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THE FEAST OF NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

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The Nativity of Mary and the Spiritual Meaning of Devotion Reflections from the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich The following reflection is based on the recorded private revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich , as well as accounts associated with Saint Bridget of Sweden . These writings are shared for devotional reflection within the Catholic tradition and are not presented as doctrinal statements or guarantees of specific outcomes. In her visions, Anne Catherine Emmerich described receiving insight into what had been revealed to Saint Bridget concerning the conception and birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to these accounts, the Blessed Virgin encouraged expectant mothers to prepare spiritually for the Feast of her Nativity through prayer, fasting where appropriate, and the reverent recitation of nine Ave Marias in honor of the nine months she dwelt in the womb of Saint Anne. The devotion was described as an expression of trust and confidence in God’s providence. Thos...
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THE CHILD RECEIVES THE NAME MARY

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September 22nd–23rd The following account is taken from the recorded private revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich , a 19th-century Catholic mystic. It is shared here for devotional reflection within the Catholic tradition. In her visions, Anne Catherine Emmerich described the preparations made in the house of Saint Anne for a great feast. The furniture had been moved aside, and the dividing screens removed so that several small rooms became one large hall. Along both sides of this space stood long, low tables arranged for a celebratory meal. On the tables were delicate vessels with openwork tops resembling baskets, possibly intended for flowers. On a side table lay small white rods, which appeared to be made of bone, and spoons shaped like deep shells with ringed handles. There were also small curved tubes, perhaps used for sipping liquid. At the center of the hall stood a type of altar table covered in red and white cloths. Upon it rested a small trough-shaped cradle woven of re...
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THE BIRTH OF MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS

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The Birth of Mary According to the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich In her visions, Emmerich described the days leading up to the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the account, Saint Anne sensed that the time of her child’s birth was near and invited close relatives to be present. Among them were her sister Maraha, the widow Enue, and her niece Mary Salome. St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary The household prepared quietly and reverently. Joachim arranged offerings of thanksgiving and entrusted the home to family members. The atmosphere, as described in the vision, was one of prayerful expectation. Emmerich recounts that during the night, Anne gathered the women for prayer. The vision describes symbolic imagery associated with biblical themes — references to the promises made to Abraham and the prophetic signs of salvation history. In deeply symbolic language, Anne is portrayed as praying in thanksgiving for the fulfillment of God’s promises. The birth itself is ...
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THE EARLY MARRIED LIFE OF JOACHIM AND ANNE

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The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Their Life and Faith A Devotional Account from the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich The following narrative is based on the recorded private revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich , a 19th-century Catholic mystic.  Joachim and His Lineage In her visions, Anne Catherine Emmerich described Joachim as a man of humble and unassuming appearance. He was not physically impressive by worldly standards. He was described as short and broad, yet lean, with a simplicity that reflected neither vanity nor concern for outward beauty. Although deeply holy and devoted, he bore no external signs of grandeur. His piety, rather than his appearance, marked his true dignity. In contrast, Saint Joseph — though no longer young — was described as strikingly handsome in comparison. The family lineage, according to Emmerich’s account, connected them through the house of David. Joseph’s grandfather, Matthan, descended from David through Solomon. After Matthan’s death,...
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The Creation of Mary’s Soul According to Anne Catherine Emmerich

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The Creation of the Soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary A Devotional Account from the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich The following account is drawn from the recorded private revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich , a 19th-century Catholic mystic. It is shared for devotional reflection within the Catholic tradition and is not presented as a doctrinal definition or historical assertion. In her visions, Anne Catherine Emmerich described being shown a profound mystery concerning the creation of the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary and its union with her body. She perceived what she often described as the representation of the Most Holy Trinity in glory. In this vision, the divine majesty appeared to her in a symbolic form — at once resembling a vast radiant mountain and yet also suggesting a majestic human figure. From within this brilliance, she saw a movement, as though a living light arose from its very center. This light seemed to ascend and then proceed outward like a shining breat...
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How to Grow in Love for Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help

