Ad Jesum per te, Maria : 3/33

The Psalms of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By way of preparation for the great Feast of the Annunciation, I am re-posting a daily commentary on each of the Psalms of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. The commentary includes text published by Father Ethelred L. Taunton in 1903.

 

To read the commentary on today’s Psalm, click on the following link:

 👉    Psalm 18

Here is an excerpt:

In sole posuit tabernaculum suum : et ipse

tamquam sponsus procedens de thalamo suo

In the sun He hath set His tabernacle : and He Himself as a

Bridegroom coming forth from His chamber.

In this and the following verse the Church has, from the beginning, seen a marvellous type of the Incarnation. In the sun He hath set His tabernacle. In the literal sense, of natural objects, the sun is the best and clearest representation of the Creator. So the wise man in Ecclesiasticus : The sun when it appeareth declareth at his rising a marvellous instrument, the works of the most High. In it many nations of the earth have seen the image of the God they adore. But for us, knowing that it shall pass away and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, it is but God’s tabernacle. The true Sun is that which shall no more go down, when the Lord shall be our everlasting Light and the days of our mourning shall be ended. 

Then, in the mystical sense, the sun and the tabernacle are the Lord’s abiding in the Womb of Mary ; and the writers do not fail to quote from Ecclesiasticus that text : As the sun when it ariseth in the high heavens so is the beauty of a good wife in ordering her house. The sun is also the spotless soul of Mary shining with the splendour of her pre-eminent redemption, a meet resting place for the most High God, the tabernacle He Himself hath made holy. The tabernacle is the flesh of the Lord which was united for ever to His Divinity. Or again, as they who go out to war dwell not in houses or tents, so our Lord going forth to His war with Satan dwelt in the tabernacle of His flesh while He entered into the conflict with and when He overcame His enemy. 

As a Bridegroom cometh out of His chamber. And here none can fail to see the Lord’s entrance into the world from the Womb of Mary. The Bridegroom, hereafter to be betrothed to the Church on the Cross, came forth, as it were, in the morning of that day of which the sufferings of Calvary were the evening. The Eternal Light, says St.John of Damascus (c. 756), which, proceeding from the Co-eternal Light, had His existence before all worlds, came forth bodily from the Virgin Mary, as a Bridegroom from His chamber.

Previous Psalms

Psalm 8

Psalm 94

Prayers 

The following prayers follow the model written by St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort and are recited in preparation for the renewal of consecration* to Lord Jesus Christ our King, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on the Feast of the Annunciation. *PEEKPTEE&A

Veni Creator Spiritus [To see a translation of this hymn to the Holy Spirit, click here:  👉 Veni Creator Spiritus ]

Ave Maris Stella

 

Magnificat

 

Gloria 

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam. 

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.

Ad Jesum per te, Maria : 2/33

The Psalms of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By way of preparation for the great Feast of the Annunciation, I am re-posting a daily commentary on each of the Psalms of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. The commentary includes text published by Father Ethelred L. Taunton in 1903.

 

To read the commentary on today's Psalm, click on the following link:

 👉   Psalm 8

Previous Psalms

Psalm 94

👈 This is an image of King David, author of the Psalms, by Willem Vrelant (early 1460s), Bruges, Belgium. 

Prayers 

The following prayers follow the model written by St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort and are recited in preparation for the renewal of consecration* to Lord Jesus Christ our King, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on the Feast of the Annunciation. 

*PEEKPTEE&A

Veni Creator Spiritus [To see a translation of this hymn to the Holy Spirit, click here:  👉 Veni Creator Spiritus ]

Ave Maris Stella

 

Magnificat

 

Gloria 

+       +        +

The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam. 

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.

Ad Jesum per te, Maria : 1/33

The Psalms of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By way of preparation for the great Feast of the Annunciation in thirty-three days’ time, I am re-posting a daily commentary on each of the Psalms of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. The commentary includes text published by Father Ethelred L. Taunton in 1903.

 

To read the commentary on today’s Psalm, click on the following link:

 👉   Psalm 94

👈 This is an image of King David, author of the Psalms, by Willem Vrelant (early 1460s), Bruges, Belgium. 

Prayers 

The following prayers follow the model written by St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort and are recited in preparation for the renewal of consecration* to Lord Jesus Christ our King, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on the Feast of the Annunciation.

*Of PEEKPTEE&A

Veni Creator Spiritus [To see a translation of this hymn to the Holy Spirit, click here:  👉 Veni Creator Spiritus ]

Ave Maris Stella

 

Magnificat

 

Gloria 

+       +        +

The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam. 

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.

In Apparitione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

The Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes (1877). Virgilio Tojetti (1851–1901).

Today in 2019 I made a consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the first time, using the method of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673–1716) as found in his work True Devotion to Mary.

I renewed the consecration on the feast of the Immaculate Conception on the 8th of December 2019, including this time the members of my family.

Thereafter, the consecration has been renewed formally each year on the feast of the Annunciation, and on a daily basis using the Totus Tuus prayer below.

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per te Maria.

Laudetur Jesus Christus et Maria Immaculata. Amen.

