Today, we celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in body and soul to Heaven. Today —St. Bernard says—“the Virgin, full of glory, is taken up to heaven, showering the celestial beings with joy”. And he will add these precious words: “What a beautiful present the earth is today sending to heaven! With this wonderful gesture of friendship —such as giving and receiving— the human and the divine, the earthly and the heavenly, the humble and the sublime, merge into one. It is there, the most precious earthly fruit, where the best presents and the most valuable gifts come from. Taken up to heaven, the Virgin Mary will lavish her gifts on all men”.

For pictures, goto Virgin Mary Assumption Pictures

The first gift she lavishes on us is the Word, that She knew how to keep so faithfully in her heart, by making it bear fruit from the very profound and warm silence. With this Word in her interior space, while begetting in her womb the Life for all men, “Mary set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (Lk 1:39-40). Mary’s presence exults in joy, and Elizabeth says: “The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy” (Lk 1:44).

She, mostly, presents us with the gift of her commendation, her same joy made music, her Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my savior!…” (Lk 1:46-47). What a beautiful gift the heaven sends back to us with Mary’s song, made word of God.

In this song we find the signs to learn how the human and the divine, the earthly and the celestial blend together, while being able to react, as She does, to the gift God presents us with, in the person of his Son, through his Saint Mother: to become a gift from God to the world, and tomorrow, a gift from mankind to God, by following Mary’s example, who precedes us in this glorification which we are bound to.

Read more on Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary

- – - reflection by Fr. Josep ALEGRE Abbot of Santa Maria de Poblet

These are Rosary meditations for the Hail Marys. It is for those who would like to meditate on the mysteries & still finish their Rosary in 20 minutes! Let us set apart 20 minutes a day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary who does not hesitate to lavish upon us innumerable & most precious graces we need to perform the duties of our state, our christian duties & to sanctify our souls!

Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Thursday, Sunday of Advent)

Annunciation:

1. Mary is Ever Virgin
2. The Angel greets Her,“ Ave Maria !”
3. Mary is ‘Full of Grace’
4. Mary is Ever Blessed
5. Jesus is the fruit of Her womb
6. Mary is Mother of God
7. Mary said ‘Yes’
8. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary
9. All things are possible for God
10. Mary obeyed God

Visitation:

1. Mary visits Elizabeth
2. Elizabeth is pregnant
3. Mary is the Help of Christians
4. Mary is the Arc of the Covenant
5. Mary is The Mother of the Lord
6. Mary Magnifies God
7. God is Her Savior
8. All ages shall call Her Blessed
9. John the Baptist is born
10. He asked people to repent

Nativity:

1. In the Beginning was the Word
2. The Word was God
3. Through Him all things were made
4. The Word was made flesh
5. The Angels sing !
6. The Shepherds adore !
7. The Magi bring gifts !
8. Myrrh to honor His Crucifixion !
9. Frankincense to honor His Divinity !
10. Gold to honor his Kingship !

Presentation:

1. Jesus is taken to the Temple
2. Jesus is Consecrated to God
3. Mary is purified
4. Jesus is not subject to the law
5. Yet to teach obedience He submits to it
6. Mary does not need purification
7. Yet in Humility She submits to it
8. Simeon blessed them
9. I have seen thy salvation
10. A sword shall pierce the Immaculate heart !

Finding the Child Jesus:

1. Jesus is 12 years old
2. He goes to the temple for the Passover feast
3. Jesus stayed back in the temple without His parents knowing it
4. They realize that He is accidentally lost
5. They are anxious
6. When we lose Jesus we are anxious
7. No Jesus, No peace
8. Know Jesus , Know peace
9. On the third day they find Him.
10. Everyone is astonished at His Wisdom !

