The Lesson is taken from a Sermon by St Leo the Pope His Mother was chosen a Virgin of the kingly lineage of David, and when she was to grow heavy with the sacred Child, her soul had already conceived him before her body.  She learned the counsel of God announced to her by the Angel, lest the unwonted events should alarm her.  The future Mother of God knew what was to be wrought in her by the Holy Ghost, and that her modesty was absolutely safe.  For why should she, unto whom was promised all sufficient strength through the power of the Highest, have felt hopeless merely because of the...

In the early part of the thirteenth century of the era of our Lord, the greatest and fairest part of Spain lay crushed under the yoke of the Saracens, and countless numbers of the faithful were held in brutal slavery, with the most lively danger of being made to deny the Christian faith and of losing everlasting salvation. Amid such sorrows the most Blessed Queen of heaven came mercifully to the rescue, and shewed how the greatness of her motherly love was fain for their redemption. Holy Peter Nolasco, in the full bloom of the treasures of godliness as well as rich in earthly wealth, was...

The Lesson is taken from a Sermon by Bernard the Abbot The Martyrdom of the Virgin is set before us, not only in the prophecy of Simeon, but also in the story itself of the Lord’s Passion. The holy old man said of the Child Jesus: Behold, this Child is set for the fall and the rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; yea (said he unto Mary), a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also. Even so, O Blessed Mother! The sword did indeed pierce through thy soul! for nought could pierce the Body of thy Son, nor pierce thy soul likewise. Yea, and when...

The Lesson is taken from a Sermon by St. Bernard the Abbot It is said: And the Virgin’s name was Mary. Let us speak a few words upon this name, which signifieth, being interpreted, Star of the Sea, and suiteth very well the Maiden Mother, who may very meetly be likened unto a star. A star giveth forth her rays without any harm to herself, and the Virgin brought forth her Son without any hurt to her virginity. The light of a star taketh nothing away from the Vírginity of Mary. She is that noble star which was to come out of Jacob, whose brightness still sheddeth lustre upon all the...

I am She Who is in the Divine Trinity; I am the Virgin of the Revelation. You persecute Me. Now, it is enough. Enter the holy fold, the heavenly court on earth. The nine Fridays of the Sacred Heart have saved you. You must be like the flowers which Isola (his daughter) has picked; no lamentation is made, they are silent and do not rebel … The prayers out of the mouth of him who prays with faith, are like golden arrows which reach into the Heart of Jesus … With this dirt of sin I shall perform powerful miracles for the conversion of unbelievers. Love one another. Let us love one...