How the Virgin Mary Blessed the United States

http://www.aleteia.org ^ | March 13, 2015 | Fr. Joseph Esper

[NKP_Vet]

I was recently given a fascinating little book called American History You Never Learned; it contains much information showing that the discovery of the New World, and the founding of our nation, occurred within a direct context of divine guidance and blessing. In particular, Our Lady (who, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, is still today our national patroness) played an important role in the establishment of the United States.

For instance: The earliest explorers of North America—sent by the Catholic king of Norway in the 14th century—left behind a carving in modern-day Minnesota in what became known as the Kensington Stone. Dated 1362, it read: “Hail Virgin Mary; save us from evil” (making it the oldest historical record found in the U. S.).

Christopher Columbus dedicated his voyage of discovery to Mary, changing the name of his flagship from Gallega to Santa Maria, and led the crews of all three vessels in hymns to Our Lady each evening. Upon discovering the island of San Salvador (named after the Savior), Columbus and his men went ashore and sang the Salve Regina in Our Lady’s honor; they taught the natives there the Ave Maria (“Hail Mary”) and other Catholic prayers.

Columbus’ three ships were named the Santa Maria (“Saint Mary”), the Pinta (“Paint”), and Nina (“Girl”)–which, put together in a sentence, reads “Holy Mary paints girl.” This refers to the miraculous event which occurred 49 years later, when Mary “painted” an image of herself as a young Indian maiden on St. Juan Diego’s tilma, or cloak—a scientifically-inexplicable image of Our Lady of Guadalupe which still exists in all its beauty today, and which prompted the conversion of nine million Mexican Indians to Catholicism in just one decade’s time.

The French explorer Fr. Jacques Marquette named the greatest river in North America the “River of the Immaculate Conception” (though its name was later changed to the Mississippi). The Spanish and French introduced Catholicism to many Native Americans, but the One True Faith wasn’t welcome in the English colonies. Catholic settlers established themselves in Maryland (the first colony to allow freedom of religion); they were able to name their colony after Our Lady only because they claimed to be honoring the English Queen Henrietta Maria.

It’s believed Our Lady’s intervention may have saved the life of General George Washington on several occasions; it’s also recorded that she encouraged him at the most trying time of the American Revolution, appearing to him at his headquarters in Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777-78. He later described her as a “woman of singular beauty,” and related how she said, “Son of the Republic, look and learn!” In the vision of the future he was then given, Washington saw the colonies take root and thrive, only to be fiercely attacked and dreadfully scourged on three different occasions—the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and a future conflict (World War III?) still to take place.

Has the United States remained true to its founding ideals? In particular, are Jesus and His Mother afforded a place of honor in our nation’s culture, politics, and economy? The answer to these questions is obviously a negative one—and so you and I are called to pray, fast, and sacrifice for the moral and spiritual renewal of the United States, and for the mitigation or prevention of any future war involving our country (a very appropriate theme for the remainder of Lent). America is still very dear to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart; our Heavenly Mother will gladly obtain her Son’s blessing and protection for our homeland, if only enough of us humbly beseech her for this grace.

Reverend Joseph M. Esper is a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit and pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Anchorville, Michigan. He is the author of numerous books, including Saintly Solutions, More Saintly Solutions, After the Darkness, Lessons from the Lives of the Saints, and Why Is God Punishing Me? In addition to Amazon, many of his most recent books are available through Queenship Publishing. This article was first published on Catholic Journal.

[DungeonMaster]

Obama says Islam has been woven into American fabric since the beginning. Some crazy claims being made.

[DungeonMaster]

Goddess?

[StormPrepper]

Well; since your Living Prophet® did NOT actually get to join the Methodist Church as he tried (after being told they were ALL bad) the very LEAST that could happen is to have JW appear to warn him away from the religion he was starting.

John Wesley appeared to President Wilford Woodruff. Not President Joseph Smith Jr.

And President Joseph Smith Jr. did not in reality try to join the Methodist church. Did not happen. Joseph Lewis, 59 years after the first vision mind you, tried to claim he did. There's no record of that ever happening.

I have no doubt that Joseph Smith Jr. attended a Methodist service or two considering that his wife, Emma's family were Methodist. Her family included Methodist ministers too.

[Syncro]

Number #4! Catching loons here is easier than fishing with dynamite.

So do you agree with the respected Church Fathers and experts about Mary?

Or are you just interested in making PERSONAL attacks on other Free Republic members by making a list of those who post the Biblical Truth and who quote the highly esteemed Catholics Fathers/experts' controversial writings and utterances?

Why don't you gather together all of those on your list and ping the Religion Moderator?

[RetiredArmy]

Because the Bible said all DIE once. She died. She is in the grave. Her soul is in heaven. She is NOT sitting at the right hand of God, only Christ is. She ain’t appearing to people. That is demonic demons doing that. Not true Mary. Mary has nothing to do with salvation. The Bible MAKES IT CLEAR that ONLY through Jesus Christ do you get to heaven. Not through Mary.

[Syncro]

Wow that is amazing!