For those desirous of reading True Devotion to Mary, here is one of several on-line sources:

True Devotion to Mary

with preparation for total consecration.

👑   👑   👑

The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. [Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-3]

In Purificatione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

Today, we commemorate the feasts of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

The Presentation in the Temple. 
J-J Tissot. Brooklyn Museum.

22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:  23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:  24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: 

25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,  28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:  29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;  30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:  32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.  33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.  34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;  35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

 

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.  37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.  38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.  39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.  40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him. [Luke ii.]

On the occasion of these two feasts, I am renewing the installation first carried out at Candlemas in 2021 which enthroned the Holy Infant Jesus in cubiculo meo.

I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles. [Ps. XXXIII. 2-5]

The basic structure of the prayers remains the same, but some additions have been made since 2021 such as:

• the Sub tuum Præsidium - said to the the oldest known prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God;
• prayers from Papa Stronsay to the Holy Chaplet, incorporating twelve scenes from the life of the Holy Infant as set out in the Rosarium Aureum;
• prayers in French to offer thanks to St Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus, to St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort & le Révèrend Père François Poiré (author of the Triple Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary);
• an offering of the prayers as une petite couronne to Our Lady;
• a prayer to the Panagia Giatrissa (All-holy Healer) and Pantocrator icon.

👑   👑   👑

The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.

In Conceptione Immaculata Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

Today is the great Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a gift to our gentle Queen and Mother, I am posting the most recent edition of an English verse translation of the last poem written by St Thérèse of Lisieux before she departed from this world in 1897.

You can read the French and my English translation of this poem by clicking on the following link:

👉  Why I love thee, O Mary

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The Vladimirskaya Icon. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.

In Memoriam Matris Meæ : 1907-1977 A.D.

On 30 November 1977, on the feast of St Andrew, patron saint of her native Scotland, my dear mother passed away after a long battle with cancer. The local priest had administered the last rites some time previously. Although she had seemed barely conscious, I could see her lips moving slightly when he had invited her to join him in saying one Hail Mary, "slowly". She received Holy Communion and she seemed then to be very much at peace. The priest (a serious, taciturn and tender-hearted man), noted that this was often the case.

✠ Requiescas in pace, mater dilectissima! ✠

Three poems

I was living in Cambridge during this sad time in 1977. For no particular reason that I can recall, I felt prompted to make the train journey across country to pay a visit to my mother in north Warwickshire. I prepared the following poem en route, not knowing that my mother would depart this world only a matter of days after my arrival. She was sitting near the fireside when I arrived, nursing a hot water bottle. I read my poem to her and I could see that she was listening intently. When I had finished, she said: 'Well, how lovely!' She then retired to her bedroom and never left her bed again before her death some days later.

Kirsty bheag is the Scots Gaelic for 'little Kirsty'. She was called 'little' to distinguish her from her mother, who was also called Kirsty. I completed the pen and ink drawing of the boat (21cm x 21cm) several years later and named it 'Kirsty' in honour of my mother. RIP.

Kirsty Bheag

Kirsty. PB

Alone sate she in soft and muted shade,
A fairy child of woodland ferns and flowers,
A slender sylph from Spring's most sacred glade,
A smiling sprite of silent, scented bowers.

Her careless hair was gold as sun-gold corn,
In breeze-blessed streams and tresses lightly flowing;
Her eyes were the smiling blue of a sky-blue morn,
Her cheeks with cheerest roses ever-glowing.

Withal a shape so supple, slim and svelte
As like a willow-sapling's lithely grace;
A light and happy spirit therein dwelt,
Whose dancing smiles did play upon her face.

Upon her lap an open book she lay,
Whose lines she scanned with fond and eager gaze;
Then 'loud the alien words she 'gan to say,
In heart to grave for all her mortal days.

Alone sate she, this darling Highland child,
In woods, in fields, by many a mountain stream;
But now in time long-lived to old age mild,
Of these her girlhood joys she doth but dream.

Envoi

Learn friends, this fairest She, she is no other
Than my own dear, beloved mother.
 © PB 1977


My mother was to suffer enormously from cancer before she died on the 30th November. As someone born in the Scottish Highlands, it was altogether fitting that she should have passed on the Feast of St Andrew. I wrote 'Curse' mindful of the echoing metre used by the witches in the "Scottish play."

Curse

Burn in Brimni's blazing bane,

Die in cruel and crazing pane!

Slowly burning, slowly maiming,

Never easing, never resting,

Bitter raw with deadly fest'ring;

Vicious jaws within thee gnawing,

Biting, ripping, tearing, savage,

These thy entrails hotly ravage.

Burn in Brimni's blazing bane,

Die in cruel and crazing pain!

© PB 1977

In this same year, my mother had already lost her first-born son (aged 44) as well as a favourite brother. This triple loss inspired the following lines.

This Weeping Year

This weeping year,

This year of ache and pain;

This heart-sore year,

This year with sorrow stain'd.

O woeful year,

Unweary of thy ever-wearing woes;

Black-visaged year,

Unyielding midst thy yield of deadly throes.

The Fates, they three,

This fated year of three,

Death-fated three

And dealt three fatally.

© PB 1977

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The Vladimirskaya Icon. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.