Mary,
Spiritual Vessel
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"Blessed is she who has believed, because the things promised her by
the Lord shall be accomplished"
(Luke 1,45).
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This rosary captures the colors of Our Lady's tunic when she
appeared to the Indian, Juan Diego, at Tepeyac. The Aves are 8mm cloisonne of soft rose, with
gently scrolling floral design. The 12mm cloisonne Paters feature a vivid floral
pattern. The rosary is joined with a bronze Loreto centerpiece --- a Via Rosa exclusive: Our
Lady of Loreto (shown) on on side, and the
House of Loreto
on the obverse. The rosary is completed with 2" bronze crucifix.
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Litany of Loreto Rosaries
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Spiritual Vessel (Shrine of the Spirit)
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Mary is the "Vas Spirituale," the Spiritual Vessel
by Cardinal Newman
To
be spiritual is to live in the world of spirits—as St. Paul says, "Our conversation is
in Heaven." To be spiritually-minded is to see by faith all those good and holy beings who
actually surround us, though we see them not with our bodily eyes; to see them by faith as vividly as
we see the things of earth—the green country, the blue sky, and the brilliant sunshine. Hence it is
that, when saintly souls are favoured with heavenly visions, these visions are but the extraordinary
continuations and the crown, by a divine intuition, of objects which, by the ordinary operation of
grace, are ever before their minds.
These visions consoled and strengthened the Blessed Virgin in all her sorrows.
The Angels who were around her understood her, and she understood them, with a directness which is not
to be expected in their intercourse with us who have inherited from Adam the taint of sin. Doubtless;
but still let us never forget that as she in her sorrows was comforted {55} by Angels, so it is our
privilege in the many trials of life to be comforted, in our degree, by the same heavenly messengers
of the Most High; nay, by Almighty God Himself, the third Person of the Holy Trinity, who has taken on
Himself the office of being our Paraclete, or Present Help.
Let all those who are in trouble take this comfort to themselves, if they are
trying to lead a spiritual life. If they call on God, He will answer them. Though they have no earthly
friend, they have Him, who, as He felt for His Mother when He was on the Cross, now that He is in His
glory feels for the lowest and feeblest of His people.
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Spiritual Vessel
The noun “vessel” imperfectly expresses the
intended meaning of this advocation. The Latin “vas” (vessel) is used to
translates the Greek term “skeuos” which does not only mean vessel but also instrument or
tool. Thus, the expression “spiritual vessel” should be rendered as “instrument of
the Holy Spirit." Mary is both dwelling place of the Spirit and his “agent” in
the Incarnation. “With and through the Holy Spirit, the Virgin conceives and gives birth
to the Son of God” (CCC 723).
The imagery of this advocation highlights this
idea. The caption accompanying the symbol of the Spirit refers to the promise of the
Annunciation. The Spirit will overshadow you. Mary answers the Trinity in the words
of 4 Esdr. (4:14), “If I have found grace with you, send your Spirit into me. ” The
picture of Mary expresses both humility (her answer to God) and grandeur (scepter in the form of
a lily). The table covered with various vessels underscores the fact that Mary is the most
exquisite of God’s vessels. She is a “vessel for a noble purpose” (Romans 9:21).
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Vas Spirituale
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