Monday, August 21, 2017

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE ASSUMPTION


THE ASSUMPTION

And yet tradition tells us Mary travelled far
In the uncounted years that afterwards ensued
And where she went, her work was on a par
With that of the apostles - full of good
Exhaustedly she pulled out from the fray
They laid her also in a stony tomb
And also thought her bones were there to stay
In that quiet, gloomy, subterranean room
When Thomas sadly visited her grave,
Tears in his eyes, to bid her soul farewell
They found no trace of Mother Mary, save
A sheaf of lilies freshly blooming still
The swords of Simeon's prophecy together numbered seven
And Mary will forevermore as queen reign over heaven
Amen!

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE RESURRECTION



THE RESURRECTION

Within hours to defeat the Sabbath's onset
Mary's Son was buried in the grave
Belonging to another Joseph than that
One Who had in the manger first him laid
A broken Mary stumbled from the tomb
John the Beloved took her sunburnt arm
Her other hand and arm reached for her womb
Saint John resolved to save her from all harm
The third day Mary visited the place
To find that Christ had risen from the dead
When meeting, did Mother and Son embrace?
We're sure, although the Bible never said
Patiently caring for the apostle John
She stayed behind, left Christ her Son scale heaven on His own

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE WAY OF THE CROSS


THE WAY OF THE CROSS

The truth of Simeon's prophetic words
In Jerusalem horribly came to pass
All over Galilee the news was heard
That Jesus through betrayal captured was
Pilate washed his hands in hoped for innocence
Where now were those who had so lately praised?
Masses of people showed their ignorance
Grim heads were tossed and threatening fists were raised
With nails his hands and feet were cruelly pierced
The salty blood from thorn crown blinded his eyes
After three hours of intolerable tears
The Son of God, the Son of Mary, died
Taken down from the Cross he on her knees was laid
With Mary at his burial but three or four friends prayed

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM


JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM

While Christ preached and taught the following three years
His mother stayed in Nazareth alone
In private she was filled with hideous fears:
When would the sword of Simeon be drawn?
In his hometown's synagogue our dear Saviour taught
They shouted him down for to call on him shame
He fled from their midst, bringing Mary distraught
Henceforth to Nazareth seldom they came
One day the news spread he'd been publicly praised
Seated on a donkey, he'd entered Jerusalem
Folks waving palms a holy uproar raised
He simply smiled, blessed and acknowledged them
"Blessed is He Who comes in the Lord's Name," they sang
In heaven and on earth the holy echoes rang


Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: MARY WAITS OUTSIDE


MARY WAITS OUTSIDE

It was established Christ loved Mary best
The day the Cana miracle took place
But afterwards he put her to the test
Until the smile of joy had left her face
Not one word of protest Mary uttered
The day he preached while she waited outside
"Your mother and brothers are waiting", they muttered
But the tidings by him were denied
"Who are my mother and brothers?" He demanded
"Those who obey God's will upon the earth."
In this way Mary knew she'd been commanded
Humbly to wait outside for Him she'd birthed
Yet a woman in the gathering did audibly think:
"Blessed's the womb that bore you, the paps that gave you drink."

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE WEDDING AT CANA


THE WEDDING AT CANA

Concerning twenty-one years Scripture's silent
And about Saint Joseph, its writing speak no more
Tradition tells his death was far from violent
His dear soul simply slipped out from their door
Since Jesus and Mary were left on their own
At the start of the Lord's public life
It accordingly chanced that the two were alone
When the wedding at Cana arrived
The wine had run out and the bridegroom felt shy
"Please help them," of Christ Mary asked
He demurred, refusing: "It's not yet my time,"
But: "Do as He says: Fill the casks."
Christ's earliest public miracle occurred at Mary's request
It illustrated to the world that He loved His mother best

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: JESUS IS FOUND IN THE TEMPLE


JESUS IS FOUND IN THE TEMPLE

The Bible is silent about the next six years
Of Jesus' life with his father and mother
There were sorrows and joys, laughter and tears
Love reigned in their little home as in none other
Pece continued till Christ was twelve years old
And with His parents to Jerusalem travelled
The Pasch was celebrated with reverence untold
Neither parent going home, at his absence cavilled
Early in the evening the child's loss was discovered
Back in Jerusalem they searched high and low
"How is it you sought me?" Christ asked when recovered
"My Father's affairs must come first as you know."
For the next twenty-one years they were seldom apart
But Mary bore the imprint of the child's loss on her heart

