Marian Feasts during August

                                                      

During the month of August two significant Marian feasts are celebrated by the Church. These feasts are the Assumption of Mary, which is a holy day of obligation (although this year in America it is not recognized as such) and falls on August 15, and the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on August 22..

Since both of these Marian feast days are also Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, praying the Glorious mysteries during August would be a wonderful way to honor Our Lady. As Pope Leo XIII writes, “The Glorious Mysteries reveal the mediation of the great Virgin, still more abundant in fruitfulness. She rejoices in heart over the glory of her Son triumphant over death, and follows Him with a mother's love in His Ascension to His eternal kingdom; but, though worthy of Heaven, she abides a while on earth, so that the infant Church may be directed and comforted by her... .”

The Glorious Mysteries in order are the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One lesser known prayer of the Rosary, simply named “The Rosary Prayer,” follows below. It is to be prayed after the recitation of the Hail Holy Queen, or Salve Regina.

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The Rosary Prayer

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+