 Lights and Shadows
by a Marian Sister of Santa Rosa Mary and Joseph went up the temple to pray, And for the life of God’s newborn son to pay. A ransom from death for us sinners, unrepentant, Two turtle doves for His own life are there presented. Simeon sings of the swords that are yet to pierce The Heart of Our Lady—blades merciless and fierce. Anna proclaims, “The Messiah has come at last!” The blood shall be smeared on the doors of our souls That the destroyer may not our lives grasp. See the little turtle doves, innocent and sweet, Cooing and at being sold, turning the other cheek. Behold how their lives are twin tokens of Father’s love- As God the Father hands over to save our souls His dearest loves: His Son and His Jericho Rose—His purest doves. In Ramah soon, a cry will be heard, as never heard ‘fore nor since As Mary and Joseph make haste to protect the Blessed Sacrament. The light of the star that three Magi led from their treasures’ to paupers’ tent, To the Light of the Gentiles, heaven-sent (Hush…hear the rip of fabric—the veil of the Holy of Holies is rent…) Led too, did it not, to death of these Holy Innocents; And see now, foreshadowed, the tragedy high Of crucified Innocence. Let all mortal flesh be silent and stand in wondered loss For cast by the Light of Nations—lo! The shadow of the cross ...  How delightful it is when little children reveal their age by holding up (somewhat haphazardly) as many little fingers as they have years to their lives. If we were to have done so this year, we would need all fingers on both hands: Our Lady’s Little community turned ten years old in the 2022. We would love to recount with you, our dear friends, relatives and benefactors, the many blessings bestowed on us by God throughout the past year.
 "But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Romans 6: 8 - 11  As the New Year begins, many people look towards the motto, "new year, new me." Many wish to get back on track with their health - starting exercise routines or a different way of eating. Others focus on mental health. removing stress in their life, or carving out more time for family and loved ones. Thankfully, others wish to bring about a healthier soul - diving deeper into their spiritual life. All of these are good attitudes for one to have, providing that we see that a healthier body, mind, and soul helps one to serve God better and to more perfectly do His will.
 "The Church presents to us the 'first fruits' of these 'true Christians,' those who by their works, and even by their death, having sung the glory of the Redeemer. We see them in the retinue of the divine Child, like angels on earth, who unite their hymn to that of the angels in heaven."
 The glory of God is our supreme end, what all creation groans for in expectation. By grace we begin to share in that glory which shall be fulfilled in the eternal bliss of union with the Holy Trinity. Let us join with Our Mother, Mediatrix of all Graces and St. Louis Marie de Montfort in meditating on our blessed hope in the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.
 Suffering and sorrow is our lot here upon this sinful earth. Far from abandoning us to our self-imposed misery, Our Lord enters into our sorrows in His Incarnation, and particularly in His Passion and Death, in order to redeem us by setting us free from our sins. His Mother joins Him in her role as co-redemptrix, sharing His and our suffering as the most tender of mothers. Let us join with Our Sorrowful Mother and St. Louis Marie de Montfort in meditating on the great love of Our Lord in the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
 Our Lord is Himself luminous; radiating light, illuminating and revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to the world that dwells in the darkness and error of sin. The Mysteries of Light, or the Luminous Mysteries, invite us to meditate on Christ’s public ministry when He made Himself known as the revelation of God, God Who seeks us in the darkness to draw us to His never-failing Light. Let us join with Our Blessed Mother and St. Louis Marie de Montfort to find this illumination in the five Luminous Mysteries.
 Joy is the special kind of happiness that comes from being in the presence of one we love. The rosary, and the Joyful Mysteries in particular, allow us to experience the greatest of joys, that of being with Our Lord Who loves us above all things, Who longs to shower us with graces as we pray. Let us join with Our Blessed Mother and St. Louis Marie de Montfort to find this blessed fruit in the five Joyful Mysteries.
 "Grant we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we, who in our affliction put our trust in Thy mercy, may ever be defended by Thy protection against all adversity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen." - Collect of the Mass of Rogation |
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