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, I am re-posting a daily commentary on each of the Psalms of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. The commentary was compiled by Father Ethelred L. Taunton and published 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 our family's consecration to Lord Jesus, Christ our King, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation.

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 Vladimirskaya Icon. >12th century.

I have for some time been closing my posts with a triple seal:

* the beautiful icon of the Holy Mother of God known to many as the Vladimirskaya Icon; 

* the Sub tuum præsidium, said to be the oldest prayer to Our Lady;     and

* a short prayer of consecration to the Immaculate heart of Mary.

Over the coming weeks, I shall include a short commentary on one or other of these prayers, (recalling that holy icons are traditionally said to be written rather than painted).

The Vladimirskaya Icon : Five minutes' love

    One of the earliest and most precious memories I have from my infancy is of my dear mother inviting me into her arms to have "five minutes' love." She would cradle me on her lap, her head pressed against mine, whilst rocking me in her maternal embrace. No words were spoken.

    This early memory informs and inspires a reaction to the Icon, for here surely is the Holy Infant having "five minutes' love" in His dear Mother's arms. Mary is supporting and cradling her Son, her cheek pressed tenderly* against His. No words are spoken but their eyes and posture seem to communicate powerful thoughts and feelings: heartfelt love, certainly; but also serious thoughts and sorrow, for did not Simeon say to Mary in the Temple: thy own soul a sword shall pierce...? [Luke ii. 35]  And does she not hear the cries of her children everywhere and throughout history:  To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears ? [from the Salve Regina prayer]

*This style of icon is commonly styled an Eleusa icon, from Eleousa (Greek Ἐλεούσα) – tenderness.

    

Moved by such considerations, let us present to our Gentle Queen and Mother our personal petitions in our necessities :

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.

WE fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers always Glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.