Whether it’s a small nativity consisting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child, or an elaborate scene complete with a stable, animals, and the three kings, displaying the nativity scene, or crèche, has long been a Christmas tradition in the Catholic Church.
On November 17, 2013, Pope Francis gave some sage medical advice to the thousands in attendance at the Vatican, “I want to recommend some medicine for all of you.” Holding up a box that looked like a prescription packet of pills, he urged the people, “Don’t forget to take it,” he said. “It’s good for […]
“As we are under great obligations to Jesus for His Passion endured for our love, so also are we under great obligations to Mary for the martyrdom which She voluntarily suffered for our salvation in the death of Her Son.”
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward […]
The Catholic Church is filled with symbols and images meant to be visual reminders of our faith. These symbols tell a story and often reveal a powerful message. Besides the cross—the most recognizable image of the Catholic faith — the Miraculous Medal, or the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, is another popular image that’s rich […]
Entrust the path of peace to the protection of the Virgin Mary.
For her feast day, we offer a prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Oh most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh […]
Sacred Heart — Immaculate Heart Blessed be the Most Loving Heart and Sweet Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the most glorious Virgin Mary, His Mother, in eternity and forever. Amen.
How many times have you watched an old movie or read a historical novel and told yourself, “I don’t know how they did it back then.” You can’t imagine living during a time where you had to wash and dry your clothes without the help of your energy-efficient washer and dryer, or prepare dinner minus […]
There are many ways you and your family can honor Mary throughout the month of May. While we’re not obligated by the Church to formally participate in a May crowning, the month of May is the perfect time to keep the Mother of God more present in our hearts. Enjoy the slideshow with some great […]
Mary’s message to the world was to pray the Rosary, make amends for sins, and to become devoted to her Immaculate Heart. She wanted to make known that God grants graces through her Immaculate Heart, and that they can ask them from her.
In the Catholic Church the month of May is Mary’s month. It’s the month we honor Blessed Mary as the Mother of Jesus and our Heavenly Mother. If you attended Catholic school, you probably remember taking part in the “May crowning” in the beginning of May–where a wreath of flowers was placed on the head of the statue of Mary as prayers were said. As an older student you understood that this ritual was a way to show our love for Mary.
How can the story of She-Who-Transformed-a-Nation be so unknown? The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is far more than just an apparition to one man. It is more than just her miraculously leaving an image of herself on a cloak made of cactus fibers. But you would think the truth is a secret. Does […]
We live 40 miles away from the nearest big city. So driving on the highway is a way of life. On the days when I go into “the amazing town” (as my daughter used to call it), I find my mind filled with worries and random thoughts. It’s really amazing what twists and turns the […]
It’s time for a special party! Bring out the candles. Bake a special cake. Say joyful prayers. Because on Sept. 8 we celebrate the immaculate birth of Our Blessed Mother. It’s Mary’s Birthday! This is a day to celebrate the best of motherhood—because Mary is our guide in the motherhood journey! She nurtures all God’s […]
Feast of the Assumption of Mary. August 15th. A Holy Day of Obligation Imagine being one of those in the early Church. You know Mary, the Mother of Our Lord because she goes from table to table at dinner; quietly ministering to everyone…she radiates such a deep strength that simply seeing her face inspires peace. […]
When I started attending meetings of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites, my husband teased, “Are you going to make low-fat caramels again?” His joke actually has some merit–there is truly a healthy sweetness associated with The Blessed Mother and her special love for the monks of Mount Carmel! The beautiful mountain that rises up […]
The word “May” comes from the Latin word “Maia,” meaning “good mother.” The 5th month of the year is truly a celebration both for our Heavenly Mother and for motherhood itself! This entire month is dedicated to Mary, perhaps because this is the season for flowers. Mary has many titles including the “Mystical Rose…Cause of […]
When my son, Peter, was 14 we visited St. Bernadette’s Church in Albuquerque, NM. He reported feeling an overwhelming sense of peace and “presence” as he sat in the pew. His experience seems consistent with all the reports associated with Our Lady of Lourdes, and the young girl who saw her. Bernadette was 14 when […]
Our mother in heaven is the quintessential mother…she wants to rescue us, her children from the darkness in our lives. And her special prayer—the rosary—is like a rope dangling down from heaven. In fact, Michelangelo painted it just that way! In his Last Judgment painting, two souls hold onto rosary beads. They are pulled into […]
