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“Why pray to Mary when you could pray to Jesus?”

I feel like this is asked of Catholics often – and I feel like it is a great question.

As someone who became Catholic as an infant, I didn’t always understand the extreme devotion some people had towards Our Blessed Mother.

Personally, most of my private prayers start with:

Dear Jesus

Dear God

Dear Heavenly Father

Dear Holy Trinity

Dear Lord Jesus

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always understood  that I could ask her to pray for me.  I believe that she, like any other Christian, would pray for me if I asked her too.  But, I didn’t really “get” how some Catholics really seemed to venerate her or go straight to a Hail Mary over a “Dear Jesus, please help” prayer.

And since I didn’t really get it, I couldn’t defend this portion of my Catholic faith . . . and that bothered me.

I wondered if I was Catholic for the right reasons.

I had (and still have) this amazing friend who is a very faithful born again Christian.  We would often get into discussions about our faith.  Many times she would ask “why” we as Catholics did or believed certain things.  I wanted to be certain I was giving the right answers – and I was interested in knowing the church’s reasons and explanations for her doctrine and traditions.

7 Ways Mary Won My Heart (Without Taking Love Away From Jesus)

1. Researching Apologetics

So, I took it upon myself to read more.  One book I found that I remember being very helpful was A Philadelphia Catholic in a King James Court.

This book was set around a fictional story where a high school student lost his dad who was working as a firefighter. The main character spent the summer with his mother’s non-Catholic Christian family in the mid-west.  He would get into conversations about faith and found himself reading some of his father’s books in order to understand his Catholic faith more deeply.  Each time his Protestant uncle would ask him a question about the Catholic faith, these resources allowed him to answer those questions and pinpoint the origins to a Scripture passage.

I learned a lot from that book, but one part about Mary stands out in my memory:

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; she (ipsa) shall crush your head“

Genesis 3:15

I remember it thinking, “wow, that definitely doesn’t say women.  That is one woman being talked about in the very first book of the Old Testament.”

That does make Mary different from every woman who has ever lived – including the holiest of saints.

Still, I saw Mary as another Christian who would pray for us if we asked her – just like our friends at church or family member who we know pray.

I’m not sure how other Christians feel about that – or even if my good Christian friend agreed – but that’s how I felt.

This was a neat discovery, but I don’t think I changed my prayer life at all.

2. Praying the Rosary

A few years went by and a friend invited me to go pray the Rosary with her mom and her friends.  This happened a few times until about 4 of us started our own Rosary group.  It was more than a prayer group though – it was “Friend Therapy”.  I lived by myself and was going through a rough time. These three friends that came to pray – they too were going through some tough times.

We would eat together, watch Friends (it was the last season) and then, we’d say our intentions.  We let a lot out that we were struggling with and aching over.  Then, we would pray the Rosary.  It was this tradition where “prayer, wine, chocolate” was born!  Years later we were talking about all the intentions we had prayed for and I said, “we should write a book”!  When we brainstormed names, “Prayer Wine Chocolate” was the clear winner!

For me, those Rosary nights were not so much about devotion to Mary, but were about finding comfort in friends that share my faith and gathering to ask Jesus for help.  So many of our prayers were answered in time.  The meditation calmed me. Thinking about the mysteries, the intentions and the words of the prayers helped me get in a deep state of prayer. The memories, friendships and eagerness of us wanting to get together to pray for years now have instilled in me a great love for that prayer.

In addition to my own experience, reading Immaculee Ilibagiza’s incredible experience in the book Led by Faith  increased my awe of how the prayer has made a difference in the life and faith of others.

Remind yourself to pray the Rosary with these unique, cool socks!

3. Reading Heaven is For Real

I don’t recall how I heard about this book, but I read it in 2 days.  It was so interesting and if you’ve seen the movie, I feel like it just did not demonstrate the amazing story I read in the book. (get the book on Amazon here: Heaven is For Real)

A Christian Pastor’s four year old son survives a very scary sickness and hospital stay.  Soon after his illness, he tells his parents that he met his sister (a miscarried sister that he was never told about) and mentions and other things that happen while he was in surgery.  The little boy, Colton, told his father that he saw him praying while he was in surgery.  Colton described meeting his grandfather and sitting on God’s lap. The things he saw compelled his father to write it down and eventually became this book.

