"But they did not understand what He said to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But His mother kept all these things in her heart." (Luke 2:50-51)

Reflection for the Day

The Virtues that Shone in the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the Blessed Virgin Mary, all virtues shone in their fullest form. Her faith was unwavering, her hope steadfast, and her love intense. Even in her childhood, Mary practiced these virtues with great zeal. Through this, in her later life, we see how she practically embodied these virtues as the Divine Mother.

Since Eve believed Satan while she was still a virgin, disobedience and sin arose in her. But the Holy Virgin Mary, filled with faith and joy, responded: "Let your word be fulfilled in me." Thus, states the Church Father Saint Justin, the Holy Mother played a remarkable role in destroying the works of the devil and freeing the human race from eternal death.

Through faith, we encounter God and surrender ourselves to Him. Mary fulfilled this in its perfection and completion. Let’s reflect on how powerful Mary’s refuge in God was. Her refuge is clearly seen when she lost Jesus at twelve years old and found Him in the temple. Her courage and unshakeable hope, shown at the foot of the cross, are legendary, and her unwavering trust in God is an example for humanity.

Her love for the divine made her worthy to become the Mother of God. From accepting God's will for the Incarnation to fulfilling the divine plan at Calvary, her love for God and humanity was evident. She brimmed with all moral virtues—justice, wisdom, courage, humility, service, obedience, purity.

Mary lived a life dedicated to prayer and penance. She constantly spent her time in prayer and fulfilling her responsibilities with devotion reflecting on divine matters. Let us reflect on how much we are interested of being in God's presence. Examine ourselves to see how committed we are to obeying God's commandments, fulfilling the duties of life, and faithfully carrying out the tasks entrusted to us.

Incident to reflect for the Day

The renowned philosopher Jacques Maritain himself stated that his conversion was a triumph of the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Maritain and his wife were students at the Sorbonne University, where they studied under the Jewish philosopher Bergson. Though Bergson was Jewish, he had a great respect for the Catholic faith. Maritain married on November 26, 1904.

Not long after, they met the fully devoted Catholic couple, the Blois family. Leon Blois was a great missionary of the "La Salette" order. Although the Blois couple had a significant influence on Maritain, he and his wife initially hesitated to join the Catholic Church. Two years after their marriage, Maritain’s wife, Reisa, fell seriously ill, and Maritain became deeply disturbed. One day, he received a touching letter from Mrs. Blois. The essence of that letter is as follows:

"My dearest Reisa, we lovingly remember you together. Today, during the Divine Mass in the morning, I wept and prayed for you. If there is any merit in my suffering life, I have asked our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary to grant you relief and accept this for your spiritual greatness. I have wept a great deal for my prayer to be heard. You will find comfort and great joy."

A few days later, Mrs. Blois visited the ailing Reisa. She said to her, "I bring you the image of the Blessed Virgin; pray fervently." Reisa, deeply touched by her friend's heartfelt statement, was overwhelmed with emotion, yet said nothing. Considering her silence as consent, Mrs. Blois placed the image of the Virgin Mary around Reisa's neck. Reisa felt an immense joy and soon fell into a peaceful sleep. From that moment on, she began to recover.

By this time, Maritain, having used reason to arrive at his conclusion, was moved by his wife’s miraculous healing and converted to the Catholic faith. The Maritain family became pioneers in spreading devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary around the world. Due to his conversion to Catholicism, Maritain was denied the right to continue his studies in his homeland. However, at the age of 81, the French government honored him with France’s highest national distinction.

Prayer for the Day

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, you were endowed with all virtues. When our faith weakens, our hope becomes fragile, and our love grows cold, may your wonderful example give us strength. Therefore, Divine Mother, grant us the grace to live a perfect Christian life, following your virtues. We strive to practice active faith, unwavering hope, ardent love, and other Christian virtues. May you heal our weaknesses.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate,despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Oh Holy Mary, conceived without original sin! O refuge of sinners! Here we come to your refuge. Have mercy on us and pray for us to your Son.
Our Father..Hail Mary..Glory be

(Repeat all the above Three times)

Litany of Mother Mary

Hail Holy Queen

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then most gracious advocate, Thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us, the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Let us pray

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Petitions to the Holy Mother of God

• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the Holy Church.
Hail Mary..

• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the conversion of the Gentiles and others.
Hail Mary..

• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the political authorities to uphold truth and justice.
Hail Mary..

• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the authorities of the Holy Church, such as the Pope and others.
Hail Mary..

• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the souls in purgatory, who are your beloved children.
Hail Mary..

Aspiration Prayer for the Day
Mary, Fortress of David, be our refuge in the battle against the powers of hell.