August 15, 2016: Feast of Assumption of Blessed Mother

August 15, 2016: Feast of Assumption of Blessed Mother

For centuries, Christians all over the world have cried out to the Blessed Virgin Mary with these following words, placing themselves under her tender care as “Mother of Mercy.”  

"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 our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears."

Once when St. Faustina Kowalska prayed these words, she saw Blessed Mother with the Infant Jesus in her arms, and heard these words from Blessed Mother, 

"I am not only the Queen of Heaven, but also the Mother of Mercy, and your Mother" (Diary of St. Faustina, 330).

Blessed Mother’s words also remind us of what she said to St. Juan Diego in Guadalupe:

“Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need?”

During this extraordinary time of suffering, we entrust to Jesus through the hands of Blessed Mother all the difficulties affecting our world as it seeks serenity and peace, especially the problems of the many families who look anxiously to the future as they try to rebuild after this devastating flood.  We place in her hands, our sorrows and tears, disappointments and frustrations. May our Heavenly Mother who said “yes” to many uncertainties of life, teach us to overcome our indifference to those who are suffering and be compassionate to them.