OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS ACADEMY

ATIMONAN, QUEZON

CAMPUS MINISTRY –CHILDREN’S OF MARY

Our History
The Congregation of the Children of Mary was established in response to Our Lady's command
given to St. Catherine Labouré in July of 1830. The Blessed Mother wanted a new confraternity
established in the Church that would be linked with the gift of the Miraculous Medal. Fr. Aladel, St.
Catherine's confessor, was charged with establishing the work which, at first, was limited to only the
orphans and students cared for by the Sisters of Charity.
In 1847, Pope Pius IX conferred on the Children of Mary all the indulgences already granted to
the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin long established in Rome for the pupils of the Society of Jesus. In 1850,
young boys were first permitted to make their consecrations and in 1876 membership was extended to
include all young people.
In 1904, the Marian Congress at Rome recognized the Children of Mary as a distinct lay society
in the Church and in 1931, the Children of Mary was recognized as a worldwide confraternity open to
all Catholic parishes and institutions.
Pope Pius IX entrusted the work of the Children of Mary to the intercession of St. Philomena, the
young virgin-martyr.
Today, the Congregation of the Children of Mary is part of the World-wide Family of St.
Philomena. The Children of Mary is an organization for young people between the ages of 7 and 18 who
wish to consecrate themselves in a special way to Our Blessed Mother. The sign of membership is the
Miraculous Medal worn on a broad blue ribbon. The congregation is co-sponsored by the Arch
confraternity of St. Philomena and the Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena. The youth
members share in all the graces and indulgences attached to these two organizations.

Consecration
The mission of the Children of Mary is foster extraordinary devotion for the Blessed Mother
among the young. The program is designed to introduce the de Montfort spirituality to young people and
so encourage them to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary without reserve. This total
consecration is an extension of the promises made in Holy Baptism. By placing ourselves under the
protection of the Holy Virgin we trust that she will lead us to a complete union with her Son.

Devotion
In our desire to say 'yes' to Our Lady's call we consecrate ourselves to her as her children. As
faithful children we strive to be obedient to her requests made known at Fatima and elsewhere. And so
we embrace the practice of the daily Rosary, the observance of the first five Saturdays, the wearing of the
Brown Scapular and the Miraculous Medal. We also strive to fulfill the Blessed Mother's call for
conversion and penance by fasting and acts of self-denial.
The Blessed Mother, in her messages to St. Catherine Laboure, wanted the Children of Mary to mark
the month of May, the month of Mary, in a special way. We encourage the practice of the May devotions
and the May crowning as outward signs of our devotion and dedication to the Holy Mother of God.

Action
Mary's children should also be first in promoting the good of others and the common good of society. In
imitation of Our Blessed Mother we strive to be of cheerful service as we respond to the needs that
surround us. The goal of the Congregation of the Children of Mary is to help prepare a new generation
of faithful disciples who will respond with undivided hearts to Our Lady's command: "Do whatever He
tells you."The Children of Mary strive to promote devotion to their patroness, St. Philomena and a great
love for her shrine in Mugnano del Cardinale in Italy where her relics are enshrined.
 OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS ACADEMY
ATIMONAN, QUEZON

CAMPUS MINISTRY –CHILDREN’S OF MARY

The Crown of Twelve Stars Program
In an effort to promote purity and innocence among the young and to enlist them in the cause of
Christ, the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena (ULRA) and the Universal Arch
confraternity of St. Philomena have joined together to promote the St. Philomena Youth for Purity
Program.
In every fight an ally is needed and the Church has proclaimed through the Sovereign Pontiffs
that St. Philomena, the young virgin-martyr, is the ally needed to help the young in their struggle for
integrity of heart. The program aims to introduce St. Philomena, the power of her intercession and the
integrity of her example to the youth of the 21st century. Her inspirational example is even more fitting
now in our time as we see more and more clearly that the temptations and vices of her day have been
recast in our own time - power, greed, lust, and the destruction of the family unit.

We encourage the youth to form 'Children of Mary' circles in their schools and parishes. Pope
Pius IX declared St. Philomena to be the patroness of the Children of Mary and the Living Rosary
Association and the Archconfraternity of St. Philomena have agreed to be co-sponsors of a revived
'sodality' movement. Fr. Chad Partain, the chancellor of the Diocese of Alexandria in Louisiana, has been
named to spearhead the program and act as the Director of the Congregation of the Children of Mary.

