The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood in Catholic Families
✦ A Religious Order for Mothers ✦

The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood

in Catholic Families

"It is urgent now. The world is facing a grave cataclysm beyond known proportion due to the impiety and impurity. I have come to rescue the world from this fate." the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Story

A Book, A Movement, A Way of Life

In February 1987, a young American mother of three began to see visions of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. Our Blessed Mother announced the advent of a new spiritual order for mothers — an apostolate of prayer and duty within the home — and promised that it would spread throughout the world and help usher in the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart.

"I will be the model for these women in their daily lives, and they will imitate my virtues. This is necessary to combat the tide of evil which has swept across families and destroyed so many homes." the Blessed Virgin Mary
La Vierge aux Lys — William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1899

For six months, Our Lady and Our Lord spoke to this young mother, instructing her to write the messages down verbatim as they were delivered. They promised her anonymity, so that she could fulfill her duties as a wife, mother, and homemaker in quietness and peace — in keeping with the teaching of the Apostolate itself. We know this mystic only by the name "Mariamante," which in Latin means "Lover of Mary." Her writings were delivered under holy obedience to her spiritual director, and received the Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat before being published as The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood in June of 1991.

The Christ Child
"An apostolate of motherhood will grow out of these writings, which will be an apostolate of prayer and duty in the home done in accord with the will of God and for the love of God. This also will be an aid in my Triumph." The Blessed Mother to Mariamante, The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
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Members of the Apostolate are scattered across many homes and cities, but the call to holy motherhood is best carried in company.

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Joining the Apostolate

The consecration and the tenets, as given to Mariamante.

How to Join

Becoming a Member

Any mother who feels the call to become a member of this movement may do so by observing the following:

  1. Making the "Consecration to the Mother of God."
  2. Following the basic tenets of the movement, as announced by Our Lord on the Feast of the Annunciation.
  3. Living the Rule of Life given to Mariamante.
The Virgin, the Baby Jesus, and Little Saint John the Baptist — William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Basic Tenets

The Three Tenets of the Apostolate

"It is to be named after My Mother, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, the Mother of God, and will be called the Apostolate of Holy Motherhood in Catholic Families. This Apostolate will be approved by the Holy Father and will be promulgated amongst the families of My Church in the four corners of the earth. It will do great good and help much in stemming the tide of evil ravaging so many families today." from The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
  1. They must devote all their time, energy, and resources, including their very selves, to the greater glory of God and the pursuit of the Divine Will in their lives.
  2. They must be consecrated to My Most Holy Mother under the title "Mother of God."
  3. They must seek to fulfill their daily duties as mothers and wives in an exemplary manner of holiness, by pursuing the contemplative life in their homes.
The Consecration

Consecration to Mary, the Mother of God

O Exalted Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, I consecrate myself to thee this day and humbly ask thee to take me under thy constant care and protection as thy devoted child.

O tender Mother of Our Redeemer, fill me with thy love for your beloved Son and make me into a likeness of Him and thyself. Fashion my heart after thy Heart. Make it tender, pure, gentle, and kind. Give me great reverence for life, and devotion to duty.

O Spouse of the Holy Spirit, fill me with thy virtues that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may become a true spouse of Jesus Christ.

O Star of the Sea, guiding light, ever guide me into a deeper union with Jesus that I may glorify Him in time and eternity for the greater glory of the Most Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen.

St. Joseph, pray for us.
All ye Holy Angels and Saints, pray for us.

The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood

✦ The Rule ✦

The Rule of Life

"Be at peace, you have come home."

"My Mother has shown you the way. She has prepared My brides for this union of love, to sing praises to God. Hold fast to Me! Cling to nothing or no one else. Call upon My Mother's protection, but think of Me always as your beloved bridegroom.

