Marian Helper Summer 2013

school, as well as other times during the day,” Br. Thaddaeus said. “I know she loves the Rosary, but I imagine that she also loves hear- ing her children confide everything to her.” Marian devotions for May Father Mark mentions as well special prayers that the community offers together for the month of May, such as the Litany of Loreto. The seminarians are also encouraged to delve deeper into their devotion to Mary during this month. “I like to pick flowers for the Blessed Mother and to place them near a statue of her on Mother’s Day,” Br. Allen said. “But by far my favorite Marian devotion for the month of May is to participate in a May Crowning, especially one involving young children. Seeing devotion to Our Blessed Mother on the faces and in the hearts of her little ones gives me great joy!” “I simply try to remember that it is May and try to perform actions in union with Mary,” Br Thaddaeus said. “I also ask Jesus to increase my love for His Mother.” Father Mark says another way that the seminarians grow in their love for Mary is by consecrating themselves to her. “Most of the men who join us have already consecrated themselves to her in some way,” Fr. Mark says. “Oftentimes, I see our men renewing that consecration. Father Michael Gaitley’s book 33 Days to Morning Glory on Marian consecration has helped our guys deepen their understanding of why Mary is the quickest, easiest, and surest way to Jesus.” But it’s not just the studies, prayers, and devotions that inspire the Marians, it’s the community’s deep love for Our Lady that radiates from the house in Washington. “In our community, love for Our Lady is a way of life,” Fr. Mark says. “Through all the communal prayers, studies, and personal devotions, Our Lady helps to stamp us with her personality in some way. “I am surprised when a guest mentions that they sense the presence of Mary in the house. When I was a seminarian here, we had a Franciscan priest visit who had lived with St. Maxmilian Kolbe at Niepokalanów, Poland. He said that the same presence of Our Lady that he felt there, he felt in our house, too. We were shocked by his comments because we didn’t feel like we were doing anything extraordinary. “That just points to the essence of our Marian formation,” Fr. Mark says. “All of us are trying to open our hearts to her in an ordinary way, allowing her to help shape each one of us as a Marian of the Immaculate Conception.” To support these seminarians and our other men in formation, please visit marian.org/seminarians. M H S EMINARIANS Continued from page 25 Divine Mercy: AGuide from Genesis to Benedict XVI by Dr. Robert Stackpole, STD Trace God’s mercy through the Bible, the writings of the Church’s great thinkers, the saints, as well as Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict’s Divine Mercy Mandate by David Came Explore Pope Benedict’s Divine Mercy mandate and its implications for your life. Mark the papal transition Celebrate Benedict’s legacy ... Pray for Pope Francis Special offer: $14.95 for both books. Code: B19-POPPK (plus S&H) Save 46% Pope Francis Elected March 13, 2013 Download your free digital Pope Francis prayercard or buy the printed version in bulk at thedivinemercy.org/library/ popefrancis. Visit marian.org/catalog/b19 or call 1-800-462-7426. B19-POPEPC Back to Index