Litany in Flowers: A Marian Devotional for Families

By W.J. Ottenbreit

Combining traditional elements of the faith with fresh and creative ideas, "Litany in Flower" is a devotional for todays Catholic families. The titles of Mary found in her litany provide structure for thirty-one days of activities, discussions, and learningsurrounded by the flowers that reflect new life, both physical and spiritual. Let this little book help your family grow more like Jesus through his mother.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Nov 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466956292

W.J. Ottenbreit

Through "Litany", Ottenbreit hopes to make available to others a useful resource for the active living of their Catholic faith. Religious belief, while certainly personal and spiritual, should not be ethereal. As a father, educator, and therapist, it is important to be practical and intelligible. "Litany" is an expression of this belief. Though writing as been an interest since youth, the demands of family, work, and regular life provide few opportunities to take up pen. The author lives with his wonderful wife and daughters in beautiful western Canada.

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Copyright 2012 W.J. Ottenbreit.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or

otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Created in the United States of America.

isbn: 978-1-4669-5628-5 (sc)

978-1-4669-5629-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012916525

Trafford rev. 11/26/2012

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North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

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Litany in Flowers

A Marian Devotional for Families

Quotations from Scripture are taken from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1965, 1966 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction

The Catholic faith has given the month of May in special dedication to Our Lady. One manner by which to honour the Blessed Virgin in this springtime filled with new life is through flowers dedicated to her. Many flowers by traditional practice have come to be associated with Mary. This booklet is designed to help Catholic families venerate the Mother of God through her flowers.

Structured by the titles of the Marian Litany, each day in May proposes a different focus from the life of Mary, doctrine about her, or quality which we are called to imitate. Begin by praying the line(s) of the litany presented and read the short Scripture included. If possible, place the flower chosen for each day before a statue (or icon) of Our Lady as an offering for her. Alternately, each day a new flower is mentioned you may choose to plant its seed in your garden with the flowers blooming later as a further gift to Mary.

In some cases a flower may be known too by a specific religious name and this can be meditated upon along with the explanation of its symbolism. Not only flowers have been associated with symbolic meaning. Each day finds proposed also an additional item. Since most of these are fruits or herbs you are encouraged to incorporate them into a meal during that day, again recalling what they represent. If the item is not edible there are still many other ways to touch upon its symbolism; families are encouraged to show their own creativity.

A quote leads us to meditate on some aspect of the Blessed Virgin and helps us to know her better. The prayer, song, or poem may be used to close. For away from your prayer time choose a suggested activity and use it to practise the quality or remember the doctrine proposed.

Though this little book was put together to help families with a lively devotion to Mary, it is impractical to think that they could do all the activities contained herein. As Mary was the only one to believe on Holy Saturday, Saturdays have especially been given to her devotion; if this day is less busy for you, use it. Pick and choose what works for your home – without concern that your loving efforts are ever insufficient.

May this litany in flowers help us to grow more like the Son through the Mother.

Lord, have mercy on us.

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven,

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Have mercy on us

God the Holy Spirit,

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, one God

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Have mercy on us

Kyrie, eleison.

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Christe, eleison

Kyrie, eleison.

Christe, audi nos.

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Christi exaudi nos.

Pater de caelis Deus,

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Miserere nobis

Fili, Redemptor mundi Deus

SKU-000604160_TEXT_EBOOK.pdf Miserere nobis