herself. This step of the lowly Virgin of Nazareth was the huge leap forward for humanity. Going to the moon serves us little if we do not live as brothers and sisters on Earth. But that one of us dwells in [...] November 2 – The Commemoration of All Souls’ Day Mary in Heaven: One giant leap for mankind When man set foot on the moon, he said a phrase that became famous: “That’s one small step for man, one giant [...] today, in Mary’s Assumption into Heaven, we celebrate an infinitely greater conquest. The Madonna has set foot in paradise: she went there not only in spirit, but with her body as well, with all of herself
face of the countless situations we encounter each day. We can identify with many situations of her life. We can tell her what is happening in our lives, because she understands. Mary is a woman of faith; [...] the first of her Son’s disciples and in moments of difficulty she kept the hope of the apostles alive… A woman attentive to the needs of others, she could say–when it seemed like the feast and joy were at [...] (Padre Pio) – Our Lady of Valvanera (Spain) As a good Mother, Mary never wants to abandon her children There can be a no more difficult experience for a mother than to witness the death of her child. It is
September 6 - Italy: Our Lady of Tears (1553) Mary is the best person to lead us to Jesus Are youths today being empowered by the Holy Spirit? This topic was discussed by about 100 teens and young adults [...] had in my life. Strange things started happening such as smelling roses out of nowhere, and I knew for a fact that the Mother of Jesus was with me.” He further encouraged the participants to develop a r [...] realize that God is the only one who can fill the emptiness he experienced. Paul explained that one of the most common misconceptions among Catholics is that we have to be perfect before we can be holy
as one who is consecrated belongs entirely to Mary, so Mary belongs entirely to him." Father François-Marie Léthel, ocd Secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology Excerpt from a conference given in [...] relationship between Mary and the disciple, a relationship of love in the reciprocal gift of self. Saint Louis de Montfort phrased it beautifully, after quoting that same verse of the Gospel in Latin: [...] September 16 - Saint Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church (d. 1621) Jesus established a new bond between Mary and mankind It was Jesus who gave his disciple to his Mother, saying "Behold your Son,"
September 2 - Our Lady of Nettles (Germany, 1441) Mary’s love for us is a great blessing Pope Saint John Paul II wrote, “Mary always reminds us of the salvific value of the work of Jesus, our only Savior [...] personal love of the Mother of God for me. Over the years, on many occasions and in a variety of situations, I have called on her for help and assistance and through Mary have experienced the love of her Son [...] “help us overcome this time of trouble.” During these days of isolation, sickness and worry, may we experience the closeness of the Lord Jesus through the maternal love of Mary. Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan
September 4 - Our Lady of the Good Shepherd (Italy) Every prayer to Mary is centered on Christ The maternity of Mary in the order of grace began with the consent she gave in faith at the Annunciation and [...] entrusts to the Mother of Jesus the supplications and praises of the children of God, since she now knows the humanity that in her has been espoused by the Son of God. This double movement of Marian prayer is [...] brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and cultics, until they are led into the happiness of their true home. (Lumen Gentium 62) Jesus, the only Mediator, is the Way of our prayer;
Palamas in the East, speaks of Mary's role in similar experiences of contact with divine glory, of divinization. St Gregory Palamas insisted that our divinization is possible and real, and that while remaining [...] through divine energies. Mary was the first to achieve this through grace. Then, considering the mystery of the Church as a communion of deification, St Gregory Palamas explained that Mary transmits to us this [...] August 6 – The Transfiguration of the Lord The Transfiguration and Mary The Gospel doesn’t say that Mary played a part in the Transfiguration, but the Church’s tradition, especially Saint Gregory Palamas
later, an "intense prayer of Petition to Our Lady of the Rosary would be offered at the Shrine of Pompei." “I urge everyone to unite themselves spiritually to this popular act of faith and devotion, so that [...] confidence under Mary's protection. "Be certain that she will not deny you her assistance in your hour of trial." Twice each year, on May 8th and again on the first Sunday of October, solemn prayers of petition [...] July 14 - Our Lady Help of Christians (Italy, 1723) Mary will not deny you her assistance In his General Audience of May 6, 2020, Pope Francis addressed Italian listeners, reminding them that two days
central moment of the Christian faith: the last week of Lent—known as Passion Week—before celebrating Holy Week," Father Martial Ramiakadaoro, national director of the Pontifical Missionary Works of Madagascar [...] search of God's presence and power." "The Head of State has consulted with Church leaders on the decisions to be taken that affect the life and faith of the people. Even though the consequences of the pandemic [...] economic situation of the country, like many other countries in the world, the Church has remained a source of life and a place of hope for the Malagasy people," concluded the National Director of the Pontifical
the path of mankind, but it also has an obscure side, the "night of the soul" evoked by St John of the Cross. Father Marie-Joseph Lagrange dedicated his life to the translation and commentary of the Bible [...] the soul in response to the revelation of God's love in the Holy Scriptures and in hearing it preached. Mary's greatness lies in her faith. Mary is the model of faith, yet she did not understand everything [...] June 24 – Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Mary didn't understand everything, but she trusted God Saint Ambrose of Milan (d. 397) spoke from experience and shared something that most faithful can relate
