Ad Jesum per Mariam Ad Jesum per Mariam

Our Lady Rises on the Feast of the Visitation

Mary set out to the hill country in haste.

The Visitation is important to linger with the fact that it involves a rising above or upward movement. For many of us, we know of her downward movement. She comes down from Heaven at Lourdes . . . down from Heaven to Fatima. Yet, this Feast Day involves the first Marian visit going upward, ascending toward someone (St. Elizabeth).

Why does Our Lady set out in such haste to the hillside? St. Luke tells us she was in a hurry to get to the hill country. With Christ in her, she rises to the hills. Why in haste? Because Jesus wants to visit the home of St. Elizabeth.

The haste of Our Lady is in part, the haste of Our Lord. Why in a hurry to visit Elizabeth? The angel told Our Lady Elizabeth was already in her sixth month, because nothing is impossible for God. When the angel tells Mary of an impossibility, that she will be the Mother of God, she is also told of another impossibility. Elizabeth, old as she is, will have a child. Elizabeth’s child is a sign for Our Lady, that nothing is impossible for God. Hear the significance of this second impossibility for Our Lady. Hear more within the Homily.

We don’t know all of what Our Lady said to her cousin. That is strange, because St. Luke gives us every word in the Magnificat. We only know that the sound of Our Lady’s greeting was powerful, for both St. Elizabeth, and her unborn child.

Linger with that image for a while. What would the sound of a woman pregnant with God actually sound like?

Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to:

Our Lady Rises on the Feast of the Visitation.


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Image:

Mary and Elizabeth: Dutch Painter: Carl Bloch
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Gospel Reading: Luke: 1: 39-56

Decisions Are Part of Christian Life

Before beginning the Homily, two announcements were made.

Two New Montfort Priests Arrive at Shrine
The first announcement: The Shrine now has three Montfort Fathers that will say Mass going forward. Fr. Bernard and Fr. Felix have joined the Shrine from Africa. In the near term, you’ll hear more about each priest.

Second, The Shrine’s full name is The Shrine of Our Lady of the Island, Dedicated to Mary, Queen of All Hearts. On the first Monday of each month, an extended formation program(s) will be offered on Montfort’s Spirituality. For those that can attend, any part of the day’s conference, you are indeed invited. The only requirement is that you have already made your consecration according to St. Louis de Montfort’s approach, and you have enrolled within The Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts. For those that do not live on Long Island, more information will be made available about these conferences shortly.

Sooner or Later . . .
Today’s reading places the issue of decision in front of us in a particular way. In today’s modern world in living the faith, there is a certain type of personalities than what was experienced in years past. The personality doesn’t practice any faith but is curious about all of them. Hear more in the Homily.

On some levels, we see this in the Gospel reading today. The Pharisees come to Jesus as a group. They ask, under who’s authority are you teaching? The Homily also relates this question to the modern age’s tendencies.

The Pharisees are threatened with Jesus’ teachings. They are threatened, because Jesus’ teaching is not always in line with the Pharisees. Where does the authority come from, asks the Pharisees.

. . . We All Must Make a Decision
The Pharisees do not really have a desire to know under what authority Jesus operates under, because they really do not want to know. Despite the actual question, they really do not want to know. They are not interested in understanding Jesus’ response. Hear more within the Homily.

When we read this Gospel passage, we should recognize the human heart has this tendency. I like to have my questions answered, but I may like to make a commitment. The human heart likes to keep its options open. The Pharisees wanted to keep their options open by their response. However, sooner or later the human heart must make a decision. Sooner or later, it means nothing if we say I Love the Lord, but do not commit myself to Him.

Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to:

Decisions Are Part of Christian Life
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Image:

The Pharisees Conspire Against Jesus: French Painter: James Tissot

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Gospel Reading: Matthew: 11: 27-33

Jesus Tells Us We Need to Be Led. Understand What Surrendering We Must Be Willing to Do, For the Love of Jesus


When you were younger, you dressed yourself and went where you wanted to go.

When you are older . . . someone else will dress you and lead you to where you do not want to go. These words Jesus speaks to Peter is a foretelling of Peter’s martyrdom. But they are also words to what waits for many of us at the end of our life. As we grow older, we are less capable of doing things we easily did when we were younger.

For those that provide care to elderly parents, we experience a role reversal. We dress the ones that used to dress us when we were young. Hear more as to what this means for us within the Homily.

