To whom did Mary pray?

Lately I have been wondering how Mary came to be so strong in her faith. Today, we have so many heavenly beings available to hear our prayers, from our deceased relatives, to all of the saints, to Our Lady and to Jesus, and to God the Father himself. Not to mention our ability to turnContinue reading “To whom did Mary pray?”

Our Lady of Sorrows: September 15

The Blessed Mother’s life was not an easy one. Despite being chosen by God to bear his son, she endured sorrows from the time Christ was born (Simeon predicted her soul would be pierced by the events that would unfold in her son’s life, [Luke 2:34–35]) to, and through, the crucifixion of our Lord. TheContinue reading “Our Lady of Sorrows: September 15”

A queen dies; another’s birth is celebrated

Queen Elizabeth II died yesterday, Sept. 8, 2022, at the age of 96. Her passing was mourned around the world, with virtually every media outlet on the planet announcing in its own native language that the beloved monarch was gone. Queen Elizabeth, it seems, was the world’s queen. September 8 is also the feast ofContinue reading “A queen dies; another’s birth is celebrated”

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”

What is the Immaculate Heart of Mary?

As a child, I was always puzzled by images of Jesus and Mary with their hearts exposed. Sometimes the images included flowers surrounding the heart. In others, thorns and swords pierced their hearts. Today marks the feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and after researching more about the day, I now know whyContinue reading “What is the Immaculate Heart of Mary?”

The only approved Marian apparition in the U.S.

The above photo is of Our Lady of Good Help, in Champion, Wisconsin. / Photo: Video screen grab https://youtu.be/lMBoo–4×84 On this day, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, we remember the Blessed Mother’s appearance 105 years ago to three young children in Fatima, Portugal on May 13, 1917. According to Eternal Word Television Network,Continue reading “The only approved Marian apparition in the U.S.”

A ‘living’ rosary

I joined others in our parish community for the “living” rosary, held inside our church in early May. The unique event involved five faith communities within our parish, all joining together in one voice to pray the rosary. The parish’s Unity Committee organized the evening, inviting groups who speak different languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Filipino,Continue reading “A ‘living’ rosary”

Mary’s life after the Ascension

This Easter, the first without my mother who passed away last year, has me more grateful than ever for the blessing of Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. I felt the same way several years ago on the Easter following my father’s passing. I am so thankful to God that this life is not theContinue reading “Mary’s life after the Ascension”

Good Friday purple

My husband and I have been making some changes in our backyard. We decided to freshen up our shrine to the Blessed Mother. The grotto in which the statue of Mary has been housed needs some paint touch up. The outdoor lighting needs to be updated and the spent plants and weeds cleared. We wereContinue reading “Good Friday purple”