"The Bridegroom calls His brides to Him; come and dwell with Me on high. Make My Heart your own abode. Stay with Me in love; never leave Me. Think of Me always and I will dwell within you perpetually. I in thee and you in Me and together We will dwell in the Trinity, as the Father has promised Me. Be at peace, you have come home. Amen." Jesus to Mariamante, The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
The Sistine Madonna — Raphael, 1513
The Rule & the Way

A Religious Order for Mothers

The Rule of Life

Prayer
  • Pray a daily fifteen decade Rosary, with three "Hail Marys" at the end for the mitigation of the suffering of innocent children
  • Frequent Eucharistic Adoration
  • Visit Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament every day
  • Begin the day with prayers of love to Jesus and Mary, in reparation for sin and for the salvation of sinners
  • Live in contemplative prayer
  • Practice lectio divina
Sacraments & Devotions
  • Frequent Mass
  • Frequent and transparent Confession for all sins, even venial sins
  • Pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays and throughout Lent
  • Practice the Nine First Fridays and Five First Saturdays
  • Practice fasting and abstinence
Home & Family
  • Encourage family prayer
  • Wear the Scapular of Mt. Carmel
  • Wear the Sacred Heart Badge
  • Place an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a prominent place in your home

The Way of Life

Daily Duty
  • Embrace your crosses as your sanctification
  • Fulfill your daily duties as a wife, mother, spiritual educator, and homemaker
  • Be attentive, kind, and loving to your children, valuing them as precious jewels
  • Practice holy obedience to your husband
Virtue
  • Practice humility, quietness, and evangelical purity
  • Dress modestly, with Mary as your example
Growth
  • Seek out a holy priest to be your spiritual director
  • Read the writings of the Saints
  • Cultivate devotions to the Christ Child, the Holy Family, St. Joseph, the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, and pray for priests, children, purity, and peace in the world
Excerpts from the Book

Directives from the Blessed Mother & the Christ Child

Tap a tab to read the fuller counsel behind the Rule and the Way of Life.