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Loving Our Lady is a beautiful privilege for Catholics. As we devote time to knowing her more deeply — her humility, her faith, her trust in God — we grow in appreciation for her role in salvation history as the Mother of Jesus and our spiritual Mother. During the months traditionally dedicated to Mary, especially May and October, many Catholics seek practical ways to deepen their devotion. Below are simple and meaningful practices that can help cultivate a greater love for Our Mother of Perpetual Help. PRAY THE ROSARY The Holy Rosary remains one of the most cherished Marian devotions in the Catholic Church. Through the mysteries of the Rosary, we reflect on key moments in the life of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Families may consider setting aside one or two evenings a week to pray together. Even a single decade prayed attentively can become a source of spiritual unity. The Rosary invites meditation, recollection, and trust in God’s providence. SPEAK TO MARY OFTEN Like any lo...
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IMITATING OUR BLESSED LADY IN THE VIRTUE OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION

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There was never a soul on earth that practiced in so perfect a manner as the Blessed Virgin, the great lesson taught by our Saviour. "That we ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Lk 18:1). From no one, says St Bonaventure, can we better take example and learn how necessary is perseverance in prayer than from Mary.  Mary did not autonomously conduct her life: she waits for God to take the reins of her path and guide her where He wants. She is docile, and with her availability she prepares the grand events in which God takes part in the world. The  Catechism   recalls her constant and caring presence in the benevolent design of the Father throughout the course of Jesus’s life (see   CCC , 2617-2618).  . Our Lady of Good Counsel Mary was praying when the Archangel Gabriel came to bring his message to her in Nazareth. Her small yet immense “Here I am”, which makes all of creation jump for joy at that moment, was preceded throughout salvation history by many othe...
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THE BLESSED MARY MERITED HEAVEN THROUGH HER HEROIC PATIENCE

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St. Lious de Monfort h ighlights the many attributes that make the Mother of God so special and includes patience as one of her main virtues. Patience is the virtue that enables us to endure all the wrongs and misfortunes of life without discouragement, but instead with hope and trust in God. Heroic patience means sitting with life’s questions until God decides to answer them (one at a time). We want all the answers to our vocations and future today.  “Lord show me what to do now and then tell me what to do for tomorrow, and while you’re at it, five years from now! Who will I marry? Where will I live? What will I do?”   Today we want instant answers to every question.  A question comes up at dinner, and out come the cell phones. We search and answers are instant. But it’s not that way with in the spiritual life.  Heroic patience is a call to wait on the Lord to reveal the next step, the next stage of the journey, when He knows the time is right.  It means ...
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THE BLESSINGS OF MARY'S OBEDIENCE TO HUMANITY

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The Almighty God made it clear to us through His word that Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience means to be submissive to the will of God. Through Mary, who is called " most obedient ," we learn how we are called to glorify Him with our lives by being His obedient servant. Moreover, we learn that such submissiveness can come easily when we truly love and trust Him like Mary did. In regards to obedience, the  Rule of the Ten Evangelical Virtues  states, "The Virgin Mary was always most obedient not only to God, but for God's sake, also to men." At the Annunciation, her obedience begins with a choice — her choice to cooperate in God's plan. In obedience, she conceived God's only Son, forsaking her own plans for her life. And indeed, for the sake of God, she remained obedient to the laws and customs of the day. For instance, by undertaking the long journey to Bethlehem in obedience to the decree of the Emperor Caesar Augustus, she gave birth to t...
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THE BLESSED LADY LIVED POOR AND DIED POOR

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Poverty carries a social stigma. It suggests failure; its a badge of dishonor. Yet, our Lord Jesus issues this invitation: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor... and come, follow me" (Mt 19:21) Consider Mary, His most perfect disciple, who indeed imitated His example. Some authors even are of the opinion that Mary made a vow of poverty.  Jesus was raised in a much different environment than this. His mother lived in great poverty, yet she received riches altogether different than the ones many of us seek. Namely, the riches of eternal salvation. Indeed, through her poverty, we discover the joy in possessing God alone as the greatest treasure imaginable. How poor was she? When she was ready to give birth, she and Joseph were forced to take shelter in a stable. She had nothing but cheap swaddling clothes to keep Jesus warm. As for a crib, she fashioned one out of a feeding trough for animals. Yet Mary knows full well the way God works. Her wo...
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