Each circle, composed of at least five members, will be registered with both the Living Rosary
Association and with the Archconfraternity of St. Philomena. In this way the children enrolled will share in
the spiritual blessings and indulgences attached to those organizations. Each child registered will assume
responsibility for praying one decade of the rosary each day and for invoking the aid of St. Philomena. The
Children of Mary circles will meet on the first Saturday of the month to foster devotion to the Immaculate Heart
of Mary and to fulfill Our Lady's requests for prayer and penance.

The meetings will be designed to foster the role of the congregation. The Children of Mary is a
Catholic Lay Association that has for its main purpose the spiritual formation of its members. It takes for
its model the spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort and his ideal of total consecration to Jesus through Mary.
The work of the congregation is to foster holiness in the young by giving them solid formation and peer
support under the mantle of the Blessed Mother.

The sign of membership is the Miraculous Medal worn on a broad blue ribbon - the motto of the
congregation is 'Monstra esse te Matrem' 'Show thyself a Mother'.

Regular updates, meeting guides, prayers, and registration forms will be made available on the
Children of Mary website to be launched in November of 2011. Please pray for this endeavor that we
may form in our time "an army of youth flying the banner of truth . . . neath the Queen's white and blue."

Individual members, of all ages, may participate in the Crown of Twelve Stars Program which
sets goals for spiritual growth in devotion and service.
Members, who participate in the Crown of Twelve Stars Program, are awarded silver stars to
wear on the ribbon of their membership medal. The stars are awarded for the completion of the
requirements for each Star:
 OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS ACADEMY
ATIMONAN, QUEZON

CAMPUS MINISTRY –CHILDREN’S OF MARY

The Crown of Twelve Stars Program

First Star
To earn the First Star of the Crown, the individual must first be formally enrolled in the
organization of the Children of Mary. The members should make the Act of Consecration in the presence
of the Blessed Sacrament after having first gone to Confession and having received Holy Communion.
The members should encourage others to pray the Rosary and should encourage others to join
the organization of the Children of Mary to earn the First Star, the members must complete the above
requirements and be active in the organization of the Children of Mary for a period of two months.

Second Star
After two months of active service in the organization of the Children of Mary, the members may
complete the requirements for their second Star. They must have been faithful to their Daily Decade and
be promoting the Rosary in their homes. The life of St. Philomena, our patroness, should be studied and
her intercession sought. They should share St. Philomena's story with others in an active way and learn
to pray the Chaplet of St. Philomena. They should go to Holy Mass and receive Communion on one of the
days associated with St. Philomena's devotion: The members should strive to follow St. Philomena's
example of courage, loyalty and purity of heart, and be able to explain why these virtues are important.
They should also memorize and be able to recite the Acts of Faith, Hope and Love. They should also take
care to celebrate those days associated with St. Philomena:
January 10: St. Philomena's Birthday May 25: the Finding of Her Relics
August 11: Feast of the Saint
Third Star
After four months of membership, the members are able to earn their third Star. They must
demonstrate that they have been faithful to their Daily Decade and to the practice of devotion in honor
of St. Philomena. The heart of the organization of the Children of Mary is the individual Act of
Consecration which should be renewed, every day, by each member. To earn the fourth Star, the members
must be able to explain in their own words what it means to them to be a Child of Mary and how they
are imitating Her virtues of purity, humility, obedience and charity (this requirement can be done in a
conversation with a Circle leader, in a presentation or written report). To earn this Star, the members
must choose a personal motto that expresses their love and trust in the Blessed Mother (i.e. Mary, I love
you and I long to love you more; Mother, may all who see me see you; etc.). The members must actively
keep the month of Mary, the month of May, by some special devotional practice or penance and take part
in their school or parish May Crowning. They must also memorize one of the Morning Offering prayers
given in the Manual.

Fourth Star
Our sign of membership is the Miraculous Medal on a blue ribbon. To earn the fourth Star, the members
must read and study an account of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to St. Catherine Labouré. The
members must plan and carry out a project to tell others of the Medal and its wonders and to distribute
Medals to others, especially those in need. St. Catherine cared for the sick and the aged, so it is appropriate
to distribute Medals in Old Age Homes and Hospitals with permission. The blue ribbon represents the
virtue of loyalty. To earn the fourth Star, the members must have been active in the organization of the
Children of Mary for six months and given support and encouragement to others by memorizing and
living out Ven. Teresas Code of Amiability. MARY WAS HER LIFE, the biography of Ven. Teresa Quevedo,
is recommended for reading To earn the fourth Star, the members must have been active in the
organization of the Children of Mary for six months. The members should also memorize the Memorare
prayer
 OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS ACADEMY
ATIMONAN, QUEZON