And here I have been using non-toxic (to humans) “green” bug spray on my vegetables (aphids LOVE broccoli) but I can just put up a sign that says “Mary please keep the bugs off of my garden plants” and that will work?

[Syncro]

Unfortunately the true Gospel wasn't on the earth during his time

The Gospel message is Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Jesus is first spoken of in Genesis (the first book of the Old Testament) and He is The Word.

The Gospel message was understood quite completely by old Testament men and women of God and they were saved by their faith in the coming Messiah.

The true Gospel has been here since the beginning of time.

As one poster is fond of saying to non-Catholics posting truth about Jesus and quoting scriptures for edification, "Do you have a Bible?" in a very condescending way. (What more do "SEPERATED" brethren deserve? "Second tier" not-as-good-as-Catholics Christians?)

[Syncro]

I’m talking about being a member of the Roman Catholic Church, which he probably was not.

LOL everybody is Catholic, even Jesus!

One of the most prolific Catholic expert posters said so right here on FR.

[StormPrepper]

[SP]Elsie, since you belong to a Wesleyan church, you should follow John Wesley all the way.

[Elsie]Thanks for telling me what I ought to do.

[Elsie cut and paste job]In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.


I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

Ezra Taft Benson

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University) http://www.lds.org/liahona/1981/06/fourteen-fundamentals-in-following-the-prophet?lang=eng

Obviously that old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." is true. Isn't it?

You read words of truth, but can't come to the knowledge of the truth.

Would you say the list that President Benson gave, which you pasted above, is true when describing the two prophets to come as spoken of by Rev 11?

[goodwithagun]

Your girlfriend is ugly.

[Syncro]

Oh man, who dresses up a skeleton like that?

With thousands of dollars worth of jewelry?

That would help a lot of poor people if the jewelry was sold it would help The Kingdom of God.

Your girlfriend is ugly.

Wow, how funny and cleaver!

Wanna comment on some of the posts about the issues raised, or just keep up with the personal digs/comments?

[DungeonMaster]

Bernadine: …all gifts, all virtues, and all graces are dispensed by the hands of Mary to whomsoever, when, and as she pleases. O Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces, and since the grace of salvation can ONLY come through thy hands, OUR SALVATION DEPENDS ON THEE.

Bonaventure: …the gates of heaven will open to all who confide in the protection of Mary. Blessed are they who know thee, O Mother of God, for the knowledge of THEE is the high road to everlasting life, and the publication of thy virtues is the way of ETERNAL SALVATION . Give ear, O ye nations; and all you who desire heaven , serve, honor Mary, and certainly you will find ETERNAL LIFE.

Ephem: …devotion to the divine Mother…is the unlocking of the heavenly Jerusalem.

Blosius: To the, O Lady, are committed the KEYS and the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven.

Ambrose: …constantly pray ‘Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since thou hast its KEYS.

Fulgetius: …by Mary God descended from Heaven into the world, that by HER man might ascend from earth to Heaven.

Athanasius: …And, thou, O Lady, wast filled with grace, that thou mightiest be the way of our SALVATION and the means of ascent to the heavenly Kingdom.

Richard of Laurence: Mary, in fine, is the mistress of heaven; for there she commands as she wills, and ADMITS whom she wills.

Guerric: …he who serves Mary and for whom she intercedes, is as CERTAIN of heaven as if he were already there…and those who DO NOT serve Mary will NOT BE SAVED.

Anselm: It suffices, O Lady, that thou willest it, and our SALVATION is certain.

Antoninus: …souls protected by Mary, and on which she casts her eyes, are NECESSARILY JUSTIFIED AND SAVED.

So is this posted to make the point that Mary is worshipped or to make the point that Mary should be venerated?

[Elsie]

apparently!

http://www.stjudenovena.org/howtopublish.html

[Elsie]

Would you say the list that President Benson gave, which you pasted above, is true when describing the two prophets to come as spoken of by Rev 11?

No.

Mormon Living Prophets® is what Benson is prattling about here; NOT biblical ones.

Surely you know that.

[Elsie]

Well; she’s a guy. (Jake from State FArm)

[Elsie]

So is this posted to make the point that Mary is worshipped or to make the point that Mary should be venerated?

Or maybe that ADORATION/Veneration has jumped the tracks a bit...

I report: you decide.

[boatbums]

Does it make you feel better to just presume everyone who doesn't agree with you does so because they are "loons"? I'm curious why exposing fraudulent "facts" in a story causes such angst. Isn't that a GOOD thing seeing as most people wouldn't want to promote lies?

You may want to stay on the Caucus theads, they are much less likely to bring out ones bad side.

"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER ' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matthew 5:21,22)

[boatbums]

Sounds like Mormons are equally as gullible.

[boatbums]

Pretty little girl you’re just having fun
You’re running all around and breaking lover’s hearts
Pretty little girl, I don’t stand a chance
Without any money there goes our romance
She always wears charms, diamonds, pearls galore
She buys them at the 5 and 10 cents store
She wants to be just like Zsa Zsa Gabor
Even though she’s the girl next door

[terycarl]

Because the Bible said all DIE once.

What happened to the at least two deaths of Lazarus and all those who rose from their tombs during the crucifxion??