26 Marian Helper • Fall 2024 • Marian.org Yes, The Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title as the “Immaculate Conception,” is our nation’s official patroness, declared such by Bl. Pope Pius IX on July 2, 1847. Our Lady is also Patroness of the Marian Fathers, whose official name is, “Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” The Mediator The “Immaculate Conception” refers to Mary’s soul, conceived without original sin, an official dogma of the Church stating that the Blessed Virgin, “by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Holy Mother Mary was given to us by Jesus from the Cross when He said to His Mother, “Woman, here is your son” before St. John, the apostle (Jn 19:26). Jesus referred to her as “Woman,” recalling Eve, the first woman and mother of all the living. Christ was telling His mother that she would now be “Mother,” in essence the “new Eve,” to all living beings. In ancient Israel, it was always the Queen Mother who interceded before the King for the nation’s people and their needs. In much the same way, Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven, intercedes for us before her Son, the King of Heaven and earth. We only need to ask. Though there is one mediator: Jesus Christ, between God and man, Christ’s Mother brings our prayers, needs, and petitions before her Son, the Mediator. The God of Mercy Our Lord, through Sacred Scripture, also gives us guidance By Kimberly Bruce I n times of trouble and distress in our lives, who do we turn to first? Often, it is to our mothers with their comforting touch, support, and guidance. So, too, in this time of great division in our nation and a pending election, who better to turn to than Our Holy Mother, Mary Immaculate, the Patroness of the United States? Turn to Mother! in times of national trouble. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, He says, “ If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Likewise, in Jeremiah 18:7-8, God says that if a nation on the verge of destruction “turns from its evil,” He will change His mind about the disaster set to fall upon it. In both passages, God’s forgiveness is conditional, stemming from one thing: repentance. When was the last time you went to Confession? Take advantage of the graces available through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession even enables one’s prayers to be more efficacious! Once one’s sins have been confessed Election 2024
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