CAMPUS MINISTRY –CHILDREN’S OF MARY

Fifth Star
To earn the fifth Star, the members must be active in the organization of the Children of Mary
for eight months. Our Lady promises great graces to those who come to pray at the foot of the Altar in
the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
It is here, we encounter the love and compassion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The members
should read and meditate on the apparitions of Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary and the promises He makes
to those who are devoted to His Most Sacred Heart.
The members should attend Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, if it is offered in their parish
and make visits to the Blessed Sacrament when possible. To complete the requirement for this Star, the
members must spend a total of five hours with Our Lord before the Blessed Sacrament, outside of Mass.
The members must be able to understand and explain the meaning behind the image of Our Lords
Sacred Heart (the flame, the thorns, the cross and the wound). By prayer and penance, we offer our love
and reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to make up for the indifference of others. The members should
be able to explain the importance of making sacrifices and mortifying oneself. The members should know
what it means to fast and abstain, and the purpose for which we make these acts of penance.

Sixth Star
After ten months of active membership, the members may earn their sixth Star. To earn this Star,
the members should learn about the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima and how the three shepherd
children responded to Her call.
Our Lady asked for the Prayer of the daily Rosary, Penance and Consecration to Her Immaculate
Heart in order to bring peace to the world. Our Lady also asked for the practice of the Five First Saturdays.
To earn this Star, the members must have completed the requirements for the Five First Saturdays
and told others of the promises Our Lady makes to those who complete this act of devotion.
Our Lady wants to purify our hearts so that they may be clean like Hers. To purify our hearts, we
must turn away from sin. The members must understand the importance of regular confession and the
fulfillment of the Easter Duties. To receive this Star, the members must have completed their Easter Duty.
They should also take part in the Sacrament of Penance before receiving this Easter Communion.
This reception of the Eucharist is a visible sign of our Faith and our participation in the Kingdom of God.
Of course, one should receive Communion as frequently as possible; this Easter Duty is simply the
minimum requirement set by the Church. The members must encourage others to take advantage of Our
Lords mercy in the great Sacrament of Penance.

Seventh Star
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower of Jesus, is a model for us in learning how to live as children
of God and the Blessed Mother. The members should read and study the life of Saint Thérèse and learn
the importance and power of humility and confident trust - the secret of Thérèses Little Way.
The members must be able to describe in their own words what the Little Way is and how they
can put it into practice in their own lives. Our lives, too, should be lives of love and service for God and
others.
To earn this Star, the members must also present a written or verbal report on a religious
Congregation of the Children of Mary or community in the Church and the work they do. Each of us has
a mission, a calling, a vocation given to us by God. The member should conduct an interview with a
priest, sister or religious brother about how to discern ones vocation. To earn this Star, one must have
been an active member for one year.
 OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS ACADEMY
ATIMONAN, QUEZON

CAMPUS MINISTRY –CHILDREN’S OF MARY

Eighth Star
All of us are called to be saints. A saint is simply someone who loves God above all else. The most
important question we can ask is: Are we growing in our knowledge and love of God? This is the question
we should ask ourselves daily in our examination of conscience.
To earn this Star, for a period of two months, the members should write down in a journal their
examination of conscience. This journal is private and is for the members only. In it, the members should
daily record their virtues and vices, their strengths and weaknesses, and their efforts to grow in holiness.
At the same time, the members should identify and make a study of the virtue they believe is most
important to their spiritual growth and how to attain it with Gods help. The members should read Fr.
Paul OSullivans work, AN EASY WAY TO BECOME A SAINT. The members should also pray the prayer
to St. Joseph given in the Manual and ask for his special guidance and protection. To earn this Star, the
members must have been active for a period of one year and two months.

Ninth Star
The Faith must be shared. Every believer is called to be a witness to Christ in the world. To earn
their ninth Star, the members must read and meditate on the life of Ven. Pauline Jaricot, the foundress of
the Living Rosary. The life of Venerable Pauline is a wonderful example for us, as we pray for the grace
to bring Christ to others. Pauline used all her time, talents and energies to spread the GOOD NEWS of
salvation because she understood that nothing is more important than the salvation of souls.
The members must engage in some concrete activity to share the Faith with others. This can be
done through helping with the parish religious studies program or in helping to support the missionary
activity of the Church. Pauline suffered greatly in her life. The members should be able to explain how
suffering is necessary in God’s plan for our salvation and how it is a sign of His favor. To earn this Star,
the members must have been active for one year and four months.

