Lest we forget, today is also the feast of Our Lady of Pontmain. See what I wrote about Pontmain last year here. During the apparition at Pontmain, the faithful sang the Inviolata, an 11th century prose to the Blessed Virgin Mary:
INVIOLATA, integra, et casta es Maria,
quae es effecta fulgida caeli porta.
INVIOLATE, spotless and pure art thou,
O Mary Who wast made the radiant gate of the King.
O Mater alma Christi carissima,
suscipe pia laudum praeconia.
Holy mother of Christ most dear,
receive our devout hymn and praise.
Te nunc flagitant devota corda et ora,
nostra ut pura pectora sint et corpora.
Our hearts and tongues now ask of thee
that our souls and bodies may be pure.
Tu per precata dulcisona,
nobis concedas veniam per saecula.
By thy sweet sounding prayers
obtain for us forgiveness forever.
O benigna! O Regina! O Maria,
quae sola inviolata permansisti.
O gracious queen, O Mary,
who alone among women art inviolate.
His Excellency, Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma has given
Father Mark a special mandate to live under the Rule of Saint Benedict in adoration before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, offering thanksgiving, intercession, and reparation for all his
brothers in Holy Orders. In this way, Father is preparing the foundation of the new Diocesan Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle. Father Mark is available to the
priests and deacons of the Diocese for spiritual and sacramental support in their pursuit of holiness. He is also charged with the spiritual formation of women who desire to dedicate themselves to spiritual motherhood in favour of priests.
Thank you for the reminder!