Redeemer, she says neither "yes" nor "no." She only asks how this is to be when she has taken a vow of virginity. She states: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to thy word." Mary trusts that God will not corrupt her. She has the Immaculate Conception of her child, as the Son of God. We can not separate Jesus from Mary. He spent thirty years of his mortal life with his Mother, who he gave a willing and perfect obedience. By being the Mother of God, Mary was elevated higher than all the other saints put together.
Many think Mary lived twenty-four years after the Ascension of Jesus. The daily Communion of Mary towards the end of her life was practically all that she ate. St Agnatious of Antioch asked Mary to assist him in his struggles regarding his own faith. Mary spent all her spare time before the Tabernacle in loving converse with Jesus.
On September 16, 1846; two peasant children were guarding their master's cattle near the mountain of La Salette (near Grenoble, France). A beautiful lady (the Madonna) appeared to the children and told them about the irreligious lives of their citizens. The first warning was about the santification of Sunday. The second was about the improper use of the name of God. She reminded that when people are prosperous they generally do not think of heavenly things. They make their paradise on earth, with empty pleasures and unstable wealth, which seemingly do not make them happy. They strive for more and more things. Many people of the world worship money or their own passions. They tell themselves that this is fine, because they are doing what THEY want. However, this is not what God wants. She spoke of Sunday as the day of rest for Communion and prayer, not for activities of leisure and pleasure.
Pope Leo XIII issued thirteen encyclicals on the Rosary and recommended a family prayer for every Catholic home. This feast took its origin from the Catholic forces over the Mohammedans at the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571.
SOURCES:
Knab, Sophie Hodorowicz. Polish Customs, Traditions, and Folklore. New York: Hippocrene Books, 1998.
O'Laverty, B.A., Fr. H. The Mother of God and Her Glorious Feasts. Rockford, IL.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1977 (reprinted from The Mother of God's Glorious Feasts, 1908).
Wheeler, Marion. Her Face: Images of the Virgin Mary in Art. Cobb, CA.: First Glance Book, 1998.
RELATED LINKS:
The Great Feast Days of the Orthodox Church ... Icons of the Mother of God
The Blessed Virgin Mary: Apologetics Page
Owner: Raymond Sypniewski, B.S., M.A.
Email Margaret: Margaret
This page was last updated on August 3, 2006