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT


THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

But seeking Herod did not harm the Lord
An angel ordered Joseph in a dream
To take the mother and the Child, God's Word,
And flee to Egypt's land and its Nile stream
It wasn't easy for the family
To travel such a distance O so long
And to make matters worse, the holy three
Were unfamiliar with the Egyptian tongue
Later in Egypt they eventually learned
that Herod the King died at last
"Pack, Mary!" said Joseph, as always concerned
to wipe out the hurts of the past
The family arrived back in Nazareth's fold
When Jesus, the Son of God, was six years old

Luky Whittle

DUBLIN; CATHOLIC YOUTH ADULTS CONFERENCE 2 - 3 SEPTEMBER 2017. WHY NOT GO?


CATHOLIC YOUTH ADULTS CONFERENCE (AGES 18 - 40)
at
ALL HALLOWS COLLEGE, DUBLIN
2 - 3 SEPTEMBER

2 DAYS
NON-RESIDENTIAL, 50 EURO
RESIDENTIAL; 80 EURO
(all meals included)

CONTACT AS ABOVE

Seen on billboard, reproduction of public domain advertising
With thanks to Legion of Mary project

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE VISIT OF THE THREE KINGS


THE VISIT OF THE THREE KINGS

The holy Family living in the stable
Received a ceremonial visit from three kings
Who brought them from their homes gifts they were able
To pack on camels' backs with other things
A blazing star had led them from the East
Their presents were of incense, myrrh and gold
Incense was for deity, myrrh for demise
the gold for His kingship of old
King Herod had asked them to show him the place
Where Jesus the King might be seen
But, warned by an angel, they left without trace
No single sign left where they'd been
King Herod in his rage lost every shred of sense
And Rachel's wails resounded as he killed the Innocents

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE


THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE

In keeping with the teaching of the Jews
They took the infant to Jerusalem
A gift of sparrows all that they could choose
To offer to the Lord awaiting them
The temple's ancient handmaid met them there
She gave the highest honour to the Lord
And saintly Simeon warned the Virgin fair
A sword would pierce her tender mother's heart
Destroying the hopes every young mother holds,
He prophetically tore them apart,
Throughout her long life she recalled he foretold
That her future showed pain on its chart
For thirty years she bravely struggled through
until the dreaded prophecy came true

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE BIRTH OF THE INFANT JESUS


THE BIRTH OF THE INFANT JESUS

In Bethlehem, confronted with a welter
Of registering people all looking for room,
Saint Joseph and Mary could not find shelter
Though signs indicated the Child would come soon
After some hours Mary, no longer able
To search for lodgings, was forced to give birth
It was in a rough, dirty Bethlehem stable
The Lord of the heavens was welcomed on earth
His foster father laid Him in a manger
Since there was no room for them in the inn
Shepherds and angels kept them from all danger
And tended to them in this world of sin
The heavenly choirs of angels sang the Gloria
As birds of earth chirruped Ave Maria

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE MARRIAGE OF MARY


THE MARRIAGE OF MARY

March and her carpenter had wed
Joseph was making the little Lord's cradle
"A beautiful couple," the Nazarenes said
Mary cleaned house and kept a good table
The birth date of her little Son drew near
All the Baby's clothes were ready made
But Mary could not hide a pang of fear
What would the neighbours say about the date?
Caesar Augustus saved the day for them
Proclaiming registration in each town
David their ancestor was from Bethlehem
With Mary on a donkey they went down
From neighbours' busy tongues the bride was saved
As Joseph and Mary the cold snowstorms braved

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE VISITATION



THE VISITATION

"Your cousin is pregnant," the angel had said
So off to Ain Karim the Virgin went
In caravan by unseen angels led
At night her bed was covered by a tent
When Elizabeth saw Mary, the child in her leapt
"Blessed art thou among women", she exclaimed
Mary embraced her - the two women wept
"The good Lord is mighty, holy His Name!"
For three months together, laughing and weeping
Praising the Lord in His mercy and bounty
Sewing and cooking or dusting and sweeping
Sharing their joys in Ain Karim county
Assisted by Mary, the small Baptist came
On a slate Zachary wrote that John was his name

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: AN ANGEL ALLAYS JOSEPH'S FEARS



