I’m so excited to have found a free online course from the Catholic Sacred Heart Major Seminary called “Behold Thy Mother.” It is a self-paced, four-week course that includes videos, course work, quizzes and multiple resources that will allow the student to explore more deeply the role of Mary. I just finished the first videoContinue reading “Getting to know the Blessed Virgin”
Author Archives: maryshandmaiden
The Rosary is a gift, direct from Our Lady
October is the month in which we celebrate the gift of the Most Holy Rosary. According to CatholicCulture.com, in the year 1206 St. Dominic received the Rosary from the Blessed Virgin Mary in response to his prayers for aid, during a period in which he was losing his battle against heretics. A good overview ofContinue reading “The Rosary is a gift, direct from Our Lady”
Miracle of the Sun witnessed by some 70,000 people
I’ve always thought that all God has to do to get the whole world to believe is to make something miraculous happen. Well, he did just that on Oct. 13, 1917. Our Lady made her final appearance to three children to whom she had appeared monthly since May of the same year. She fulfilled herContinue reading “Miracle of the Sun witnessed by some 70,000 people”
Happy Birthday, Mother Mary
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (her birthday) is celebrated on Sept. 8 each year, nine months after we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the day Mary herself was conceived. (The Immaculate Conception is often confused with the Annunciation – the occasion on which Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel andContinue reading “Happy Birthday, Mother Mary”
Her presence, felt
This morning I decided to spend some time in quiet prayer at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, in Southern California. It’s located just behind Mission San Juan Capistrano, the 7th of the 21 California missions founded by Father Serra, now St. Serra. My intention was to ask for inspiration and guidance for this effort ofContinue reading “Her presence, felt”
The inflection point
The world is in chaos right now. I keep hearing the words “inflection point.” I know that they mean a critical point, but I admit I didn’t know the mathematical definition. (I never got to calculus.) In math terms, the inflection point is the point at which a curve turns from concave to convex. ItContinue reading “The inflection point”
Queen of Heaven and Earth
On this day, as we celebrate the coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth, we must remember that she is also our Mother. Our Earthly mothers (mine is now 90 years old), if they do the job God intends them to do, will nurture our bodies, minds and spirits while we are hereContinue reading “Queen of Heaven and Earth”
I lost my Rosary
My most prized possession is my Rosary. And I’ve lost it. My cousin Jennifer sent me this very special Rosary when my youngest son was having a medical issue. I was so distraught over his condition and have never prayed more sincerely nor more constantly for the Blessed Mother to intercede to the Lord toContinue reading “I lost my Rosary”
I wish I was the visionary
Catholic News Service posted this video on YouTube showing a woman who sees the Virgin Mary, as well as Jesus. The apparitions to large groups happen monthly in a town near Rome. But Gisella Cardia, the visionary, says she’s visited daily by Jesus and/or Mary. The bishop of this area has yet to set upContinue reading “I wish I was the visionary”
My first memory of the mystery of Mary
I am about to turn 62 years old. I realize now that Mary has influenced my life since I was a little girl. And while I always felt she was a part of my life, I never really felt close to her, as some people do. Until recently. Interestingly, it was both of my grandfathersContinue reading “My first memory of the mystery of Mary”
searchingforthevirginmary.com 