What fascinated me – and how this relates to Our Blessed Mother – was not actually in the main part of the book, but in the Epilogue.

In the Epilogue, the author states:

” A lot of our Catholic friends have asked whether Colton saw Mary, the mother of Jesus. The answer to that is also yes. He saw Mary kneeling before the throne of God and at other times standing beside Jesus. ‘She still loves Him like a mom’. Colten said.”

Reading this I shook my head yes and thought, that is exactly what we as Catholics believe.  She kneels in front of the thrown of God . . . she is praying for us.  She is standing next to Jesus.  I envision her standing there, looking the same direction as Our Lord . . . at us.  Rooting for us, loving us and desiring that we open our hearts to God’s grace.

And the catechism of the Catholic Church states:

We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ” (Paul VI, CPG § 15).

Or, In four-year-old language, “She still loves Him like a Mom.”
This witness made an incredible impression on me because it was given by a non-Catholic.

 

4. Wearing a Miraculous Medal

It’s amazing how the Lord works in our life.  I contacted the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia because I knew they had a gift shop and I was planning on writing a post about giving gifts at Christmas that remind us of our faith.  The Shrine was more than generous in donating products to include in a giveaway, but the director asked me – are you going to write only one post?  That made me stop and think.  He had said yes to the long list of gifts I requested . . . I could do more than one giveaway and write more than one post.  I ended up writing Five Reasons Why I Wear a Miraculous Medal which became an extremely popular post.  As I was writing it, I did a lot of research and came across this:

Our Blessed Mother instructed Saint Catherine Laboure to “have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around their neck.

I had a Miraculous Medal someone had given me on my keychain up until that point.  That statement made me think, I should wear one as a necklace.  I barely ever wear jewelry so I thought this might dress me up a little bit and at the same time, maybe I’ll receive great graces!

And I really don’t know how to explain it – but I do believe I did start to receive more graces.  I became more in tune with how to pray, asking God “help me to be who you want me to be” and simply being more drawn to learning more and praying more.  It was after this that a friend of mind suggested Marian Consecration.

My response: “Marian what?”

5. The Book 33 Days to Morning Glory

The complete title of this book is 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration.

I had never heard of the book or Marian Consecration.  My friend who suggested it might have sent me the book in the mail.  I honestly can’t remember.  I followed the suggested directions.  I started on a date that would have me end on a day that was dedicated to a title of Mary.  I can’t remember which date or title.  I read the book in 33 days.  It was perfect for me because it only required a small reading each night.  I found each day’s reading fascinating.

For me, the book/retreat helped me learn about saints who held a special devotion to Mary and how Our Lady plays a role in leading us to Jesus.  I’m pretty sure the purpose of the book isn’t to educate, but to foster a relationship “to Jesus through Mary”.  But, I felt like it was a great learning experience.

6. Our Lady of Guadalupe Stalked Me

I realize that sounds nuts, but I really don’t know how else to put it.  I wrote about it here: Our Lady of Guadalupe: Her Image Still Appears

It’s a great story that ends my life as a mother of one and begins it as a mother of three

7. Being the Mother of a Son

I know how much I love my little boy.  The love of a mother is something incredible.

I think of moments that I’ve seen my son wanting to play with others and them not embracing him. In those moments, my heart desires that those children see all the good in him.  I want them to see him the way I see him.

I imagine Mary feels the same way about others loving her son.

I want others to love my son.  I want others to love God.  For Mary, both of those passionate feelings are rolled into one.

Personally, those are both pretty intense feelings.  I am sure they are pretty intense in our Blessed Mother’s Heart too.

I imagine Mary reaching her hand out the way a mother would if we were climbing a mountain together.  She is ahead, but Jesus is on top. I’m behind and struggling, she grabs my hand and helps me up each time I ask.  My goal is to get to Jesus, she just wants to help me get there.

