A Deo et Rege

A Prayer to Our Lady for the New Year

Blessed Mother of Consolation, guide me through your loving prayers as I begin this new year. Remain close to me as I continue this earthly pilgrimage, moving through my time in this world toward a life with our Father, the true goal of every pilgrim.

Help me to move into this new year without fear or anxiety, rather with trust and openness to the many wonderful graces our Father gives us in each and every one of our years here upon earth.

Dear Mary, be with me and guide me to live my life of faith as you lived your life, ever in the presence of our Father, ever accepting His will, always living that will completely. Help me to touch those around me as you would touch them, with gentleness and calm, with understanding and patience. Guide me to help those near me who are in need as you would help them, giving completely of what I am, what I have received of God.

Pray for me each and every day of this new year, that I might live my life in the example of your beloved Son, our Lord. I truly desire to live as Christ taught us to live, to proclaim through my life His message of understanding and love.

Our Father has given us another year, dear Mary. I know in my heart of the endless wealth of this gift. Be with me each day, as I turn, full of hope, to my Father and say as you have said in your life, "be it done unto me according to Your Word."

Amen

Prayer from "A Pilgrim’s Prayer Book by Brother Jeffrey Hines, OFM Conv.
Photo by Jonathan Bennett (meant to virtually provide the view from the shrine kneeler)

Today I ventured to Carey, Ohio once again to visit the
National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation. This is a very special place for me, as a quick glance under the category "Catholic, Shrines" will show (on sidebar or bottom of this post). Last time, I went to join their confraternity; today I went to ask Our Lady’s intercessions for physical healing.

David, Jennifer, and I left somewhat early and naturally stopped at Speedway beforehand. The trip up was nice and on the way we stopped and looked at the Pontifical College Josephinum, the only seminary in the US under direct Vatican control. Surprisingly it’s located in Columbus, Ohio. Go figure.

When we arrived in Carey, we were disappointed to find that the bookstore was closed. However, they were doing devotions at least, which was the main reason we visited. We went into the main church building and I was shocked and I mean shocked: the shrine was completely decked out for Christmas. Granted my experience with Catholic parishes is somewhat limited, but this was the most beautiful example of Christmas decorating I’d ever seen! They had greenery everywhere, much of it lighted. They had (at my count) 10 lighted Christmas trees in the main shrine area alone. As someone who loves God, Mary, Christmas and shrines, I was in heaven.

I took some pictures, but mainly focused on prayer and devotion since I was here for spiritual reasons. Devotions started at 2:30pm and were awesome. They began with a rosary; then Fr. John-Raphael (Conventual Franciscan) gave an excellent homily on the
Blessed Mother. Next, they had Eucharistic adoration with the Divine Praises. Finally, they ended with a healing service that included being touched with a relic of the true cross.

After this, I took out the handy pilgrimage booklet and visited each altar, petitioning God and asking various Saints and the Blessed Mother to entreat our Lord on my behalf. I finally said my farewells to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, knowing that I have a loving Mother to intercede on my behalf to her all-powerful Son.

Before I left I filled up 6 bottles of holy water. No, they’re not all for me! However, I like to have physical reminders of my visits. No Gnosticism for me, thanks. On the way home we looked at many Christmas lights and God’s natural lights in some amazing sunsets. I just wish Carmel would’ve been here. Next year for sure!

If you’re ever in the Carey, Ohio area (somewhat close to Toledo and Columbus) and are a devoted Catholic, I highly recommend you visit.

Photos of the shrine by Jonathan Bennett. The real beauty comes from others; I just try to capture a glimpse of it.

First, I’d like to wish all my readers a Happy New Year! May 2006 be a wonderful time for all of you!

Second, I’d like to wish all of you a happy solemnity of the Mother of God. It starts the new year off right to recognize the Motherhood of the one who bore the Son of God.

Third, I’d like to ask your prayers as I travel to the Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. Without going into detail, I may need surgery in February and pray that through God’s grace and our Lady’s intercession I won’t. Thanks.