Our Lady of America


INTRODUCTION

The following lines were penned by a religious Sister, Mary Ephrem (Mildred Neuzil), from her cloister cell. She was professed as a religious in 1933. Exteriorly she was much like any other Sister in the Community, trying to be faithful to the Rule and the religious practices of the Community. She received her assignments to work in various houses, mostly in domestic work. From 1951 to 1954 she taught kindergarten classes in a parish school and enjoyed very much working with the little ones.

About 1938 she began to have what seemed like mystical experiences. They may be described as flights of the spirit, interior locutions, etc. Having these did not disturb nor overawe her in any way. In fact, by her own admission she thought they were a common thing to all religious.

In 1948 these experiences were brought to the attention of her confessor. He prudently advised her to be very cautious, lest it be a case of an overactive imagination. The experiences became more vivid and the messages more pressing. She considered seriously entering a cloister, perhaps to find her fulfillment of God's Will there. But various events indicated otherwise. Finally, her own Community established a cloistered group within the active, and in May 1958 she was permitted to enter this cloister.

These supernatural happenings, referred to above, included many things that concerned only her own personal spiritual life: special espousals with Christ, designation as the Little White Dove, etc. During all this time there were no external signs that she was different from any other member of the Community.

After some years she began to write down briefly the happenings during these occasions of special communication with God. These were read by one of the other priest to whom she had gone for direction, and in general they never found in them anything contrary to faith and morals, nor anything to indicate mental debility. On the contrary, some points, especially the great emphasis on the Indwelling of the Blessed Trinity, showed a theological understanding beyond what this Sister had been able to obtain from her regular courses in Religion.

Finally, in 1954 these visits took on the nature of a specific program of special devotion to Mary which this Sister was commanded to propagate. In fulfillment of these expressions of Our Lady which this Sister is convinced Mary wants her to carry out, she has set down in writing this Message of Mary, who presents herself here as Our Lady of America.

This Sister was blessed to have Archbishop Paul Leibold† for her spiritual director from 1940 to 1972, when he died. He authorized the first and second printing of these Messages and had the Medal of Our Lady of America Struck.

Sister Mary Ephrem (Mildred Neuzil) died on January 10, 2000 in Fostoria, OH.

Nihil Obstat: Daniel Pilarczyk, S.T.D.

Imprimatur: †Paul F. Leibold, V.G.

Cincinnati, OH — January 25, 1963

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MEDALLION

The one side bears the image of Our Lady of America and around it the words, "By your Holy and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, deliver us from evil." The Coat of Arms of the Christian Family is on the other side of the medal. The Divine Indwelling is represented by the Triangle and the Eye on the red shield of the Precious Blood, through which sanctifying grace was made possible to fallen man. The sanctification of the family through imitation of the Holy Family is represented by the Cross and the two lilies, on each of which is depicted a burning heart. The flaming sword is a symbol of Divine Love so necessary to attain union with God, while the rosary indicates a most profitable means of drawing closer to the Holy Family, through devout meditation on the various Mysteries. The scroll above bears the inscription, "Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritu Sancto" and the one below, "Jesu, Maria, Joseph." These aspirations are simply explanations of the whole theme and are also acts of praise to the Trinity and the Holy Family. This medallion is to be worn with great faith and fervent devotion to Our Lady for the grace of intense purity of heart and the particular love of the Holy Virgin and her Divine Son.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF AMERICA

O Immaculate Mother, Queen of our Country, open our hearts, our homes, and our Land to the coming of Jesus, your Divine Son. With Him, reign over us, O heavenly Lady, so pure and so bright with the radiance of God's light shining in and about you. Be our Leader against the powers of evil set upon wresting the world of souls, redeemed at such a great cost by the sufferings of your Son and of yourself, in union with Him, from that same Savior, Who loves us with infinite charity.

We gather about you, O chaste and holy Mother, Virgin Immaculate, Patroness of our beloved Land, determined to fight under your banner of holy purity against the wickedness that would make all the world an abyss of evil, without God and without your loving maternal care.

We consecrate our hearts, our homes, our Land to your Most Pure Heart, O great Queen, that the kingdom of your Son, our Redeemer and our God, may be firmly established in us.

We ask no special sign of you, sweet Mother, for we believe in your great love for us, and we place in you our entire confidence. We promise to honor you by faith, love, and the purity of our lives according to your desire.

Reign over us, then, O Virgin Immaculate, with your Son Jesus Christ. May His Divine Heart and your most chaste Heart be ever enthroned and glorified among us. Use us, your children of America, as your instruments in bringing peace among men and nations. Work your miracles of grace in us, so that we may be a glory to the Blessed Trinity, Who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us.

May your valiant Spouse, St. Joseph, with the holy Angels and Saints, assist you and us in "renewing the face of the earth." Then when our work is over, come, Holy Immaculate Mother, and as our Victorious Queen, lead us to the eternal kingdom, where your Son reigns forever as King. Amen (200 days)

Written at the behest of Our Lady, October 5, 1956.

Nihil Obstat:–Daniel Pilarczyk, S.T.D.

Imprimatur:–†Paul F. Leibold, V.G.

Cincinnati, January 25, 1963