The post 7 Ways Mary Won My Heart (Without Taking Love Away From Jesus) appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Eight Reasons Why I Love the Miraculous Medal Shrine:

1. The Prayer Petition Papers

The first time I went to this shrine I was 15 years old.  I often felt lonely and unpopular.  I watched my peers have crushes on boys and those boys “liking them back” – while I faced repeated rejection.  For some fifteen year olds, this is no big deal.  For me, it hurt – a lot.  I often prayed that I would have a boyfriend.  When we walked into this shrine I saw something I had never seen at a church before – petition papers.  On this paper, many common requests are listed.  Two of the requests written were: “Catholic boyfriend” and “Catholic girlfriend”.  This made me feel like what I desired was not “bad” or should not be asked for in prayer.  I felt so much relief that I could check off that box and leave that petition in the Church.  I love writing my prayers because they feel more real to me.  I still love to go back, check off boxes and add intentions and names to these papers.

2. The Schedule on Mondays

Whenever I visit the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine, it is usually a Monday.  I make it a point to go there on Mondays because I know that whatever time I arrive, there will be a novena, a sermon, an opportunity to go to confession, Eucharistic Adoration and a chance to pray in a holy environment within the hour.  I have to admit, I love that convenience.  Oh, and after visiting this shrine for more than 20 years, I learned on my last visit there is free lunch after the 12:00 Mass!

3. There are always testimonies of hope 

Each hour, before the Novena officially begins, a priest stands on the alter and reads some of the notes of thanks people have returned to write.  Many people come to the shrine to pray for healing, employment, freedom from addiction, fertility, safe delivery of a baby and so on.  When these prayers are answered, they return and write a thank you note to Mary and Our Lord on the back of the petition papers previously mentioned.  The priest selects some of them to read.  It gives great hope to all those who are listening.  Yes, Mary is praying for us and the Lord is granting our requests!

4. There are so many places to kneel, pray and meditate

The upper church has several places you can kneel an light a candle with a loved one.  Each area has stunning Marian art that tells a story of faith.  One place, to the left of the tabernacle, holds a piece of the chair that Our Blessed Mother sat on when she spoke to Saint Catharine Laboure.  It is the only place in the United States that claims to have an object that Our Lady once touched!  There is a replica of the chair encased in glass and a stature that depicts how Saint Catherine and Our Lady conversed.  There are several other areas that are in the upper Church that really help one invoke a state of prayer. Downstairs there is a chapel that is adorned with so much beauty.  Here are a few pictures:

5. The People 

I love the people that pray there and the people that work there!  When I went last week, I met up with my friend and her one year old daughter. My friend, Maria, wanted to go to Confession.  One of the workers watched her daughter while she went to receive the Sacrament!  I was mesmerized by a group of nuns sitting in the front pew during the 12:00 Mass.  I loved their habits, and definitely knew I had never seen them before. I couldn’t help but notice how young they looked.  After Mass I waited to speak with them (I wasn’t the only one interested).  Turns out their order is called the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara.  Mother Incarnation gave me her phone number and told me to come visit them!  I am totally going to take her up on that offer! Curious about the habit?  Check out the Facebook Page set up by some of their moms!  And you know the employers there are cool when they make and set up this sign:

6. Blessing of Religious Articles

After each novena a priest announces that if anyone has a Miraculous Medal, or any religious article he or she desires to be blessed,  to bring them up to the alter.  You can bring an article from your home, purchase one in the gift shop or even receive a Miraculous Medal for free from the Association: click here to request a free Miraculous Medal!

7. The Art and Architecture

The beauty of the building, the magnificence of it’s architecture and the artwork in it alone make this place worth the visit.  The Church was built cruciform in shape and in the Romanesque style. The side archways are modeled after those of the Hagia Sophia (Church of St. Sophia) in Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey.  In addition to the impressive Church, there is an entire Marian and Religious art museum across the street!

8. It is a Designated Holy Door Site for the Jubilee Year of Mercy

The Miraculous Medal Shrine was granted this privilege, along with all the Shrines in the Philadelphia area, in order to make this extraordinary gift of God’s mercy available to more people.