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday of Lent)

Agony in the Garden:

1. My soul is sorrowful unto death
2. Be vigilant & watch
3. In His agony He prayed more earnestly
4. He sweated blood
5. He saw our sins
6. Our sins wound His heart
7. Let this cup pass away
8. Not my will but thine
9. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
10. Pray for perfect contrition

Scourging:

1. He is falsely accused
2. He is taken before Pilate
3. Barrabas is preferred to Jesus
4. Jesus is scourged
5. He suffered to pay the price for our sexual sins
6. Our Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit
7. We must keep our bodies pure
8. He is wounded for our transgressions
9. He was bruised for our iniquities
10. By His stripes we are healed

Crowning with thorns:

1. Jesus is the King of kings
2. His kingship is mocked
3. They strip off His clothes
4. They make a crown of thorns
5. They force it upon His head
6. They give Him a reed as scepter
7. He suffered to make reparation for our pride
8. They spat on Him
9. They struck Him on the head
10. Jesus is the King of the Jews

Carrying the Cross:

1. He carried the whole world’s sin on His shoulders
2. He was condemned to death
3. He fell 3 times
4. His shoulders were wounded
5. He met His Mother
6. Ema(Mother) , behold I make all things new
7. Holy Face of Jesus , I adore thee !
8. Weep not for me , but for yourselves !
9. Take up your cross & follow me !
10. My yoke is easy & my burden is light !

Crucifixion:

1. Jesus is nailed to the cross
2. Father forgive them
3. This day you’ll be with me in paradise
4. Woman behold your son
5. Son Behold your Mother
6. Mary is the new Woman(Eve)
7. I thirst
8. It is finished
9. Into your hands I commend my spirit
10. Precious blood sanctify me !

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday of Easter season & ordinary time)

Resurrection:

1. Jesus is Risen !
2. Jesus is the resurrection & life
3. Death has no power over Him
4. Fruit of this mystery: Faith
5. Faith in His Divinity
6. Faith in the efficacy of His Crucifixion
7. Faith in His Resurrection
8. He is no longer in the Tomb
9. His resurrection gave us a new life
10. Blessed are they who don’t see, yet believe !

Ascension:

1. I am with you always
2. Go & preach all nations
3. The Holy Spirit shall empower you
4. My peace I give you
5. Jesus gave them the ability to forgive sins
6. The fruit of the Ascension is Hope
7. Hope of His return
8. Hope of Eternal life
9. Christ is King
10. Jesus is our mediator with the Father

Pentecost:

1. The Holy Spirit Enables us
2. The Holy Spirit intercedes
3. Holy Spirit the Deity
4. The Holy Spirit is our Friend
5. The Holy Spirit enlightens us
6. The Holy Spirit is the Finger of God
7. The Holy Spirit is the Spouse of Mary
8. The Holy Spirit empowers us
9. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us
10. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Grace & Life

Assumption:

1. The Immaculate goes to Ephesus with St. John the Beloved
2. Mary Consoles , comforts & strengthens the apostles
3. Mary nourishes the church
4. It is time for Mary to go to Heaven
5. Mary goes to make Her Stations of the Cross
6. Mary longs for God
7. Mary’s death is called Dormition (Sleep)
8. She is Assumed into Heaven
9. Her Body & Soul are with God
10. Mary, obtain for me a Happy death

Coronation:

1. Mary , Queen of Heaven & Earth
2. Mary, Queen of Angels
3. Mary, Queen of all Graces
4. Mary , Queen of Creation
5. Mary , Queen of Redemption
6. Mary , Queen of all Saints
7. Mary, Queen of all Hearts
8. Mary , Queen conceived without original sin
9. Mary, Queen of the Rosary
10. Mary, Queen of Mount Carmel

- – - written by Aditya Tawde, servant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

I’ll sing of a maiden
With a beauty so rare
Mother of Our Saviour
From the land of Israel.

Requested by Gabriel
To bring forth God’s Son
The Redeemer of all
From the evil of sin.

Oh Immaculate Virgin,
Dear Mother of us all,
Your “Yes” was required
To redress Adam’s fall.

And now loving Spouse
Of the Spirit of Love
We desire to bring others
To share in our trove.

And as Our Lord Jesus
Is always with You
May we draw ever closer
To walk with You two…

For life is a vocation
To follow Your Son
God’s source of salvation
For each and everyone.

- – - written by Liam O Comain