~by Susi Pittman

October is a month of “holy” happenings.

It is the month of October that we see Mary at the center of our Feast Days. The Church dedicates the entire month to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. October 1^st we implore the Holy Protection of the Mother of God (Jesus, Second Person of the Holy Trinity) . October 11^th is the Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commemorating the dignity of Mary as Mother of God. October 16^th we commemorate the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With Mary at the center of our hearts this month, is it any wonder that this month also is Respect Life month?!

It is October 4^th that is the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi and a week that the faithful bring their beloved pets to the church grounds for the Blessing of the Animals. October is recognized for Respect Life bringing awareness to the fight to end abortion.

October 1^st is the Feast Day of St. Therese of Lisieux, author of the “little way” of trusting in Jesus relying on small daily sacrifices, a work that continues to inspire holiness in ordinary lives today.

But, what I would really like to focus on is the love that St. Francis of Assisi had for Mary.

Francis deeply loved the Blessed Virgin. He was immersed many times in prayer of the beauty of her intimate unity with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit…daughter of God, spouse to the Holy Spirit and mother of Jesus. He saw her as the perfect Holy Palace, uniquely created by God with every good.

To an even deeper level, St. Francis saw Mary as Church. Unblemished and consecrated by God from original sin, the Church is Virgin Made. This is reflected in the beautiful prayer Saint Francis wrote below to Mary, Mother of Jesus.

St. Augustine seemed to articulate this in his writings on Mary. He writes that the one Body of Christ is present in three forms; the Incarnate Body now glorified in heaven, the Eucharistic Body and the Mystical Body which is the Church.

If then, Our Lady is the Mother of the Incarnate Body, she must be no less the Mother of the Eucharistic Body and the Mother of the Mystical Body. The Church is born of Mary: the Church is Virgin-made.

St. Bonaventure, a devoted disciple of St. Francis taught on this: To found the Church, it was necessary to lay a foundation, namely, the commandments of God, and to place them in the heart of some person. This could be none but the Virgin…the One who was obedient. Thus, the commandments were rooted in Her heart. Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. Not only is the Virgin blessed, but all who follow Her as well. And who are these? All who hear the word of God and fulfill it.

I am sure as St. Francis was immersed in ecstasy before the Cross at San Damiano’s he was caught up in the love of Christ in ineffable wonder. That wonder surely encompassed the love of the Blessed Virgin and of God which brought forth the Son of God, Jesus. Mary, New Ark of the Covenant…pure vessel of God’s presence…and foundation in love of the Church on earth.

Thank you dear Francis, for your words of love to our Holy Mother.

PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI Praising Mary, Mother of Jesus

Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen,
Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin.
You were chosen by the Most High Father in heaven,
consecrated by Him, with His most Holy Beloved Son and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

On you descended and still remains all the fullness of grace and every good.
Hail, His Palace.
Hail His Tabernacle.
Hail His Robe.
Hail His Handmaid.
Hail, His Mother.
and Hail, all holy Virtues, who, by grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, are poured into the hearts of the faithful so that from their faithless state, they may be made faithful servants of God through you.

Hail Lady, Holy Queen, Holy Mary Mother of God,
who art the Virgin made Church
and the One elect by the Most Holy Father of Heaven,
whom He consecrated with His Most Holy beloved Son
and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete;
Thou in whom was and is all fullness of grace and every good.

Hail His Palace;
Hail His Tabernacle;
Hail His Home.

Hail His Vestment;
Hail His Handmaid;
Hail His Mother
And hail all you holy virtues, which through the grace and illumination of the Holy Spirit are
infused into the hearts of the faithful, so that from those unfaithful you make them faithful to God.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Angels

You are fair, O Mary,
And the stain of original sin is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem;
You are the joy of Israel;
You are the honor of our people;
You are the advocate of sinners, O Mary

Our Lady of the Angels,
Virgin most prudent,
Mother Most loving,
Pray for us,
Intercede for us with Jesus Christ our Lord.
(mention your request)

AMEN.

.

Susi Pittman is founder of CatholicStewardsofCreation.com and Owner-President of Twin Oaks Publishing; she is author of Animals in Heaven? Catholics Want to Know!; an advocate for the Florida Catholic Conference; a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Council of Women in Jacksonville, Florida; an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Augustine;a member of the Florida Publishers Association, Independent Book Publishers Association, the National Association of Professional Women, the ASPCA, the Humane Society of the United States and the National Audubon society.