“I AM THE DOOR.
BY ME, IF ANY MAN ENTER IN,
HE SHALL BE SAVED;
AND HE SHALL GO IN, AND GO OUT,
AND SHALL FIND PASTURES.”
(JOHN 10:9)

This is only one of the places I am visiting and bringing YOUR intentions!  If you would like to see where else I am going or send me intentions, check out Summer Shrine Schedule 2016 and comment under this article your intentions!

The post Eight Reasons Why I Love the The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Years ago, when I was in my 20’s, my life was not where I’d dreamt it would be.  I was still single, hoping for a happier future, and often felt depressed and lost. A group of my friends and I started “rosary nights”.  We would get together with food, our troubles and each other.  We would pray the Rosary together.

We still do.

Rosary above from Small Things Great Love

Here are five reasons why we love our Rosary group – and highly recommend you start one too

1. 1. 1. Friend Therapy–  Before praying the Rosary, we would each take a turn sharing our intentions.  When we first started, most of us were having quite a hard time understanding “why” we were in certain situations and enduring certain heartaches. Saying our intentions out loud often led to great discussions among people who truly cared for one another.  Lots of listening, advice giving and tears were shed.  All of it was therapeutic.  Bonds of trust and friendship were formed in ways only pray allows.  It still provides a safe place for each of us to discuss our greatest challenges – and enables us to hand them over to Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.

         

      2. The Promises of Our Lady to those who recite the Rosary – Ideally, I know I should pray the Rosary on my own, daily.  Realistically, it doesn’t happen all that often.  I know this is something in my life that needs work. But in the mean time, planning Rosary Group with friends gets me to pray the Rosary more than I would if this group didn’t exist.  And Our Lady has made twelve promises to those who recite the Rosary in a devout way!  Some of those promises include: receiving signal graces, help lifting our hearts to desire eternal things rather than worldly prizes, obtaining what we ask for, and receiving Our Lady’s special protection and greatest graces.  You can see all twelve promises of the Holy Rosary by clicking here.

   3. You gain the merits of each person’s Rosary! – Saint Louis Marie de Montfort wrote a book titled The Secret of the Rosary.  In this work, Saint Louis gives numerous reasons and benefits to praying the Rosary in a group. Saint Louis said it is better to pray the Rosary with a group than alone.  One reason is simply because our minds are far more alert during public prayer than when we pray alone. Other reasons include that when we pray in a group, the prayer of each one belongs to all. “We make one great prayer together, so that if one person is not praying well, someone else in the same gathering who prays better may make up for his deficiency. In this way, those who are strong uphold the weak. Those who are fervent inspire the lukewarm. One who says his Rosary alone only gains the merit of that one Rosary. But if he says it together with others, he gains the merit of each Rosary. This is the law of public prayer.”(Saint Louis de Montfort) You can read more about Saint Louis and his wisdom of the Rosary at How to pray the rosary everyday.  Gaining the merits of each Rosary helps me make-up for the days I didn’t get to saying it!

2. 4. The Rosary is a form of meditation.  The benefits of meditation extend to every aspect of our health – physical, mental and emotional.  In other words, IT’S SO GOOD FOR YOU!  The benefits of the Rosary extend from our spiritual health to our physical, mental and emotional well-being.  Scientific studies have shown that those who meditate decrease stress, improve their immune systems and even achieve better academically. Meditation has even been effective in helping addicts overcome addiction.  Meditation also helps those who have been diagnosed with ADHD.  It lowers the risk of heart disease and improves blood pressure!  There are studies upon studies that show the benefits of meditation.  It’s a scientific fact that it’s good for you!

5 .It’s a BREAK from all of life’s WORK!  Planning this time on the calendar is     important.  Since people you love – who are in need of prayers – are often requesting the group meet, the event gets a level of importance and prominence on the calendar.  When one of the women in the group calls and says, “I need to pray”; you make arrangements to get there – with or without kids.  When you plan for a “girls’ night”, and get the opportunity to “get away”, it really is a refreshing, re-charging evening.  It’s an opportunity to reconnect with friends and enjoy adult company.  And if there is no one to watch the children – bring them.  It’s worth it.
I hope you ask some friends to start a Rosary group with you soon!  I love to hear about it! God Bless You!  Thanks for stopping by  Cheers!

