Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us

Readings: 1^st: Chron 24:17-25; Ps: 88; Gos: Lk 2:41-51

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the Saturday of the eleventh week of ordinary time. Yesterday, the Church celebrated the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today, she celebrates the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The veneration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary generally coincides with the adoration of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Together, these two hearts are known as the “two hearts of love.” That is to say, they are the fount and source of love.

This devotion honors Mary’s perfect purity of heart in virtue of her Immaculate Conception. Two elements are essential to this devotion, Mary’s interior life, and Mary’s virginal body.

The aim of the devotion is to unite us to God through Mary’s heart of love, and this process involves the ideas of consecration and reparation.

A person is consecrated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart as a way of being completely devoted and united with Christ his Son. This involves a total gift of self, something only ultimately possible with reference to God.

Like every other mother, Mary was the person who had the greatest influence on her son’s heart. She taught him how to love, share, pray, and how to be compassionate.

The Gospel says very openly that Mary and Joseph did not understand their son’s reply. However, they took him home and continued to care for him.

Let us pray that through the intercession of Mary, parents may continue to understand and care for their children, and help in their daily struggles.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

Peace be with you all

Maranatha!