“Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart”
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a devotion to the Virgin Mary, which symbolises her mercy, the absoluteness of her faith, her trust and welcoming of Christ in the most intimate part of her person. It also symbolises her total purity. In Lourdes, on 25th March 1858, the “beautiful Lady of Massabielle” gave her name: “I am the Immaculate Conception”.
The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated on the Saturday after the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is celebrated on the 3rd Friday after Pentecost.
May we allow ourselves to be moulded by Mary, in the simplicity of children of God, so that she can show us how to draw closer to her Son. Mary was Bernadette’s catechist throughout the period of the apparitions so that Bernadette could receive the body of Christ in Holy Communion; Mary is the wonderful teacher who opens our hearts and minds; Mary heals our wounds and brings us back when we stray from the path… tender, gentle, patient and docile to the Holy Spirit.
“So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.” Lk. 2:16-21
Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, overflowing with goodness,
Show us your love for us.
Let the flame of your heart, O Mary, descend on all peoples.
We love you immensely.
Imprint true love on our hearts.
So that we have a continuous desire for you.
O Mary, gentle and humble of heart, remember us when we sin.
You know that we are sinners.
Through your maternal heart, heal us of all spiritual illness.
Help us to look at the goodness of your motherly heart, so that we may be converted to the flame of your heart.
Amen