The post Five Reasons to Start a Rosary Group appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Can you imagine being awaken by an angel, and this angel telling you to follow her because the Blessed Mother wants to speak with you?  I wonder at that moment if St. Catherine Laboure, being half asleep, thought she was just dreaming.  

I think it’s important to recall the humility of Catherine when we consider wearing the Miraculous Medal.  It’s not a charm meant to show off holiness or perform magic, but a message from heaven.  Our Lady is calling upon us to remember her Son and our purpose in this life – to love and serve Him.  As someone who has visited the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia during every “urgent need” of my life, I didn’t start wearing one until this year!
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Here are five reasons why I wear a Miraculous Medal:

1. I am being reminded daily to “listen to my Mother”

   – As a mommy of a three and a half year old boy, I’ve been hearing the word “no” a lot.  Me: “Xavier, go to the potty”  Xavier: No  Me: “Don’t say no to me, just do it”  Xavier: “No!”.  This happens countless times a day. As you can imagine, this can be extremely frustrating. I wonder if Mary gets frustrated with us. Almost 200 years ago Our Blessed Mother instructed Saint Catherine Laboure to “have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around their neck.” Our Blessed Mother also told Catherine, “Now it must be given to the whole world and to every person.” For almost two hundred years this message has been available to us, yet I still do not have one around my neck.  I wonder if Mary feels how I feel after a 30 minute debate with a three year old on why he has to at least try to pee.

2. It’s known as the “Miraculous Medal” for a reason, and I love a miracle!  

   When the medal first came into being, it was called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. In less than ten years it became known at the Miraculous Medal because of the many graces and wonders that quickly became associated with wearing it. According to one source, between 1930 and 1950, more than 750,000 favors were granted and registered in just the city of Philadelphia alone.  Our Blessed Mother wants us to ask her for prayers. Our Lord wants us to go to Him and tell him what is on our minds and in our hearts.  Having this medal around our necks at all times is a constant reminder to pray. And as Mary promised, those who wear it will receive great graces.

3. Heroic men and women have worn it and encouraged others to wear it.

   Two particular individuals come to mind: St. Maximillian Kolbe and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  Before St. Maximillian courageously gave his life for another man, he started a movement and an organization, known in English as the Knights of the Immaculata. He made the Miraculous Medal the insignia of the group and had each member wear the medal.  He said it was a “silver bullet” against evil.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta, known for her charitable work throughout the world, called it a “medal of charity” and gave it out by the hand full.  She said that the medal is a sign that God loves each and every individual at each and every moment of our lives.

   

4. It’s a reminder to ASK for help! 

   ****** I absolutely LOVE this Miraculous Medal from Pink Salt Riot: Miraculous Medal Stack Necklace********

   The images on the medal were designed by the Blessed Mother and spoken to St. Catherine Laboure. Our Blessed Mother said that the rays coming from some of her fingers demonstrate the graces God gives through her to those who ask and are open.  There are some fingers where no rays are shown.  Mary said that is to demonstrate the graces that are not given because they were not requested of her.  Just another reminder of Matthew 7:7; “Ask and it shall be given to you”.

5. It’s a symbol of what is most important.  

   As I write this, my Facebook profile picture includes an opaque flag of France to show my support and prayers for those who have suffered a great tragedy.  There is a U.S. flag hung outside the front door of our home to demonstrate patriotism.  We often wear colors to support those effected by different diseases and when we are cheering for our favorite sports team, we wear the appropriate jersey.  All of these have some importance in our lives.  But what is most important?  For me, it is my faith.  If signs and symbols are important for the lesser things, why not show my enthusiasm for the greatest blessing of all – faith in Our Lord and the love of our Mother.

You can get a FREE Miraculous Medal! The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal‘s (which is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this year!) primary mission is “to render honor to Mary Immaculate and to encourage the use of her Miraculous Medal with prayers and devotions to her”, offers a free Miraculous Medal to anyone living in the United States.  Click here to get a free Miraculous Medal. *Since writing this article I have been told that they don’t mail out free medals anymore :(.

But, I have found these beautiful ones from Pink Salt Riot!

This medal from Pink Salt Riot is beautiful!

I also love and own this one!

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