Rest in the Immaculate Heart of Mary This August

Sarah Pedrozo offers some Scripture passages and saint quotes to help us rest and rejuvenate in Mary’s presence this month. 

The month of August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This beautiful devotion was originally promulgated by Venerable Pope Pius XII in 1944, to be celebrated on August 22 as the Octave of the Assumption. Although the feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was later moved to the Saturday after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in June, there are still three big Marian feast days in August. These are the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on August 5, the Assumption of the Blessed Mother on August 15, and the Queenship of Mary on August 22. It’s a big month, Marianly speaking! 

Even though the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is no longer technically within the month of August, reflecting on Mary’s pure, compassionate, and maternal heart is always a fruitful exercise.  

The month of August also often marks the approaching end of summer vacation. Back-to-school ads are in full swing, and stores have already swapped out selling summer pool toys and floaties for backpacks, lunch boxes and other school supplies. It will soon be time to get back to the school routine, with its early mornings and after-school activities.  

But before those days arrive and we hit the treadmill again, August gives us a chance to rest in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to pray for the school year ahead and for all those we love who will be hitting the road, or riding their bikes, or climbing onto the bus, or sitting around the school table. 

I like to think of August as a long-extended weekend, our last chance to be rejuvenated for the journey ahead. With that in mind, here are a few quotes from Scripture and from different saints who all found peace, purpose and rest by spending time in Mary’s presence. I hope you’ll also find a little time this month to meditate on Jesus’ Mother and our Mother, and receive the help and hope that is needed specifically for you and your family. 

Scripture Proclaims: 

• And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)
• “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)
• And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
• His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)
• When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
• All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:14)

Saints Praise: 

 “I only want to tell you that the Virgin Mary loves you very much — very, very much. And you know, she is here in our midst. ... I want to say that the Virgin Mary is truly here, here right in your midst! The Virgin Mother walks in this House and covers it with Her Mantle.” Saint John Bosco (Biographical Memoirs, vol. XVII) 

 “Who is this Virgin, so venerable that she is saluted by an angel, yet so humble that she is espoused to an artisan? Had Mary not been humble, the spirit of the Lord would not have rested upon her. ... therefore, apply thyself with zeal to copy her humility so that you, too, may be fruitful.” Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (St. Bernard’s Sermons on the Blessed Virgin Mary) 

 “Have you strayed from the path leading to heaven? Then call on Mary, for her name means ‘Star of the Sea,’ the North Star which guides the ships of our souls during the voyage of this life, and she will guide you to the harbor of eternal salvation.” Saint Louis de Montfort (The Secret of the Rosary) 

 “At my First Confession [the priest] urged me above all to have great devotion to Our Lady; she already occupied a very large place in my heart but I promised to g vie her even more.” Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux) 

“What saint’s love for God can match Mary’s love?  She loved Him more in the first moment of her existence than all the saints and angels ever loved Him or will love Him. Just as there is not one among all the blessed who loves God as Mary does, so there is no one, after God, who loves us as much as this most loving Mother.“ Saint Alphonsus Liguori (The Glories of Mary) 

Questions for Journaling or Peaceful Reflection: 

• Did any of the Scripture quotes above speak to you especially? 

• Which one of the above quotes from the saints is your favorite?  

• If Mary was sitting with you now, how would you like her to intercede for you and your family? What would you ask her to ask Jesus? 

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Copyright 2025 Sarah Pedrozo
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