"Say the Fifteen Decade Rosary daily." "At the end of each Rosary say three Hail Marys for the mitigation of the suffering of innocent children in the world."
"I want all my children to begin their day with prayers to My Most Holy Mother and Myself in love and reparation for sin and for the salvation of sinners."
"I ask that you visit Me in the Most Blessed Sacrament each day for a time and spend this time alone in adoration and praise of Me in this Most Holy Sacrament of love." "Love the Blessed Sacrament and spend time in adoration daily in His presence. Tell Him that you love Him and are grateful for the sacrifice He has made on your behalf."
"Continue to pray the Stations of the Cross throughout Lent, and throughout the year, if possible, particularly on Fridays. These traditional devotions are most pleasing to Me and My Father."
"I want all My children to practice the Nine First Fridays in reparation for sins and the Five First Saturdays in honor of My Mother, so that the tide of evil sweeping across the world will end in defeat. These two monthly devotions, if practiced faithfully by My followers, would alone win this battle, so great are their power in the appeasement of divine justice and the eradication of sin and evil. Practice these devotions perpetually and you will indeed fly to Me on the wings of love as your prayer has been."
"Confess your sins openly." "Although venial sins do not separate you entirely from Me, I wish for you to confess them so that you will be free from all sin as much as possible. You will always grow closer to Me through this holy sacrament and receive the graces necessary to strengthen you not to fall again in the same fashion." "The living waters of grace are available to you through the sacraments. Avail yourselves of them. By this means you will be kept free and spotless of sins. The graces of the confessional will sustain you in the turmoil of your own spiritual life and strengthen you in virtue."
"Adore the Eucharist. The Eucharistic Heart of Jesus is the greatest gift God has given to man."
"They should be spending literally hours in prayer for the world, according to their station in life. If you understand contemplative prayer and practice mental prayer throughout your day, you will be in union with Me as you do your daily duty. This is how I want you to be—living prayer-filled existences."
"You should be eager to do the will of God in all things. Pray that you have this willing spirit, and strengthen the flesh with fast and abstinence from those foods not necessary in your daily diet."
"There is a need today for families to seek out time to be together and to do things together, and particularly to pray together. I want the mothers inspired to this spiritual apostolate by these writings to guide their families in this direction, as the heart of the families which they manifest."
"Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my Divine Son, must be your example in all things. Look to Him in the reading of Holy Scriptures, meditating upon His holy words. All that was uttered from His sacred mouth must be food for your soul. His words are as balm for the soul, and the dew upon the grass."
"The Scapular of Mt Carmel is a sign of my protection. Wear it always. It is a sign of my love and will remind you of me often." "Wear the Sacred Heart badge and place My image in a prominent place in your homes, and I will bless you in abundance."
"Pray for strength and courage to carry your crosses, not to have them taken away when they are your means of purification and sanctification." "Remember it is in your daily duty you are sanctified."
"The frequent reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Penance and Holy Communion are the surest and safest way to Me, along with constant prayer and abandonment to the Divine Will in all things. This is your daily duty in the spiritual sense."
"Be kind to your children. Mothers should spend more time with the children than they are in many homes. Your children are your jewels, your wealth; guard them as the treasures they are." "The important lessons are learned at home. Do not expect others to teach your children. This is your responsibility and should be your joy."
"Obey your husband as long as it is not contrary to faith or morals." "Evangelical purity is to be practiced, especially by women and priests."
"It would be easy for some to become proud or boastful by comparing themselves with others who are perhaps weaker in faith. This is why the importance of silence in regard to spiritual happenings is so great."
"This lack of appropriate dress has become most distressing to Me and My Mother who is the model of all purity. She should be your guide and example to follow in this. I want young women to be modest in their dress, and I want parents to enforce this."
"Spiritual direction is another aspect of your life which you must pursue if you wish to attain this perfection [contemplative prayer], of course, which is made possible by My grace. Seek out holy priests to guide you in this path. They will be of great help to you."
"These [the Saints] should be your models, those whom you wish to emulate. They will give you insight into the ways of holiness by their lives' examples and inspire you in a singular fashion."
"Pray to Me as the Christ Child. Cultivate this devotion." "Devotion to the Holy Family has waned. This is unfortunate and must be revived in order to accomplish My plan for the world now."
"St. Joseph and I will intercede for you in a most powerful fashion so that the holiness of these families will be evident. Many men of today do not understand the importance of the spiritual path and are living too much in the world. Let St. Joseph be their guide and Patron, he who sheltered my Divine Son and myself from the world. He will help you if you pray for his assistance and will be the Patron of your families."
✦ Quotes & Prayers ✦

Quotes & Prayers

"They will be shining examples to all those around them."

