Queen of the Universe

Feast of Mary, Queen of Heaven

August 23

Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, Mary is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court.

The feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his 1954 encyclical To the Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out that Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection and because of her intercessory power.

Salve Regina

Mary, as Queen of Heaven, is praised in the Salve Regina (Hail Queen) which can be sung in the time from Trinity Sunday until the first Sunday of Advent.

As a prayer to the Virgin Mary, the Hail Holy Queen is the final prayer of the Rosary.

You and your family have been enrolled in a special novena of Masses.

The Masses will be celebrated at the

Legionaries of Christ Seminary in

Cheshire, Connecticut

In the fourth century St. Ephrem (June 9)  called Mary “Lady” and “Queen.” Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship.

Prayer to Mary, Queen of Heaven (Salve Regina)

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee to we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Legionaries of Christ

Roswell, GA

Prayer to the Queen of Heaven

Prayer to St., Mary, Queen of Heaven

Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels,

you received from God the power and command to crush the head of Satan.

Therefore, we humbly beg of you, send forth the legions of Heaven,

that under your command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle,

curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. “Who is like unto God?”

With firm confidence we present ourselves before you, our most loving Mother,

afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg you to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition,

if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation: 

(mention your request).

Good and tender Mother, you shall ever be our hope and the object of our love.

Mother of God, send forth the Holy Angels to defend us and drive far from us the cruel foe.
Holy Angels and Archangels, defend and keep us.

Aug 19: Dinosaurs Invade Breckenridge

Friday, August 19:

Dinosaurs were on the loose in Breckenridge today - https://goo.gl/photos/bSXR1r1fird6wJzg8

Little kids loved it!

It was part of an Arts Festival in Breck.   Lots of tourists still up in the mountains.

Rocco And His Dog

St. Roch / Rocco

St. Roch (d. 1327) was born in Montpellier, France, the son of the city's governor. He was born with a red cross on his chest, a sign that the Blessed Virgin had answered his mother's prayer to heal her barrenness. As a child St. Roch fasted twice a week after the example of his mother.

When he was 20 years old his parents died; he then gave his wealth to the poor and handed the government of the city over to his uncle. Disguised as a pilgrim he set out for Italy. He came to a city badly stricken by the plague and stayed to help the sick. He cured many people simply by making the Sign of the Cross over them. The same thing happened at every plague-infested area that he passed through on his way to Rome.

When he reached Piacenza he himself contracted the disease in his leg, and he awaited his death in a remote forest hut. Providentially, a Count's hunting dog befriended him, brought him food, and licked his wounds. A spring arose nearby providing fresh water. The Count, one day following his dog, discovered and befriended the saint.

Slowly St. Roch's health was restored, after which he returned to his native Montpellier. He refused to disclose his identity so that he could remain poor and unknown, for which he was cast into prison by his uncle under suspicion of being a spy. He died in prison five years later. His identity was then discovered by the mark of the red cross on his chest.

At his funeral many miracles attested to his sanctity, and a church was erected for his veneration.

St. Roch is the patron of dogs, surgeons, invalids, bachelors, and against plaque and pestilence.

His feast day is August 16th.

Be sure your dog wears a ribbon today

Where did we get the term “the dog days of summer?”   We can thank St. Rocco and his dog.

August 16 is Saint Roch's (Rocco) Day.  Though not as celebrated as it once was, today is considered the "birthday of all dogs."  It was the custom in Europe for dogs to be seen around town with colorful ribbons tied to them.

How to celebrate the Feast of St. Rocco:

      Tie a colorful ribbon to your dog and go out together for a walk.   You might even decorate the ribbon with “VSR” for Viva San Rocco!          

The initials VSR (Viva San Rocco or Long Live St. Rocco) can still be found above doorways in Europe: This was engraved as a plea to ward off the plague.

Watch the movie, “The Drop.”  A statue of St. Rocco, with a dog at his feet, is featured in the 2014 film "The Drop" starring Tom Hardy and James Gandolfini (his last feature film). The protagonist Bob, played by Hardy, names his adopted dog Rocco.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Roch

Assumption Novena @ Conventual Friars

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

&

Novena Of Masses to St. Anthony of Padua

August 15 – 23

“Blessed is the womb of the glorious Virgin who for nine months was worthy to carry all goodness,

the highest goodness, the bliss of angels and reconciliation of sinners.”

~ St. Anthony

You and your family will be included in this Novena of daily prayers and Masses.

These special intentions will also be included in this Novena:

-          Richard & Mary Pat Helgeson: Rest in Peace

“Our Lady, our only hope, we are asking you to illumine our souls with the brilliance of your grace,

to cleanse us with the splendor of our purity, to cheer us with the warmth of your presence,

and to reconcile us with your Son, that we may be worthy of His glory.”

~ St. Anthony of Padua

Conventual Franciscan Friars

Province of Our Lady of Consolation

Mount St. Francis, IN

Assumption Novena @ National Shrine

Novena in Honor of the Assumption of Mary

August 15 – 24

You and your family will be included in the prayers offered during this Novena.

Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven,

I rejoice that after years of heroic martyrdom on earth,

you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in heaven by the Holy Trinity.

Lift my heart with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity.

Teach me how small earth becomes when viewed from heaven.

Make me realize that death is the triumphant gate through which I shall pass to your Son,

and that someday my body shall rejoin my soul in the unending bliss of heaven.

From this earth, over which I tread as a pilgrim,

I look to you for help. I ask for this favor: (Mention your request).

When my hour of death has come,

lead me safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of my God for all eternity together with you.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Washington, DC

www.nationalshrine.org