Our Lady of Sorrows ~ Feast Day is September 15th

"When I tell you this, I am not addressing myself strictly to you, child, but I am making this appeal to the world," the Virgin told the seer Marie-Claire Mukangango – who was later killed in the war. She said the Virgin described the world as in revolt against God, the world “is on the edge of catastrophe.” 

This is a quote from Our Blessed Mother to Marie-Claire Mukangango, who was one of the seers of Kibeho in the 1980's. If you have never heard the events of those apparitions, here is a good link to learn more and to read the messages. http://www.kibeho.org/en/history.php. In brief, Our Lady appeared to 3 young women, Alphonsine Mumureke, Marie-Claire, and Nathalie Mukamazimpaka in Kibeho, Rwanda, beginning in 1981. They are the 3 recognized by the Catholic Church, though many more reported seeing her, as well as a young man. This is the official determination by the church: https://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/OLKIBEHO.HTM.  Over the course of 8 years she appeared to them numerous times and told them the importance of saying the rosary daily, going to mass often but especially every Sunday, doing penance, sacrifice and fasting and reciting the rosary of the seven sorrows. Our Mother even taught one of the seers, Marie-Claire, how to say it so that she could teach others. She told us to love and care for one another and to obey God and his commands. She also said that ANYONE can recite the rosary and the chaplet of the sorrows. You can be any religion and do so.

“ The world hastens to its ruin, it will fall into the abyss… The world is rebellious against God, it commits too many sins, it has neither love nor peace. If you do not repent and do not convert your hearts, you will fall into the abyss."  

"Do not forget that God is more powerful than all of the evil in the world....The world is on the edge of catastrophe. Cleanse your hearts through prayer. The only way is through God. If you do not take refuge in God, where will you hide when the fire has spread everywhere?"

This is a synopsis of her messages:

1. am the Mother of the Word.
2. Repent without delay.
3. Repent when it is still time.
4. Repent so that you may not fall in a gulf.
5. Mortify yourselves in order to help Jesus to save the world.
6. Accept your sufferings with faith and joy.
7. Nobody will enter into heaven without endure sufferings.
8. The child of Mary accepts its sufferings.
9. Pray always without hypocrisy.
10. Pray always for the Church.
11. Pray without becoming weary.
12. Pray always for the world.
13. Meditate on the Rosary.
14. Meditate on the Rosary of sorrows of the Virgin Mary.
15. Repent, Repent, Repent.
16. Stand strong in your faith.
17. Come back to God.
18. Faith and doubt will come in maliciously.
19. I have opened and you did not come in.
20. What are you waiting for? What are you waiting for? What are you waiting for?

With all of the events going on today in the world, the natural devastations, the wars, the hatred and lack of God in thoughts, words and actions, it seems prudent that we listen to the messages of Our Mother and heed her message. She recommended that the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows be said on Tuesdays, Fridays and on her feast day, which is the 15th of September. Since tomorrow is her feast day, I think it is a great time to start this devotion, which does have graces attached to it, I might add. The graces are:

1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany
   them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death; they will see the face of their Mother.
7. I have obtained (this grace) from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

 You say the rosary of the seven sorrows as follows:

Beginning

When starting the Rosary of Sorrows, after the sign of the cross, we do not recite the "Creed," but immediately say the following prayer:

Introductory prayer
My God, I offer you this Rosary in honor of the seven principal Sorrows of Mary, for your greatest glory, for my conversion and that of all people through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our salvation and our unique way to come to you, in union with the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen!

Act of contrition
My God, I regret so much to have offended you because you are infinitely good, infinitely kind and you dislike sin. I make a firm resolution, with the help of your holy grace, never to offend you and to do penance. In this state of contrition, I want to live and die. Amen!

Then recite the first sorrow (see list following this paragraph). Say the Our Father and then 7 Hail Mary's. Then say, Pray for us, Virgin most sorrowful, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Proceed with the next sorrow.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34–35)
2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:43–45)
4. The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on his Way to Calvary (traditional)
5. Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25)
6. Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross (Matthew 27:57–59)
7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40–42)

Closing Prayer:

Let us pray.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, O LORD JESUS CHRIST, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, whose most holy soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrow in the hour of thine own Passion. Through Thee, JESUS CHRIST, SAVIOR of the world, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen. 

The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows is a beautiful tradition in the Church and allows a soul to walk the via matris, following Mary who kept all of these sorrows in her heart.

If we all pray, pray, pray as Mother Mary requests, and turn our lives to God, perhaps we can attain peace on earth and good will toward men. Have a peaceful week.

Mare