AN ANGEL ALLAYS JOSEPH'S FEARS

When Joseph discovered his affianced bride
Was with child though no father was named,
He decided quietly to put Mary aside
Divorce her in private to hide her from shame
At night sleep eluded, he tossed and he turned
What man had betrayed her? the carpenter thought,
Despite disillusionment, sorely he yearned
She'd always keep wearing the ring he had bought
An angel came to Joseph in a dream
And put his mind at rest: "The Child's from God."
A stone rolled off his heart, a loving stream
Of care for Mary's child its absence brought
Rejoicing that the Infant had not been from man conceived
The carpenter Saint Joseph was unutterably relieved

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL COMES TO MARY


THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL COMES TO MARY

Gabriel the Archangel to Nazareth came
While Mary was alone and solitary
The angel called the Virgin by the name
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord's with thee."
"Fear not" he added as she shrank aside
"the Lord of Hosts selected you of yore
as daughter of Father, of Spirit the bride,
and mother of Son evermore
"I do not know man," Mary, wondering, said
"The Holy Spirit will o'ershadow you
Manless, you'll be mother, although you're unwed
Your cousin Elizabeth is pregnant too."
Mary joyously the memory stored
"Behold," she said, "the handmaid of the Lord."

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: MARY'S BETROTHAL


MARY'S BETROTHAL

Mary was fifteen, her heart lifted high
Watching the carpenter plying his trade
From her young soul came a diffident sigh
that he too might love her, she earnestly prayed
The carpenter had noticed all along
That little maiden, pious, Temple-trained,
And in his humble heart he heard a song
Of love for Mary, tuneful yet restrained
Her eyes sparkled joyfully and Yes! she said
To his meek proposal soft-spoken
And tender Saint Joseph presented the maid
With a ring of their love a true token
When it fitted her finger she felt very glad
"I'll wear this ring for evermore." she said.

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: MARY BECOMES A TEMPLE MAIDEN


MARY BECOMES A TEMPLE MAIDEN

It was the yearning of the parent pair
That Mary might become a Temple maid
The training she would be receiving there
That it might make her holy, so they prayed
And thus it happened when the child was three
Her loving parents took her by the hand
And brought her to the Temple there to be
Prepared by foremost teachers in the land
Both Joachim and Anne fought back the tears
That evening in the empty house once more
They wondered if their little one felt fears
And if she shared the loneliness they bore
Though tears of longing drenched her little face
The Temple maiden loved the holy place

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION


THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The heart of Joachim was full of joy
The day his wife Anne told him she'd conceived
Their own princess or prince - a girl or boy
It would be like none other, they believed
How very lovely Mary was we know
Since we have hindsight knowledge them denied
No stain of sin would ever mark her soul
Conceived immaculate she lived and died
How can we fathom it? this stainless girl
Mother of our Messiah was to be
Each moment of her life would be a pearl
Of tenderness and spotless purity
"Conceived immaculate", the anthem rang
Around the throne of God the angels sang

Luky Whittle

SONNETS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY BY DR LUKY WHITTLE


SONNETS 
OF 
THE
BLESSED VIRGIN 
MARY

by
Dr Luky Whittle

Dedicated to all who honour Our Blessed Lady

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eighteen blog posts
will contain the following sonnets

Immaculate Conception
Mary becomes a Temple Maiden
Mary's Betrothal
The Archangel Gabriel comes to Mary
An angel allays Joseph's fears
The Visitation
The Marriage of Mary
The Birth of the Infant Jesus
The Presentation in the Temple
The Visit of the Three Kings
The Flight into Egypt
Jesus is found in the Temple
The Wedding at Cana
Mary waits Outside
Jesus enters Jerusalem
The Way of the Cross
The Resurrection
The Assumption

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

THE LISTENER


THE LISTENER

Mary was full of listening
and the Word
was uttered in her silence
like a bellstroke.

In Mary was no threat
of clangour. She was still
as summer-skies
wide-armed to wait the Sun.

Mary was full of stillness,
that she heard the Ghostly overshadow
quiet as power,
fall like crescendoing thunder
on her soul.

Only a word,
a brave consent low-spoken
but every stone in hell
went limp as rag.
The heavens shot up in flame.
There was no hindrance
in Mary, quiet as humility.

The soft-strung Word
lost in negotiation,
pierced Mary's bosom
like a clarion.
In here there was no din,
there was no traffic,
Mary was full of listening,
full of grace.

Mother M Francis PCC
Friar. May 1969
Used with permission