Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Everyone has a down day

I had a disagreement with my Dad, yesterday. After a night of trouble sleeping, I awoke quite sad. I figured out that I was more mad at circumstances with my brother since my mom died. I found a website that was rather helpful. It is the blog for Martha Williamson who was the Executive Producer of the TV seires "Touched By an Angel." I figure that all Queens (from the Queen of England to the Queen of Hip Hop) have bad days. So, I put Ms. Williamson's blog link in the Connections area of this page. That is, on the left side of the page. I hope it helps someone else, too. In the mean time, I need to call and apologize to my Dad.

IRamat2

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Pictures of the Queen of the Seven Swords and Jesus







Thoughts on the Sorrows of the Queen

I read, and believe, that the Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the
souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary's
and meditating on her tears and dolors (sorrows). This devotion
was passed on by St. Bridget.

Here are the Seven Graces:

I will grant peace to their families.
They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
I will console them in their pains and I will accompany
them in their work.
I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does
not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the
sanctification of their souls.
I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their
lives.
I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they
will see the face of their Mother.
I have obtained (This Grace) from my divine Son, that those
who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will
be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness
since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will
be their eternal consolation and joy.

Here are the Seven Sorrows:

The prophecy of Simeon. (St. Luke 2: 34, 35)
The flight into Egypt. (St. Matthew 2:13-14)
The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple. (St. Luke 3: 43-45)
The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
The Crucifixion.
The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
The burial of Jesus.

The Prayer called The Hail Mary:

The Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Other Prayers in Honor of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

1. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Hail Mary…
2. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Hail Mary…
3. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Hail Mary…
4. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Hail Mary…
5. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Hail Mary…
6. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Hail Mary…
7. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Hail Mary…
Let Us Pray:

Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen.


This is good stuff to remember.

Queen of the Seven Swords

I just bid for and won a book off of eBay by GK Chesterton called the "Queen of the Seven Swords." The book description discusses poems written by Chesterton about the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary predicted when Jesus was brought to the temple for circumcision. It really put everything together in my mind....Queen...Heaven....Swords. It contrasts with the Queen of Swords from the Tarot cards et al. Not that I have been successful reading the poetry, but the described idea works for me.