Our Lady of Knock

(photo credit)

On August 21, 1879, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist appeared to 15 people in Knock, Ireland. Jesus was also visible under the form of a lamb - the Almighty God who has all power in His hands, emptied Himself and took the form of a tiny Lamb.

This window is in the Votive Candle Chapel at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe near LaCrosse, WI.

Hail Holy Queen

(photo credit)

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, at Holy Hill, Wisconsin

Following the Rosary the Hail Holy Queen prayer is said:

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 sighs

Mourning and weeping in this valley 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+

Coronation

(photo credit)

Window in the choir loft in The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, at Holy Hill, Wisconsin

Mary is the Mother of the Son of God, who is the messianic King. Mary is the Mother of Christ, the Word incarnate. ... "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." [Luke 1:32-33] ... Elizabeth greeted the Blessed Virgin, pregnant with Jesus, as "the Mother of my Lord." [Luke 1:41-43]

Mary is the perfect follower of Christ. The maid of Nazareth consented to God's plan; she journeyed on the pilgrimage of faith; she listened to God's word and kept it in her heart; she remained steadfastly in close union with her Son, all the way to the foot of the cross; she persevered in prayer with the Church. Thus in an eminent way she won the "crown of righteousness," [See 2 Timothy 4:8] the "crown of life," [See James 1:12; Revelation 2:10] the "crown of glory" [See 1 Peter 5:4] that is promised to those who follow Christ.

Assumption

(photo credit)

~Notice our Lady's feet are not touching the ground?

MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS
Pope Pius XII

5. Now God has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary should be exempted from this general rule. She, by an entirely unique privilege, completely overcame sin by her Immaculate Conception, and as a result she was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, and she did not have to wait until the end of time for the redemption of her body.
6. Thus, when it was solemnly proclaimed that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, was from the very beginning free from the taint of original sin, the minds of the faithful were filled with a stronger hope that the day might soon come when the dogma of the Virgin Mary's bodily Assumption into heaven would also be defined by the Church's supreme teaching authority.

~Excerpt from the Apostolic Constitution defining "ex cathedra" (from the chair of Peter) the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin)

Obtained at EWTN

BTW - a DOGMA is an official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church which is binding upon ALL Catholics. To wonder about, to question even to doubt is not a sin (as far as I'm aware) but to DISSENT or REJECT this teaching is gravely sinful.

Ascension

(photo credit)

St. Pancras Church, London, England

I love this window depicted just the feet of His Majesty before He is taken from the sight of the Apostles.

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who believe Thine only-begotten Son our Redeemer, to have ascended this day into heaven,may ourselves dwell in spirit amid heavenly things. ~Roman Missal, 6th-8th Century

Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

(photo credit)

St. Pancras Church, London, England

The Gospel of Mark 16, 1-7 places before our eyes the faithful holy women who, at the first rays of the Sunday dawn, run to the sepulchre, and on the way, wonder: "Who will roll back the stone from the door of the sepulchre for us?" This preoccupation, although it is well justified on account of the size and weight of the stone, does not deter them from proceeding with their plans; they are too much taken up with the desire of finding Jesus! And behold! hardly have they arrived when they see "the stone rolled back". They enter the tomb and find an Angel who greets them with the glad announcement: "He is risen; He is not here." At this time, Jesus does not let Himself be found or seen; but a little later when, in obedience to the command of the Angel, the women leave the tomb to bring the news to the disciples, He will appear before them saying, "All hail!" (Matthew 28, 9), and their joy will be overwhelming.

The Crucifixion

(photo credit)

St. Pancras Church, London, England

The most important reason for strongly encouraging the practice of the Rosary is that it represents a most effective means of fostering among the faithful that commitment to the contemplation of the Christian mystery... (John Paul II, "Rosarium Virginis Mariae", 5)

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Carrying of the Cross

You yourself must decide of your own free will to take up the cross; otherwise, your tongue may say that you are imitating Christ, but your actions will belie your words. That way, you will never get to know the Master intimately, or love him truly. It is really important that we Christians convince ourselves of this. We are not walking with Our Lord unless we are spontaneously depriving ourselves of many things that our whims, vanity, pleasure or self-interest clamour for. Not a single day should pass that has not been seasoned with the salt and grace of mortification; and, please get rid of the idea that you would then be miserable. What a sad little happiness you will have if you don't learn to overcome yourself, if you let your passions and fancies dominate and crush you, instead of courageously taking up your cross! (Friends of God, 129)

To love the Cross means being able to put oneself out, gladly, for the love of Christ, though it's hard -- and because it's hard. You have enough experience to know that this is not a contradiction. (The Forge, 519)

Crowning with Thorns

The Crowning With Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him

Scourging at the Pillar

(photo credit)

Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass, France
Passion of Christ Window (c.1150): Scourging

PILATE, perceiving the obstinacy of the people in requiring that Jesus should be crucified, sentenced Him, in the first place, to the shameful punishment of scourging, and consigned Him to the hands of the soldiers, that his orders might be executed.

