In essence, the goal, or mission, of the Apostles of Light of the Immaculate, is to spend ourselves ever-more completely, and to give of ourselves ever-more generously, in cooperation with the grace of God, mediated through Mary Immaculate - Mediatrix of all Graces - in an unceasing act of adoration, glorification, gratitude, expiation, reparation and supplication to the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Moreover, we offer to Mary, and place on the altar of her Immaculate Heart, all of the prayers, works, joys & sufferings of each day and of our entire lives. Having accepted her sublime invitation to suffer martyrdom of the heart in reparation for the sins of the world, and knowing we shall find no comfort outside the safe refuge of her Immaculate Heart, to which we have entrusted all that we are and have, we turn to her as our sole comfort in the dark hour of our immolation. Miraculously, she brings it about that we begin to taste the sweetness of that deep and abiding joy of suffering for the salvation of our brothers and sisters who have lost the sense of sin, and consequently, do not repent of it. Thus, our daily participation in the Eucharistic Liturgy is the focal point of each day and of our entire lives, for it is precisely through the sacred Liturgy that we gather around the heavenly banquet table, which, simultaneously, is the altar of sacrifice, whereupon Christ offers Himself as the perfect oblation, the spotless lamb of sacrifice, taking upon Himself the sins of humanity and making possible the reconciliation of God and man (a reconciliation which begins at the moment of the Incarnation, when Christ hypostatically reconciles His human nature with His Divine Nature in His one Divine Person). The liturgical re-presentation of Christ's once-for-all Paschal Sacrifice enables us, the members of His Mystical Body, to exercise the Royal Priesthood that was conferred upon us at the moment of our Baptism. Thus, we ask Mary to unite our spiritual sacrifices to Christ's perfect offering of Himself to the Father, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. Finally, we pray that through our daily consumption of, and holy communion with, the true Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist (a term which, from the original ancient Greek, means "thanksgiving"), Christ might fulfill His promise, such that He might live in us, and we might live in Him. Further, if the Eucharist is to be at the center of our every day and our entire life, then it logically follows that the soul will become increasingly grateful to God for everything that God so freely, lovingly and generously gives to and shares with us. Such an "attitude of gratitude" ought to pulsate throughout every fiber of our being, literally bringing us to our knees in thanksgiving for, and awe-struck wonder at, the infinite goodness of God. Thus, we are compelled to permit Christ to live, work, pray and suffer again in each of us, the members of His Mystical Body. In so doing, He will shine the Divine Light of His Love, Peace, Joy, Truth and Goodness through us, and onto all persons with whom we come into contact. And, since Mary is the true Mediatrix and Advocate between Christ and humanity, His divine light must first pass through Mary's Maternal and Immaculate Heart, where it takes on the distinct shape, color and dimensions of the Heart of a Mother - our one, Immaculate Mother Mary. Thus, as Apostles of Light of the Immaculate, we spread, all about us, the Light of Christ, which passes through the Heart of Mary, the first and most perfect Apostle of Light.
About the Author: Jayson M. Brunelle, M.Ed., CAGS, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Springfield College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, also from Springfield College. Moreover, Brunelle earned a Certificate of Completion from the Pre-Theology program at St. John's Seminary, School of Theology. Brunelle has come full-circle, academically speaking, as he is currently working toward a second Master's degree in Theology at Franciscan University. Brunelle's writings have been featured in the "Homiletic and Pastoral Review" and "Lay Witness," and have been listed among "The Best in Catholic Blogging" by EWTN's "National Catholic Register." Recently, he became the Host of the Catholic Internet-Based Radio Show, Glories of Mary, which aires live, every Thursday evening, from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, on http: //www.wcatradio.com, the on-air wing of En Route Media, founded by Dr. Sebastian Mahfood. Brunelle's blog is www.MarianApostolate.com, and he may be reached at jaymbru@gmail.com.