"I wish for the apostolate of motherhood to begin very soon. This will aid in my Triumph because it will include many mothers who will rise to holiness through this means. They will learn to offer up their daily duty in a most efficacious way and help to atone for much of the sin of the world. They will learn to use their time wisely, and it will be well spent in prayer, not superficial or superfluous prayer, but prayer that will pierce the Heart of my Son because of its genuineness and love. They will love their children and their husbands and their homes above all else except God and myself, and they will be shining examples to all those around them." The Blessed Mother to Mariamante, The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
Adoration of the Child — Correggio, c.1518–1520
On the World
  • Fear nothing but sin.
  • Be living images of Me in a world darkened by sin. Be the lampstand not hidden but revealed for all to see so as to guide others to Me.
  • Rise above the standards of this world and do what you know is right in your hearts without waiting for tomorrow to come.
  • Cast off the mentality of the world which says you must indulge in your own whims, and sacrifice for your families. This is true love, when manifested in sacrifice. Luxuries are not important; they could be your ruin.
  • You are wise not to talk on the phone so much.
  • The television has become an intrusion into the modern home. Its influence has not always been good and is leading many astray due to a faulty value system. Turn it off when it is not appropriate and do not watch what is not befitting a Catholic home.
  • Stand up for what is right. Do not be silent in the face of wrong.
  • All authority comes from God. This is important for your time.
  • Do not be concerned about human respect.
  • I do not wish for My housewives to evangelize in the world. This is not their call. They should evangelize with prayer from the heart in their homes, where they are protected from the unnecessary evils and stresses of the world.
On Daily Life
  • Prayer and penance, especially the Rosary, and frequent reception of the sacraments is your answer to perfection of daily duty, which you are called to now by My Mother.
  • Do all out of love so that all your intentions and actions will be in accord with the direct will of God.
  • My Son has instructed you in the virtue of patience. This I wish to be practiced among all members of my Apostolate in a special way and to a great degree. Love is patient, love is kind.
  • If you wish to be holy, choose your companions wisely. Do not be taken in or have your faith whittled down by bad company. A person's friend should be like him.
  • My Son gives crosses only to those whom He knows can carry them. See the mercy of your God—that He allows that you may suffer in the redemption of souls while making it your joy.
  • Have I not given you everything? Why must you hesitate when I ask you to give to Me in return what you have received by My grace and mercy alone? Do not squander your graces, lest you be as the man with the buried talents.
  • You may ask me how you know what His will is for you—by what is set forth before you to do at that time.
  • It is sometimes necessary to step out in faith before something can be accomplished.
  • Do not neglect your duties.
  • Silence and obscurity. This is what I ask of you.
  • Love knows no bounds and embraces suffering when it comes because it knows its value.
  • Do not be afraid.
  • Tend to your duties with joy.
  • Use your time wisely, as you may never know when it will be your day to account for all that you have done in your life, your individual day of judgement, your death on this earth.
  • Purification must precede any spiritual growth in order for it to be valid. You must understand this and remember it in the times of trial. They are only temporary, not everlasting like My love for you.
  • Rejoice in your trials; they are setting you free from the bonds of slavery to sin. Sin in various degrees, even minor sins, are highly offensive to God.
  • Those of you who are housewives will find that contemplative and mental prayer are well suited to your station in life.
  • I understand the difficulties of daily life, but I would not give any of my children a task which they could not accomplish.
  • Your husband must be made to feel needed and important. Help him have greater respect for himself and others. Kindness will accomplish this. Be careful not to let him feel left out.
  • Never be envious or jealous of others; and remember you may not know their hidden crosses.
On Motherhood
  • The Apostolate We wished to begin has been explained and announced on the Feast of the Annunciation, which is fitting as it will be the Mother of God to whom the members are consecrated, and will aid them in treating their children and families with the proper reverence which is being requested through this Apostolate.
  • In regards to your own children, treat them with kindness but be firm, or they will direct you instead of you directing them.
  • To deny human life because of the whimsical and precarious excuses of today's person is an outrage against the Divine Order. How can human life be compared to material things? That which lacks life can be nothing in comparison to that which is eternal, the human soul.
  • It is important to be a good mother.
  • Be attentive to your children.
  • Mothers, teach your children to be kind to one another.
  • Love and cherish your children.
  • Children need to learn respect for authority.
  • Cherish your children and give them the stable environment they deserve.
  • A mother must be available to her children when they need her and not busy about other less important things.
