2ND AUGUST THEME: THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY
"And therefore she died in private. It became Him who died for the world, to die in the world's sight; it became the Great Sacrifice to be lifted up on high, as a light that could not be hid. But she, the lily of Eden, who had always dwelt out of the sight of man, fittingly did she die in the garden's shade, and amid the sweet flowers in which she had lived. Her departure made no noise in the world. The Church went about her common duties, preaching, converting, suffering; there were persecutions, there was fleeing from place to place, there were martyrs, there were triumphs: at length the rumour spread abroad that the Mother of God was no longer upon earth. Pilgrims went to and fro; they sought for her relics, but they found them not; did she die at Ephesus? or did she die at Jerusalem? reports varied; but her tomb could not be pointed out, or if it was found, it was open; and instead of her pure and fragrant body, there was a growth of lilies from the earth which she had touched. So, inquirers went home marvelling, and waiting for further light. And then it was said how that when her dissolution was at hand, and her soul was to pass in triumph before the judgment seat of her Son, the Apostles were suddenly gathered together in one place, even in the Holy City, to bear part in the joyful ceremonial; how that they buried her with fitting rites; how that the third day, when they came to the tomb, they found it empty, and angelic choirs with their glad voices were heard singing day and night the glories of their risen Queen. But, however we feel towards the details of this history (nor is there anything in it which will be unwelcome or difficult to piety), so much cannot be doubted, from the consent of the whole Catholic world and the revelations made to holy souls, that as is befitting, she is, soul and body, with her Son and God in heaven, and that we are enabled to celebrate not only her death, but her Assumption."
(John Henry Cardinal Newman, Discourses to Mixed Congregations, pp. 375-8; cited in J. Regina, ed., The Mystical Rose, St. Pauls Editions, 1960, pp. 91-94.)
(John Henry Cardinal Newman, Discourses to Mixed Congregations, pp. 375-8; cited in J. Regina, ed., The Mystical Rose, St. Pauls Editions, 1960, pp. 91-94.)
SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE AND THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY
SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS ON THE DORMITION OF THE MOST PURE MOTHER OF GOD
OUR LADY THEOTOKOS IN THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TRADITION
THE LARGEST MARIAN SHRINE IN THE WORLD: OUR LADY OF APARECIDO, BRAZIL
OUR LADY OF LOURDES & ST BERNADETTE
OUR LADY OF FATIMA
OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR or OUR LADY OF THE PASSION
OUR LADY OF KAZAN, PATRONESS OF RUSSIA
This list of shrines and icons of Our Lady is, of course, incomplete; and I shall be adding to it from time to time. I have left out the second largest Marian shrine, Guadalupe, because, if God wills, I shall be going there in the next few months and shall write about it when I get there.
Greetings to Andrew Grant who paid for my pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 1990, and to Jean Cornfoot - not a hobbit but a nurse - and the Middlesborough Pilgrimage to Lourdes who more than out up with me a few years ago. I hope to taste their Yorkshire beer the next time I am in England.
Greetings to Andrew Grant who paid for my pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 1990, and to Jean Cornfoot - not a hobbit but a nurse - and the Middlesborough Pilgrimage to Lourdes who more than out up with me a few years ago. I hope to taste their Yorkshire beer the next time I am in England.
THE FIRST AUGUST THEME: TEN POSTS ON THE MYSTERY OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
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