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Earlier today,Lissa told me she is planning on preparing for a Monfortian Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Checking the calendar at the back of her copy of True Devotion to Mary, she was delighted to find the next preparation period begins tomorrow (November 5th) and continues until the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. Needless to say, I hopped on board with her, realizing this is the perfect lead in to Advent.
According to St. Louis de Montfort, the first twelve days "should be employed in casting off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ."
I hope some of you will join us in prayer this month, asking God's blessings upon our homes and country and taking Mary into our hearts. Here are the exceptionally beautiful prayers to be said daily:
November 5th to 16th: Twelve Preliminary Days
November 17th to 23rd: First Week
November 24th to 30th: Second Week
December 1st to 7th: Third Week
December 8th: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Interestingly, I saw a box of 45 beautiful little Hanukah candles in the supermarket the other day. The white and blue tints and traditional Jewish pattern reminded me of the Blessed Mother, so I popped them into my cart, hoping to find some use for them in the weeks ahead. Now I am thinking about lighting one each night, illuminating the house more and more as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception approaches. After using 33 candles, there will be just enough left over for the 12 days of Christmas!
Online reading materials to assist with the preparation:
Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin by St. Louis de Montfort
Although our large Jack O'Lantern is past its prime--his cheery angled features now a portal for flitting fruit flies--I was determined to keep him around until the Feast of All Souls. The children are already familiar with the symbolism of the decaying pumpkin surrounding a burning flame--the body decays, but the soul never dies. Last night, I thought I would add something new to our tradition, placing the Jack O'Lantern at the feet of Our Lady to remind them that Our Blessed Mother is the comfort of the Poor Souls in Purgatory.
Saying the rosary in the blackened room, Jack's shining face, but not much else, could be seen with its burning smile. Within a Hail Mary or two, I smelt a bit of smoke and realized that the tall, fat candle within was beginning to singe the inside of the lid. Lifting the top off by the stem, the candlelight streamed upward, illuminating the Blessed Mother so beautifully that it made me sorry we could not keep our pumpkin beneath her always.
You may have noticed I have not been posting pictures to this blog lately, and that is because my camera is broken. (It spent a night in our diaper bag in the company of a leaky water bottle.) Sitting there in the dark room, with Our Lady's image glowing and the children gathered round with upturned faces, I longed to take a picture more than ever. Our rosary completed, I remembered that our laptop has a "photobooth" function. After some effort and maneuvering, I managed to take this picture of Maureen--it is a grainy image and the flash takes away something from the scene as it truly appeared, but I thought it worth sharing here anyway.
Yesterday afternoon, we visited my father's grave, sprinkling holy water on it and saying prayers. The children learned the importance of visiting the graves of our loved ones and praying for those who have gone before us. During the next few weeks, we will to try to visit my grandparents' and Daddy's grandparents' graves as well, never forgetting these good people who passed along the gift of Faith to our family.
Speaking of grandparents, today (November 3) would have been my father's birthday. Please keep Cornelius J. O'Brien in your prayers. I am praying for your loved ones as well.
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
