J.M.J.
November 1, 2019
Feast of All Saints
“There never was, and never will be, an offering on the part of a pure creature greater or more perfect than that which Mary made to God when, at the age of three years, She presented Herself in the temple to offer Him Her entire self, consecrating Herself as a perpetual victim in His honor.” Saint Alphonsus de Liguori
Dear Friend of Our Lady,
Those familiar with the Message of Fatima often express amazement and are moved by the sacrificial lives led by the three children seers at Fatima – Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta – which began with the preparatory visits of the Angel of Portugal in 1916 and increased with the visits of Our Lady, especially that visit whereby She showed them a vision of hell “where the souls of poor sinners go.”
We are moved particularly by the youngest seer, Jacinta, who was only 6 when the Angel of Portugal appeared. It is difficult for adults to fathom such willingness on the part of young children to offer sacrifices, especially those sacrifices that many find objectionable and often have the greatest difficulty with, such as fasting.
Our Lady of Fatima asked us to offer sacrifices to help sinners and make reparation. The children embraced this request of Our Lady’s not only without complaint, but with great relish. They wanted to do this simply because She asked, and She showed them what happens to those who do not amend their lives and die in their sins.
As amazed as we are by the children of Fatima, how much greater our amazement and edification should be upon contemplating the sacrifice of the three-year-old Child of Saints Joachim and Anne – the Child Mary – Who we refer to as our heavenly Mother, our Mediatress before the Divine Justice, and our Queen – the Queen of all saints.
While praying the Rosary we meditate on Our Lady presenting the Child Jesus in the temple, but how many are aware of, or meditate on, the presentation of the little Child Mary – Who presented Herself! in the temple?
Understanding the vow – to consecrate their child to God – made by Her parents in return for the gift of a child, three-year-old Mary asked Her parents to take Her to the temple so She could fulfill their promise (Mary understood because She received the perfect use of reason – as well as simultaneous sanctification – at the instant of Her Immaculate Conception).
As Saint Alphonsus said, the Child Mary “desired to offer and solemnly to consecrate Herself to God, by presenting Herself in the temple.”
Saint Alphonsus tells us that after a journey of approximately eighty miles (from Nazareth to Jerusalem), upon arriving at the temple, the Child Mary turned to Her parents, and on Her knees kissed their hands and asked for their blessing; and then, without again turning back, She ascended the fifteen steps of the temple and presented Herself to the priest, Saint Zachary.
“Having done this, She bade farewell to the world, and renouncing all the pleasures that it promises … She offered and consecrated Herself to Her Creator.”
Spending years in the temple, Mary “offered Herself entirely to God, without the least reserve…” and unbeknownst to Her, God was preparing Her for the greatest role given to any creature – that of the Mother of God.
Her life was one great sacrifice. One of Her titles is Queen of Martyrs, for not only were Her sufferings greater than that of any of the martyrs, but Her sufferings were greater than the combined sufferings endured by all the martyrs. Her sufferings were second only to Her Son’s.
Enclosed is a prayer card recently reprinted, which honors and depicts the presentation of the Child Mary in the temple. The image on the front portrays the Child Mary leaving Her parents, Anne and Joachim, and ascending the steps of the temple.
The text on the back of the card has been revised and includes an explanation of the vows of Joachim and Anne, Mary’s desire to present Herself in the temple in order to fulfill Her parents’ promise, the quote by Saint Alphonsus de Liguori at the top of page one of this letter, and the prayer from the Collect of the Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of Mary, November 21.
Let us honor Our Lady and thank Her by meditating on Her life of sacrifice, including that of Her as a three-year-old Child leaving Her parents and offering Herself without reserve to God for His glory and honor, and for the benefit of all mankind as told by the Angel Gabriel when He said, “Hail, full of grace” (Lk 1:28).
For more copies of the prayer card The Presentation of the Child Mary in the Temple, call us at 1-800-263-8160 or return the enclosed reply form.
In the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts,
Joanna Swords
P.S. Saint Alphonsus also instructs us on the consideration that should be given of the generous sacrifice that Joachim and Anne made in offering their most precious treasure, the one dearest to their heart, to God.
P.P.S. The biggest consoler of the souls in Purgatory is Our Lady. These suffering souls are very dear to Her. Let us remember to pray often for them during the month of November, and every day of the year. They cannot help themselves and rely on us for help to lessen their pains and help shorten their time of suffering. To assist you with this we have a leaflet, “A Week of Prayers for the Holy Souls”. For copies, return the enclosed reply form or call us at 1-800-263-8160.