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Drawing Close to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary The Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Mother of God, is a figure as central in our Institute as she is in the mystery of the Epiphany. The Three Holy Kings found the Child with his mother. She is a real mother. She is the mother. She is the true Mother of God and our mother. She brings us to Jesus, gives birth to him in our souls, and fosters his growth as our true spiritual mother. She guides us. She feeds us. She teaches us. She protects and corrects us. She constantly reminds us, “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn. 2:5). As both virginal mother, she is the model for both the married and celibate members of Miles Jesu. From her we learn the dispositions necessary not only for grace, but for God to do great things in us: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word” (Lk.1:38 ). Her Immaculate Heart represents that ineffable love that she bears for her Divine Son, and because of him, the love she bears for us, the children born from the sorrows they willingly offered, united, as it were, on the cross. We invoke her help and protection privately and publicly in all our needs. As a private devotion to her, St. Anthony Mary Claret used to have her heart painted on her statues, when this was not already a common practice. The members of Miles Jesu recognize the unique role Almighty God has given her in the plan of salvation, and rejoice in the gift of her spiritual motherhood. Therefore, in every degree of membership we consecrate ourselves, “Through and in the Immaculate Heart of the Most Blessed Mother of God and our mother in total surrender, consecration and dedication to God.” There are several practices by which we live out this consecration on a daily basis. One such practice is the faithful recitation of her Rosary. “The Rosary,” our Constitutions say, “has a prevalent place in our spirituality.” We also make a Marian examination of conscience every night, examining whether we have “kept her in the background of our thoughts all day.” This examination of conscience can be found in the Epiphany Prayer Book. We put Mary into everything we say and do. Many members write “Ave Cor Mariae” (Hail Heart of Mary) at the top of their letters or pages of work in order to consecrate it to her and commend it to her intercession and protection. Many of the members consecrate themselves to her on their knees at their bedside every morning and night. Friday, June 15th is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Following this Feast, on Saturday, June 16th, is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These are special days for the members of Miles Jesu, since we are “Sons and Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady of the Epiphany.” In a mysterious way, each member of Miles Jesu has heard and answered the call to follow Jesus Christ through the tender promptings of the heart of Mary, the heart of the Mother of God. Let’s not leave our hearts empty or think that spirituality is just a series of laws or dead letters in a book. Let’s follow the path of love. Love God. Fall in love with our Lord. Pray for that grace. Meditate on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and on the infinite mystery of the love of God, the infinite God who became a man to be equal to us, of our same stock. Ask him to draw you close to his heart. Ask the Immaculate Heart of Mary to reveal the heart of her son to you, for no one is closer to the Heart of Jesus than the Immaculate Heart of Mary. |