3 and 30 Freedom August 2026

St. Francis of Assisi did not specifically preach the modern devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, but his profound love for the Mother of God helped lay the foundational theology for total consecration and the Immaculate Conception. Later Franciscan figures and the broader Franciscan order heavily promoted and popularized these Marian devotions over the centuries.

St. Francis of Assisi viewed Mary as the "Virgin-made Church" and the dwelling place of Christ. He wrote beautiful prayers of praise to her, calling her the daughter and handmaid of the heavenly Father and the mother of Jesus. His deep focus on the Incarnation inspired his followers to revere Mary's pure role in God's plan.

Later saints like St. Bernardine of Siena (a Franciscan) and St. Francis de Sales advanced meditations on the pure and virginal heart of Mary. St. Bernardine preached so fervently on the heart of Mary that he is called the Doctor Cordis Mariae (Doctor of the Heart of Mary) from his eloquent sermons and texts describing her heart as a fiery furnace of divine love "Doctor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary".

The Immaculate Heart of Mary signifies, first of all, the great purity and love of the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary for God. This purity is manifested in her “Yes” to the Father at the Incarnation, her love for, and cooperation with, the Incarnate Son in His redemptive mission, and her docility to the Holy Spirit, enabling her to remain free of the stain of personal sin throughout her life. Mary’s Immaculate Heart, therefore, points us to her profound interior life, where she experienced both joys and sorrows, yet remained faithful, as we, too, are called to do.

In the Catholic Church, August is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This month is a time for Catholics to focus their devotion on Mary's heart, which is seen as a symbol of her love, virtue, and inner life, particularly her love for Jesus. 

We also celebrate the Assumption of our Lady on August 15th, and on that date we also launch our 54 Day Rosary Novena, taking us to the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary in October. Miracles have been attributed to this Novena! We had several people report miraculous answered prayers due to this Novena earlier this year. You can find the entire video library, which takes you through each part of the 54 Day Rosary Novena, with THIS LINK.

Pope Pius XII defined it on 1 November 1950 in his apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus as the assumption of Mary, body and soul, into heaven. It leaves open the question of whether Mary died or whether she was raised to eternal life without bodily death.