The Solemnity of the Annunciation, just two days away on March 25, is a celebration of what was the beginning of God’s plan for our salvation, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a celebration of God’s invitation to Mary, delivered by the archangel Gabriel, to become the mother of God. And uponContinue reading “‘…the sixth month…’”
Author Archives: maryshandmaiden
The origin of the ‘Hail Mary’
It just may be the most-often recited prayer of all Christian prayers–the “Hail Mary.” In Latin it is called “Ave Maria.” I know that personally I have prayed this prayer more than any other, mostly because it is the primary component of the Rosary. And also because when I was a little girl we wentContinue reading “The origin of the ‘Hail Mary’”
Our Lady of Lourdes, celebrated Feb. 11
The Blessed Virgin Mary made an appearance here on Earth 164 years ago when she appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France on Feb. 11, 1858. Bernadette counted 18 visions of the Virgin Mary during the five months between the first vision and the last, on July 16 of the same year. While it seemsContinue reading “Our Lady of Lourdes, celebrated Feb. 11”
The Purification of Mary & The Presentation of Jesus
If you’re a woman, and if you’ve given birth, you know the weeks following the delivery of your baby are a time when your body is shedding what is no longer needed once the baby has arrived. In ancient times, body fluids such as those present during pregnancy were thought to make a new motherContinue reading “The Purification of Mary & The Presentation of Jesus”
How old was Mary when she gave birth to Jesus?
In just about every image we see of Mary, it appears that she is in her very late teens or early twenties. She is youthful, but she also projects a level of maturity beyond her years. Scholars, however, say that Mary was most likely between the ages of 12 and 16 when she gave birthContinue reading “How old was Mary when she gave birth to Jesus?”
The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God
Eight days after Christmas Day, on the first day of January and at the close of the Christmas octave, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. This is the day we celebrate Mary’s divine maternity. I continue to wonder how, as just a young girl, Mary’s faith allowed her toContinue reading “The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God”
My first real Christmas
I wrote the following column for a Catholic newspaper where I served as editor. It was penned just after Christmas 2015, nine months after my father passed away. I am 58 years old and this year marked my first “real” Christmas. My older brother and I were raised in a loving Italian Catholic home. WeContinue reading “My first real Christmas”
The tilma: Tangible proof of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast day we celebrate today, Dec. 12, is among the most well-known of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother. The story of her relationship with now-St. Juan Diego in 1531 is remarkable. You can read it here. What is more remarkable to me is the tangible evidence of her encounterContinue reading “The tilma: Tangible proof of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe”
The Immaculate Conception … explained
I think if you surveyed 1,000 people, asking them what the Immaculate Conception is, 900 people would answer that it is when the Holy Spirit came over Mary and she conceived Jesus, while remaining a virgin. They would be wrong. The Immaculate Conception is, in fact, the conception of Mary in the womb of herContinue reading “The Immaculate Conception … explained”
See live video of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is imprinted on the tilma of St. Juan Diego which hangs in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. While continuing my study of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Sacred Heart Major Seminary free online course, I was awed by the link provided to a live videoContinue reading “See live video of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe”
searchingforthevirginmary.com 