“When will the Bishops process Our Lady?

More than any other, I am asked this question concerning devotion to Our Lady of America, The Immaculate Virgin.  Often this question will be followed with a statement like: “We are so in need of the promised graces, our country is going downhill – FAST”.  Or “How much longer before it is too late?”  “Is it too late?”  A sense of frustration often comes through in the words.

Those familiar with Our Lady of America may see her promise of abundant graces of conversion as the only hope for our country.  The breakdown of society manifested in abortion, broken marriages, mass murders, offenses against the family, and the prevailing culture proclaiming that right is wrong and wrong is right are constant reminders that we have strayed far from God’s plan and as a nation are in grave jeopardy.

Frankly, I have no idea when the bishops will fulfill the final request of Our Lady that she be processed by them into the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C and be enthroned therein.  (Her other major request that a bishop have a medal struck has been fulfilled!)  It is through this act of the bishops that our country will receive the abundant graces promised by her.  I continue to pray and am very hopeful that this day will come soon!

Having been associated with promoting this devotion for 13 years it brings me great joy to see, that more than ever before, bishops are discerning with steadfast determination how this might be accomplished.  Let me say it is no easy task.

Often overlooked is that petitioning for these graces is not exclusively reserved to the bishops but is abundantly available to the faithful based on our individual and collective response to Our Lady’s requests.

In other words, there is no need to wait.

While the bishops have their specific tasks, the rest of us also have a huge role to play.  While graces for our country come in abundance by the action of our bishops, graces in abundance come to us and our families when we respond personally to her call.   These graces then extend to our communities, nation and to the bishops who Our Lady is calling to act.

We do not have to wait for the bishops to bring these graces upon us!

Clearly spelled out in the writings are Our Lady’s request of the faithful (download for free).   She wants to teach us to prepare our hearts in imitation of the Immaculate Conception:

“My child, I entrust you with this message that you must make known to my children in America. I wish it to be the country dedicated to my purity. The wonders I will work will be the wonders of the Soul. They must have faith and believe firmly in my love for them. I desire that they be the children of my Pure Heart. I desire, through my children of America, to further the cause of faith and purity among peoples and nations. Let them come to me with confidence and simplicity, and I, their Mother, will teach them to become pure like to my Heart that their own hearts may be more pleasing to the Heart of my Son.” (Our Lady of America to Sr. Mary Ephrem, September 26, 1956)

She has a very special hope for the children of America:

     “Our Lady made known to me that she is particularly interested in the youth of our nation. It is they who are to be the leaders of this movement of renewal on the face of the earth. Their ranks will be swelled by the youths of other nations whom Our Lady also calls to help in the accomplishment of this great renewal.

     But the youth must be prepared, and this must be done by instilling into them, not only the knowledge of the Divine Indwelling, but a serious study of It, living It in such a way that the Divine Presence becomes, as it were, an intimate and necessary part of their life and daily living. From this will flow a great love, a conflagration that will envelop the world in the flames of Divine Charity. This is what Our Lady is working for, because this is the great desire of her Divine Son, and it is to the youth of America that she is holding out this challenge. A medal which Our Lady asked to be made is to be their shield against evil, the picture or statue of Our Lady, the protection of the home, the statue at the Shrine in Washington, D.C., a special safeguard for our country. America, the United States in particular, is being given the tremendous, yet privileged, opportunity to lead all nations in a spiritual renewal never before so necessary, so important, so vital.” (Our Lady of America to Sr. Mary Ephrem, February 11, 1958)

Our Lady is clearly inviting us to live this devotion to fulfill her plan.  Even if the bishops had already processed her, it would still be ours to fulfill her requests.   It is as much on us as it is on our bishops!

In addition to our personal response to Our Lady, she is calling us to spread her call.  To help you do this we have a few things to help:

1. Prayer cards are made available free of charge.
2. The message booklet can be downloaded free of charge.
3. The image of Our Lady of America can be downloaded free of charge
4. The medal is once again available for a nominal donation.

You may order or download at our site.

Let’s do our part now so that Our Lady is honored and her plan can come to fruition.  I am confident that the bishops will do their part as well.