Nov 14th - Our Lady of the Grotto, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus- No Greater Delight

Celebrations In Lamego, Portgual, Our Lady of the Grotto: the chapel of Our Lady of the Grotto is found carved into the rock, at a place where an image of Our Lady had been found.[1] In 1935, Montevago, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, The Madonna of Grace (Madonna della Grazie): the canonical crowning of a painting of the Madonna with Child. In Bologna, Italy, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: this image, with Mary holding the Child Jesus who has a small Sacred Heart on His chest, has a history of popular devotions. The date of November 14th was approved by Pius IX.[2] Meditation: In the Second Vatican Council’s document, Lumen Gentium, there is a beautiful passage about Mary. We read that Mary “occupies a place in the Church which is the highest after Christ and also closest to us” (54). Explaining this, Pope Saint John Paul II said: “The highest place: we must discover this lofty position granted to Mary in the mystery of salvation. However, it is a question of a vocation totally in relationship to Christ. The place closest to us: our life is profoundly influenced by Mary's example and intercession. Nonetheless we must ask ourselves about our effort to be close to her. The entire teaching of salvation history invites us to look to the Virgin. Christian asceticism in every age invites us to think of her as a model of perfect adherence to the Lord's will. The chosen model of holiness, Mary guides the steps of believers on their journey to heaven. Through her closeness to the events of our daily history, Mary sustains us in trials; she encourages us in difficulty, always pointing out to us the goal of eternal salvation. Thus her role as Mother is seen ever more clearly: Mother of her Son Jesus, tender and vigilant Mother to each one of us, to whom, from the Cross, the Redeemer entrusted her, that we might welcome her as children in faith.”[3]  [1] Orsini – Barthe – Hahn, The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 554; https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/our-lady-of-the-grotto-lamego.html [2] https://immaculate.one/la-madonna-del-giorno-24-novembre-nostra-signora-del-s-cuore-di-gesu-bologna-italia/ [3] https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/marys-place-is-highest-after-christ-8026