Jesus is scourged, for no crime of His own, but to expiate, in His innocent flesh, those sins of impurity with which you have so often defiled your body. Contemplate Jesus at the pillar, bleeding and lacerated from head to foot, and learn hence all that your sins of impurity have cost Him. Beseech Him to cleanse all the stains of your soul with His Divine Blood.

Agony in the Garden

(photo credit)

St. Pancras Church, London England

And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

Institution of the Eucharist

Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass
Passion of Christ Window (c.1150): Last Supper

THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Jesus took bread, blessed it: "Take and eat, this is My Body."
Taking the wine: "This cup is the new covenant in my Blood, shed for you."
At that eucharistic meal, Jesus celebrated the first Mass.
At every Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is made present.
At the Last Supper Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Orders to perpetuate this sacrifice.
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."
The Eucharist is a sacrifice inasmuch as it is offered up, and a sacrament inasmuch as it is received.
In the Mass we offer ourselves to God, and God gives himself to us.
The Mass will be fruitful in the measure of our surrender to the Father.
Spiritual Fruit: Love of our Eucharistic Lord

Transfiguration

(photo credit)

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain to pray.
Jesus was transfigured before them.
"His face became as dazzling as the sun, his clothes as radiant as light."
This was to fortify their faith to withstand the coming tragedy of the Passion.
Jesus foresaw the 'scandal of the cross,' and prepared them for it by this manifestation of His glory.
Moses and Elias (representing the Law and the prophets of the Old Testament) were conversing with Jesus about His passion.
"Do not think I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets... but to fulfill them."
From a cloud came a voice: "This is my beloved Son, listen to Him."
Jesus admonishes them not to tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man rises from the dead.
We too will behold the transfigured Jesus on the Last Day.
Spiritual Fruit: Spiritual Courage

My Lord Jesus, I trust in thee

Proclamation of the Kingdom

"Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand."
"My kingdom is not of this world."
"Unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven."
"Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it."
"I have come to call sinners, not the just."
"Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you."
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied."
"Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church... I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
Spiritual Fruit: Desire for Holiness

Wedding Feast of Cana

(photo credit)

Wedding Feast at Cana According to St. John (with commentary in italics)

1 And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.
4 "What is that to me"... These words of our Saviour, spoken to his mother, have been understood by some commentators as harsh, they not considering the next following verse: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye, which plainly shews that his mother knew of the miracle that he was to perform, and that it was at her request he wrought it; besides the manner of speaking the words as to the tone, and the countenance shewn at the same time, which could only be known to those who were present, or from what had followed: for words indicating anger in one tone of voice, would be understood quite the reverse in another.
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. 7 Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. 9 And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, 10 And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Baptism of Jesus

Baptism of Jesus According to St. Luke

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 17 And behold a voice from heaven, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple

(photo credit)

Jesus Lost in the Temple According to St. Luke

41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, 42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, 43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. 44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. 45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. 48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business? 50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

The Presentation

(photo credit)

The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple according to St. Luke

22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: 24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: 29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; 30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: 32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; 35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

The Nativity

(photo credit)

According to the book "The Mystical City of God" by Ven. Mary of Agreda Mary received her Son in her arms from the hands of the holy angels and said:

“My sweetest love and light of my eyes, Thou hast arrived in good hour into this world as the Sun of justice, in order to disperse the darkness of sin and death! True God of the true God, save thy servants, and let all flesh see him, who shall draw upon it salvation.”

The Visitation

THE VISITATION ACCORDING TO THE VISIONS OF BL. ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH

After the Conception of Jesus, Mary was inspired to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was then pregnant for John the Baptist. Elizabeth’s husband, Zachary, had been struck dumb shortly after Elizabeth’s conception and had taken to communicating by writing on a tablet.

Informed in a vision that Mary was approaching, Elizabeth made ready for her visitors. Sensing their approach, she hurried from the house to meet Mary and Joseph. Though they had never met, Mary recognized Elizabeth immediately and hurried to greet her.

I saw a light in Mary and issuing from her a ray which entered into Elizabeth, who thereby became wonderfully agitated. They did not pause long in sight of the beholders, but arm in arm passed up the courtyard to the door of the house, where Elizabeth once more bade Mary welcome. Joseph went around to the side of the house and into an open hall where sat Zachary. He respectfully saluted the aged priest, who responded in writing on his tablet.

When Mary and Elizabeth entered the house, a light issued down between them during their embrace, flooding Elizabeth with a passion that caused her to exclaim, “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (which later became part of the Hail Mary: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”