To listen to this post, click below. I woke up this morning and went downstairs to start a pot of coffee. Once I pushed the “brew” button on my coffee maker, I followed my usual routine and began opening the window blinds to let in the day. Still a little sleepy, when I opened theContinue reading “The empty grotto”
Category Archives: My Personal Relationship with Mary
Rosary ID tags are links to past
I have three very special rosaries. The first was given to me by my dear cousin Jennifer when she learned of a medical issue my then-6-month-old son was having. It was blessed at Medjugorje. The second belonged to my mother. It’s a wonder there are any beads left, because she prayed it constantly. The thirdContinue reading “Rosary ID tags are links to past”
Pizzelles and the Hail Mary
I used to pride myself on my multi-tasking abilities. Not anymore. I am now retired and my goal in life is to single-task as often as possible. And at the top of my list of single-tasking priorities is prayer. Old habits are hard to break, though, and I still find my mind wandering when IContinue reading “Pizzelles and the Hail Mary”
Our Lady, our humble mother
I attended a funeral today. It was for my sister-in-law’s brother, so while I knew the deceased, he was not a blood relative of mine. I was once-removed from the grief that a family endures when losing one of its own. Still, as with most funerals, it was a solemn event for all attending, includingContinue reading “Our Lady, our humble mother”
My on-and-off relationship with Mary
Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And I forgot. I realized it after receiving an email from rosary.com that marked this important day. I am embarrassed that I neglected to honor what is presumably the most important day in the life of Mary. I have that horrible feeling youContinue reading “My on-and-off relationship with Mary”
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 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”
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”
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”
searchingforthevirginmary.com 