  • Discipline is necessary, but so is joy. Love your children. Many children are suffering from a lack of love. This is a tragedy. They are made to feel as burdens. Their parents should beg God for forgiveness, for he who leads the little ones astray will be held to account for it.
  • I am so pleased with what has transpired in your home in regard to the proper Catholic upbringing which your children are receiving; I wish for many mothers to do the same.
On Authority
  • I have given the gifts of spiritual direction to My priests and I wish for them to use them. Never allow a layperson to direct you in spiritual matters. They have no authority to do so. Remain only under the direction of priests. They alone have been given this authority by Me over the laity.
  • Love and holy obedience will continually protect all my children. Amen.
  • The true test of obedience is in conforming one's will to the will of God through the voice of superiors even when the individual may disagree or not understand clearly the meaning of the restriction or chastisement. This strengthens the soul in a unique way by renunciation of one's own will in deference to the will of God as expressed through his or her superiors. I am most pleased with this type of self-sacrifice, as it is similar to My own response in the Garden of Gethsemane.
  • Be obedient to your husband as long as it is not contrary to faith or morals... Even as I was obedient to St. Joseph while on earth, as when we fled into Egypt. All authority comes from God.
  • Treat your superiors with the respect they deserve as being in My image. Do not discuss their personal faults with others, for who is without fault? This only creates a climate in which arrogance can be fostered. Rather, if you notice a particular defect or weakness, pray for them that they will overcome this and be made more like Me, but never mention it to others. I encourage all My children to be obedient and respectful. This pleases Me very much and causes the Angels to rejoice.
  • Remain in holy obedience and you will have nothing to fear.
  • Follow the example of the Holy Family who lived in humility and love, deferring to one another.
On Holiness
  • I am in need of those to love Me in reparation for the sins of the world. Do not hesitate in your call. Come to Me now with willing hearts and spirits inflamed by My Holy Spirit with a supernatural love in atonement for sins.
  • Listen to your conscience.
  • They should strive to fulfill their daily tasks in accord with the spirit in which she [Mary] carried out her tasks while on earth. This will be a constant source of contemplation throughout their day, so that all that they do will be in accord with the will of God.
  • The goodness of your God is unimaginable to you.
  • The answer to all modern day woes is in the sacraments of My Church.
  • Confess your sins openly. This will confound the enemy's wiles. He wants all to lack the self-knowledge which comes from confessing your sins openly and without fear of human respect.
  • Purity and humility, obedience and poverty, prayer and penance—this will lead them back to my Son Who loves them so.
  • Arm yourselves with holiness and that which is holy, My sacramentals and devotions, so that you will not fall prey.
  • I do not wish you to bring harm to yourselves, but penance are in order whether it be simple abstinence or fast or abstinence from earthly pleasures. These can be the attachments which impede the flight of the soul of the individual to Me and must be done away with.
  • Be prepared through prayer and penance so that when your time comes to suffer, it will be a joyful acceptance of the circumstances with this divine union in mind.
  • My hope is that my children will respond with willing spirits and generous hearts when called upon to suffer now in these times when the salvation of souls of so many are at stake. They will be with you in paradise for eternity and most grateful to you for your little sacrifices which brought about so much by the generosity of God, Who honors even the smallest attempt if it is carried out with love.
  • I am the Queen of Heaven and Earth, but I too must obey God. If I obey God, why do not my children on earth do the same? It is so simple. God asks so little of you.
  • Love your neighbor.
  • Never allow resentments to hamper your thinking or you may be taken in by the evil one in most subtle ways.
  • Practice humility and obedience and you will rise speedily to perfection.
  • They have reduced the thought of sin in their lives to practically nothing at all, convincing themselves that serious or mortal sin is nearly impossible to commit. I say to you this day, that this is a grave and serious error which you must overcome, if you wish to enter the Kingdom of Heaven which I have prepared for you.
  • Learn to forgive each other quickly so as not to hold grudges against one another.
  • There is no room for pride or self-glory among those who profess to love Me. They must love all my creatures, yes, even those who have fallen into sin.
"Holy souls, beware! That is, particularly those consecrated to My Mother and belonging to her sodalities and movements. The evil one will use devious means by which to ensnare even the most unlikely… He will forever harass the soul with thoughts that one should be carrying out one's daily duty instead of this particular devotion, prayers, or spiritual nourishment. Beware! He is after those with fervor in order to whittle down their devotion to a lukewarm and ordinary level." Jesus to Mariamante, The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
The Holy Face
Counsel on Prayer

