How to Strive for life of loveliness – the Immaculate Heart of Mary

I recently started praying the 54-Day Rosary Novena for a very special intention. The idea is to pray a regular rosary every day for 27 days, asking for your petition. Then, for the remaining 27 days, you give prayers of Thanksgiving, even if your petition has not been granted yet. The rosary prayers are the same, with a few differences. I’m using the Hallow App. It begins the rosary with a Hail Mary and then a special novena prayer before reciting the Creed. At the end of each decade, there is a special prayer. It asks for a special virtue, like patience or humility.

I’m up to Day 20. It occurred to me that all of these virtues mentioned in the novena prayers combine to create an immaculate heart like Mary’s. It is why we honor her on this special feast day.

These virtues include virtues like charity, humility, and detachment from worldly things. Concentrating on these requests as a pray for my intention have given me a new appreciation for the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

My friend, the late Jean Heimann has an excellent article. It covers the meaning and the history of this feast honoring our lady. See that here.

Ways to Celebrate

1. Go to Mass.
2. Say the Rosary
3. Prayer for the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
4. Visit a Marian Shrine, or make your own!
5. Any Marian feast day is a good day for a white dinner (chicken or fish or pasta) with white cake for desert.