It’s good to pause and contemplate this for a moment. The Lord, with these words, is not talking about aging. He is talking about a certain degree of surrender that everyone sooner or later needs to make!

In the Gospel, Jesus looks at Peter. Peter is strong and dedicated, but there is something missing. There is an element of discipleship that does not focus on what we can do, but recognize things we cannot do. One cannot do everything. In fact, there is very little one can do unless the person is led.

Jesus does indeed talk about aging. Not as a diminishment, but a surrender of the heart. Why? Because love involves surrender.

Listen to this Meditation Media on Surrendering. Hear what Jesus does with Peter just before the Ascension.

Listen to:

Jesus Tells Us We Need to Be Led. Understand What Surrendering We Must Be Willing to Do, For the Love of Jesus

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Image:

Christ and the Rich Man (cropped): German Painter: Johann Michael Ferdinand Heinrich Hofmann: 1899

One of three paintings by this artist purchased by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
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Gospel Reading: John: 21: 15-19

Reading Through Dignitas Infinita – The Declaration on Human Dignity

This audio is Part 5 of 5: Moving Forward with this Teaching. See all the titles within this conference below.

Dignitas Infinita (which means Infinite Dignity) is a 2024 declaration on Catholic doctrine that outlines the importance of human dignity, explains its connection to God.

“Dignitas Infinita – The Declaration on Human Dignity” is a profound testament to the intrinsic worth and rights of every individual. Crafted as a guiding beacon for ethical and moral conduct, it articulates the fundamental principles that uphold human dignity across diverse cultural, social, and philosophical landscapes. Rooted in the belief that every person possesses inherent value and deserves respect, the declaration addresses key facets of human existence, including autonomy, equality, and justice.

By championing these principles, Dignitas Infinita seeks to foster a world where the dignity of each person is not only recognized but actively safeguarded, ensuring that human flourishing becomes the cornerstone of societal progress and collective well-being.

The doctrine is however profound and is beautifully written and published by the Catholic Church. The Company of Mary is holding a five-week conference (one media per week). The session titles discuss the document within a specific context.

The titles of each conference:
-1- A correct understanding on Human Dignity
-2- Learning to live in a dignified way
-3- Threats to Human Dignity – Part I
-4- Threats to Human Dignity – Part II
-5- Moving forward with this teaching

Join us by either listening to the audio or, on some media outlets, a video of the conference is presented. Select whichever media format you prefer. Understand this declaration to the fullest.

Listen to this five-part conference.

Trinity Sunday: What is the Church’s Message On This Day?

Human language and concepts sometimes break down or falls short in describing something.

The Church celebrates the Holy Trinity. One God, but three persons. What is the Church telling us today? What is the Church telling us about ourselves on this day?

Listen to this Meditation Media.

Reading Through Dignitas Infinita – The Declaration on Human Dignity

This audio is Part IV: Threats to Human Dignity: Part 2 of 2: See all the titles within this conference below.

Dignitas Infinita (which means Infinite Dignity) is a 2024 declaration on Catholic doctrine that outlines the importance of human dignity, explains its connection to God.

“Dignitas Infinita – The Declaration on Human Dignity” is a profound testament to the intrinsic worth and rights of every individual. Crafted as a guiding beacon for ethical and moral conduct, it articulates the fundamental principles that uphold human dignity across diverse cultural, social, and philosophical landscapes. Rooted in the belief that every person possesses inherent value and deserves respect, the declaration addresses key facets of human existence, including autonomy, equality, and justice.

By championing these principles, Dignitas Infinita seeks to foster a world where the dignity of each person is not only recognized but actively safeguarded, ensuring that human flourishing becomes the cornerstone of societal progress and collective well-being.

The doctrine is however profound and is beautifully written and published by the Catholic Church. The Company of Mary is holding a five-week conference (one media per week). The session titles discuss the document within a specific context.

The titles of each conference:
-1- A correct understanding on Human Dignity (previously published)
-2- Learning to live in a dignified way (previously published)
-3- Threats to Human Dignity – Part I (previously published)
-4- Threats to Human Dignity – Part II (this audio)
-5- Moving forward with this teaching

If you can, join us at the Shrine of Our Lady, Dedicated to the Queen of All Hearts for each conference. Otherwise, on a weekly basis, join us by either listening to the audio or, on some media outlets, a video of the conference is presented. Select whichever media format you prefer. Understand this declaration to the fullest.

Listen to this conference over the next five weeks.