On Prayer

from The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood

  • All members of My Mother's apostolates, pray for sinners and an end to this calamity that has befallen My Church—that is, the reception of Holy Communion by so many who are not in a state of grace. Invoke the Saints in this struggle for justice.
  • The merits of the Saints should be drawn upon by all who are now living, so that they can be united in the grand scheme which is unfolding from Heaven.
  • Pray to the Holy Spirit to strengthen and inspire your prayer life and He will answer your prayers.
  • My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor upon His lowly servant. Imitate me in this prayer of thanksgiving and joy with being chosen by God to do His work upon earth.
  • My Mother has done so much for you. Love her also in return. Tell her that you love her often, as it is fitting to love a Mother so.
  • Offer Him your every moment of the day in love and reparation and atonement for the sins of the world.
  • There are many souls who long to be released from Purgatory. Pray for them. These holy souls can also aid you in your journey if you call upon them. They can pray for you.
  • Prayer is the prerequisite for spiritual favors and gifts and must be asked for by someone.
  • Pray for the world. Say many Rosaries for humility and purity.
  • Often throughout your daily duty, say "this is for the suffering of innocent children in the world."
  • Pray for those who neglect or fear the confessional.
  • Sing praise to your Heavenly Creator.
  • I am disturbed by the number of My followers who do nothing to offer reparation for sin or pure love of Me, but spend most of their time in petition for favors and conversion of only family members. You must widen your circle of prayer to include now the whole human race if you wish to fulfill My will.
  • Pray to the Holy Angels often for guidance and wisdom to do God's will in your daily duties, and they will help you to follow His will.
  • Invoke the protection of the Precious Blood.
  • All my children should pray for a willing spirit to do the will of God.
  • Honor My Mother as the Queen of All Hearts. Honor her under this title, for it will help you to carry her in your heart.
  • Worship God in His goodness and love. Pray to Him in thanksgiving and joy, not only in petition for wants and desires.
  • With My Mother all is eternal springtime… She has created a veritable paradise in her Heart. Go to her when she calls you. Follow her inspirations.
  • Do not fear him, that is, the evil one, but continue to do as you have done in regard to frequent blessings from priests. Frequent blessings of your home will also help in this matter.
  • The Holy Spirit, the greatest of teachers, will be your guide and light in all matters if you allow Him to penetrate your innermost being through prayer, meditation, and the contemplation of the Divine Order and majesty.
  • God is pleased with your prayers when they come from the heart and when they are united to me in my Immaculate Heart.
  • Pray for courage and I will be your strength, your courage, your fortitude, and I will prepare you for union with my Divine Son. He will dwell within you in a most glorious and beautiful fashion if you trust in Us.
"I know that many hesitate to call upon My Mother, fearing it will somehow detract from their love of Me. How foolish this is. They do not understand the meaning of love. They would never think this if they understood My nature. I am never jealous of My Mother because it is I Who have planned for her to intercede for you. It is My expressed wish that it be this way. As I told you before some years ago: 'In Heaven there is no jealousy,' and 'Souls are not worthy to come to Me first; they must go through her Immaculate Heart.' I hope that many will read this and put the nonsense behind them that has been perpetrated by her adversary, the evil one. Never be afraid to turn to My Mother in all circumstances. She should be the one to whom you go and who will lead you to Me." The Christ Child to Mariamante, The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
For the Members

Prayers for the Movement

O Holy Christ Child, enlighten our minds and hearts to the great dignity of children, who are cast in Your image. Let us love and guide them as we ought for Your greater glory.

O Holy Spirit, Spouse of the Mother of God and our Mother, inflame our hearts with Your Divine Love and make us into images of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, make us ever faithful to Your Divine Will and give us great zeal with which to carry it out.

Dearest Lord Jesus, keep us always faithful to all the teachings of Your Church, that we may live the life You wish for us now and in eternity. Amen. Come Lord Jesus. Come and dwell within our hearts.

The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood

"You will all be receiving extraordinary graces who are members of this Apostolate, as it is divinely inspired and will be my own work." The Blessed Mother to Mariamante, The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
✦ The Book ✦

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The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
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