his visit to Fatima on May 12-13, 2017, for the 100th anniversary of the first apparition: "I still keep in my heart the memory of that trip and the blessings that Our Lady granted to me and to the Church [...] May 13 – First apparition of Our Lady at Fatima (Portugal, 1917) – Attempted assassination of Pope Saint John Paul II (1981) Never stray from the Mother Never stray from the Mother and never abandon the [...] better than all our misery and he loves us very much. Keep moving forward, never stray from the Mother: like a child who stays close to his mother and feels safe, so we too, at Our Lady's side, feel very
March 24 – Our Lady of the Thorn (Châlons-sur-Marne, France, 1400) - Saint Catherine of Sweden (d. 1381) Being a woman is not second best Mary is given as an example of the perfect accomplishment of femininity [...] that of love. And love is the very Being of God, because God IS Love! There is nothing second best about being a woman. Saint John Paul II helps us to become aware of women’s specific mission: "Our time [...] manifestation of that "genius" which belongs to women, and which can ensure sensitivity for human beings in every circumstance: because they are human!!" How could we not be reminded of Saint Therese of Lisieux
Prince of Morocco. It was like a tale from the Arabian Nights: this child coming, at the request of his father, the King of Morocco, to pray to the mysterious and beneficent Lady of the Grotto of Massabielle [...] September 13 - Our Lady of Quinche (Ecuador) - Saint John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church A Muslim Prince in Lourdes The presence of Muslims at Lourdes was beautifully illustrated by an 8-year-old child [...] in charge of the Grotto gave them a few brief explanations. With the minister's permission, and at the request of the little prince and princesses, he distributed some images of the Virgin of Lourdes. On
Saint Bernardino of Siena (1340-1444) - Our Lady of Graces (Cuneo, Italy, 1537) Mary’s Greatness and Holiness Saint Bernardino of Siena was a popular preacher, attentive and sensitive to the mentality and [...] religiosity of his listeners. (…) He preached that God wanted the Virgin to be so great and perfect because He had predestined her to become the Mother of the incarnate Word. Thus, the mystery of her divine [...] greatness, so that her predestination is connected with the predestination of Christ. Her fullness of grace and her role in the mystery of the incarnate Word, as well as her compassion on Calvary and her Assumption
foot from Castres to Lourdes (170 miles) to pray Mother Mary for her recovery. His funeral was held in the church of Naves near Castres. Georges and Gina were true children of the north of France, nevertheless [...] March 18 – Our Lady of Mercy (Savona, Italy, 1586) - St Cyril of Jerusalem A famous conductor who loved Mary George Prêtre, a famous conductor (born on August 14, 1924, in Waziers, northern France), who [...] grew fond of the region of Castres, where George eventually died. Besides the fact that he was a remarkable conductor, many articles and programs dedicated to his work and personality omitted to mention
March 17 - Virgin of the French (Nagasaki, Japan) - Our Lady of Blaj (Romania) Joseph’s test (1) Since Joseph was just and unwilling to expose Mary, why had he a mind to put her away ? I give you on this [...] unworthy to entertain one in whom he beheld a superhuman dignity. He beheld with awe in the Virgin-Mother a certain sign of the Divine Presence, and as he could not penetrate the mystery, he wished to put her [...] point not my own opinion, but that of the Fathers. Joseph’s reason was the same as Peter’s when he said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord”; and that of the centurion when he exclaimed, “I
called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David, and the virgin's name was Mary (Lk 1:26). "Rejoice, full of grace! The Lord is with you!" (Lk 1:28). "Of all women you [...] April 30 - Our Lady of Africa (Algiers, 1876) - 2000: Canonization of Sister Faustina The Angelus Comes Straight From Saint Luke "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee [...] is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42). Many Catholics still do not know this prayer by heart. Then why not memorize it and say it at least once a day at noon? It would be a beautiful gift to the Blessed
Saint Bernardino of Siena (1340-1444) - Our Lady of Graces (Cuneo, Italy, 1537) Mary’s Greatness and Holiness Saint Bernardino of Siena was a popular preacher, attentive and sensitive to the mentality and [...] religiosity of his listeners. (...) He preached that God wanted the Virgin to be so great and perfect because He had predestined her to become the Mother of the incarnate Word. Thus, the mystery of her divine [...] greatness, so that her predestination is connected with the predestination of Christ. Her fullness of grace and her role in the mystery of the incarnate Word, as well as her compassion on Calvary and her Assumption
May 12 - Feast of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Manila, the Philippines) Three Doves in Fatima In 1946, two friends found themselves in a delirious crowd while the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried [...] landed one after the other at the base of the statue, near on the Madonna’s feet. The crowds acclaimed the feat with cries of joy - clapping their hands loud enough to wake the dead - but the birds were by [...] mass on December 6, 1946, one of the doves flew up and settled on the Madonna’s crown, thus symbolizing the Holy Spirit. During the distribution of the Holy Communion to four thousand worshippers, the
May 12 - Feast of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Manila, the Philippines) Three Doves in Fatima In 1946, two friends found themselves in a delirious crowd while the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried [...] landed one after the other at the base of the statue, near on the Madonna's feet. The crowds acclaimed the feat with cries of joy - clapping their hands loud enough to wake the dead - but the birds were by [...] mass on December 6, 1946, one of the doves flew up and settled on the Madonna's crown, thus symbolizing the Holy Spirit. During the distribution of the Holy Communion to four thousand worshippers, the
