News from the Missionary Image of
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
July 2, 2011
Dear Friend of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
As Christ’s heart was pierced on the Cross in death, Mary’s heart was pierced in spirit, fulfilling the words of St. Luke and showing the unique mystical union of the heart of Jesus with the heart of Mary in the work of our redemption. As Mary conceived the heart of Jesus beneath her own heart at the Annunciation, so too was this union consummated when both hearts were immolated for our salvation on Calvary. This union of the Two Hearts continues to offer salvation and sanctification to mankind today.
On December 8, 1942, Venerable Pope Pius XII solemnly consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On May 4, 1944, he extended the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the Universal Church. With the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council in 1969, the Feast was given a more suitable place on the day following the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Blessed Pope John Paul II consecrated the world and every nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1982, and repeated this act in union with all the Catholic Bishops again in 1983.
Venerable Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the whole Church so as to obtain by her intercession “peace among nations, freedom for the Church, the conversion of sinners, the love of purity and the practice of virtue.”
Today more than ever our world needs “the love of purity and the practice of virtue” to end the Culture of Death and the apathy of mankind. Today we stand at the foot of the Cross with Mary, offering ourselves as instruments of peace and purity.
The love that Mary had for Jesus took root and grew in her heart becoming a living faith, a living love; faith in action as her perfect response to His will. Out of love, Mary shared in the saving sufferings of her Son. As souls consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we pray that our faith may become a living witness of the love of Jesus and Mary for all people. We too share in the work of redemption through our love and our sufferings.
We must have the courage and zeal to boldly proclaim, without apology, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church. We have been given the great theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. We have nothing to fear, but simply to step forward and be a voice for Him.
You can do this by helping us to continue the Visitations of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of America. By hosting a parish or home Visitation, you will be sharing your faith in Jesus and Mary and the Catholic Church. You will be spreading hope to those who join you in the prayers and veneration of the Images. You will be showing great charity to those who have not yet come to know the love of God. We receive many reports from Visitations of signs, wonders, healings and conversions.
If you are unable to host a Visitation, you can still help me to promote Visitations with your prayers and financial support. Without your help, the Visitations cannot continue. You may mail me your donation or make it securely at our website www.JKMI.com. Will you help me today with a generous gift? Summertime is our leanest time of year because many of you are seeking well-deserved vacations and rejuvenation. Please remember us this summer as we rely solely on your help! And please keep us in your prayers!
If you are older than 70 and a half, you may now make tax-free transfers of up to $100,000 from an IRA to the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe Inc. for the 2011 tax year. Gifts can be made until December 31, 2011 as part of the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2010. These fulfill some or all of the required minimum distribution without increasing taxable income. Please confirm this with your accountant.
We remember your intentions in our daily prayers and Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe, our weekly holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament and in our special monthly Masses.
Your help has been invaluable to us. Thank you. May the Immaculate Heart of Mary watch over you and your loved ones.
In her Heart,
Dan Lynch