Tenth Star
The purpose of our Congregation of the Children of Mary is to help the members grow in holiness of
heart. To grow in holiness, we must ask for the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. To earn their tenth
Star, the members should learn to recite and chant the Veni Creator Spiritus (in Latin or English).
This great hymn to the Holy Spirit is a beautiful prayer and a source of great reflection as we ask
the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. Above all, we must learn to desire holiness. The members should
memorize the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit and learn to pray for these Gifts and to practice them in
their daily lives. They should read and meditate on the great Sacrament of Confirmation and prepare
themselves for the grace of that Sacrament. This Star may be earned after one year and six months of
membership.

Eleventh Star
As Children of Mary, we must imitate Marys virtues, especially the virtue of modesty. Modesty is
a form of self-control in all things. It is a virtue or strength which enables us to use everything that has
been given to us for a higher purpose: to give greater honor and glory to God. Our bodies are sacred gifts
from the Lord and we must treat them as treasures to be used for Gods own purpose. As Children of Mary,
we understand that we do not belong to ourselves alone. We belong to God - body and soul.
To earn the eleventh Star, the members must demonstrate modesty in dress and action, and be
able to describe why modesty is so important in their spiritual lives. Modesty is the outward sign of our
interior belief that innocence and purity are precious. To earn this Star, the members should wear or
carry the blessed Cord of St. Philomena and invoke her intercession in the daily struggle for chastity and
purity of mind and body. The members must participate in the Youth for Purity Program which includes.
the Purity Pledge. This pledge must be signed and sent in for registration to the Director to receive this
Star. The members may gain this Star after one year and eight months of membership.
 OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS ACADEMY
ATIMONAN, QUEZON

CAMPUS MINISTRY –CHILDREN’S OF MARY

Twelfth Star
The twelfth Star may be gained after one year and ten months of membership. After earning the
eleventh Star, the members should read and study St. Louis de Montforts work: True Devotion to Mary.
In that work, St. Louis talks about the army of great Saints who will arise under the banner of
Our Lady in the latter days. As Children of Mary, we have been called by God and guided by the Holy
Spirit to play our part with the Blessed Mother in crushing the head of the ancient serpent, the Devil.
The members must understand that we all have a part to play in defeating Satans plans. We must
pray for the gift of humility and perseverance that we may be always faithful to this challenge. In
thanksgiving for all the graces received from God through the Blessed Mothers hands, the members
should learn and pray Marys hymn of praise, the Magnificat. The members should solemnly renew their
Act of Consecration after having received the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion.

Devotions
Act of Consecration
O Mary, conceived without sin, wishing this day to place myself under Thy protection, I choose Thee for
my patroness, my advocate, my mistress and my mother. At your feet I take the firm resolution of doing
all in my power to procure your glory and extend your service. I desire henceforth to belong entirely to
you, walking in your glorious footsteps and imitating your virtues: your angelic purity, your profound
humility, your perfect obedience, and your incomparable charity.

I, ___N.______ , prostrate myself at the foot of Thy altar, O Immaculate Mary, to express the ardent desire
of my heart to be numbered among your privileged children. To merit this favor I make in your presence,
O tender Mother, the firm resolution of laboring with all my might to become by my piety, charity and
obedience, the edification of my companions, and to acquire the virtues which you demand of your
faithful children. O Mary, you know my weakness and my need. Come to my assistance, O Powerful
Advocate, and obtain for me, from your Divine Son, perseverance in my good resolutions and the grace
of being faithful to them all my life, that I may deserve to be your child on earth and in heaven. Amen

I am Thine and all that I have is Thine, O Most Loving Jesus, through Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.

Morning Offering
My Queen and my Mother, I offer myself entirely to Thee. And to show my devotion to Thee, I offer Thee
this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being, without reserve. Wherefore, good
Mother, keep me and guard me as thy property and possession. Amen

Prayer to St. Philomena

O, most pure virgin and glorious martyr, St. Philomena, whom God has revealed to the world in these
unhappy times in order to help restore the faith, sustain the hope and stir up the charity of Christian
souls - behold me here present before you and receive my prayers. Obtain for me that purity for which
you sacrificed all the passing pleasures of this world; that strength of soul which made you resist the most
terrible attacks and that ardent love for Our Lord Jesus Christ which the most painful tortures could not
destroy - so that by imitating you in this life, I may one day be crowned with you in heaven. Amen

St. Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us.

OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS ACADEMY
ATIMONAN, QUEZON

CAMPUS MINISTRY –CHILDREN’S OF MARY

The Feasts of Our Lady