January 27 – St. Mary of the Angels (Aix-en-Provence, France) – Coptic Marian Feast of the Dormition – St. Angela Merici God gave Mary a husband whom he designed for her For the consolation of the Blessed [...] they would both long for the fulfillment of the greatest of all mysteries. The marriage of Joseph and Mary was the work of Heaven itself. They were both chosen by God's wisdom, formed for each other by God's

of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph Mary and Joseph are models of both spouses and virgins The New Testament provides very little, if any, information about the life of Mary and Joseph before the [...] neither Mary's concubine nor Jesus' progenitor? Now regarding the last question: is it not troubling and even contradictory that Mary is given as an example to both consecrated and married persons? Mary has [...] together afterwards. We only know that Mary was "married" to Joseph, that they were not yet living together, and that Joseph would soon be invited to "take Mary his wife into his home". To find out more

symbol of Mary and of the Church. Esther and Judith are also symbols of Mary, as they are associated with the Savior in the unfolding of the divine plan of salvation. Next to Christ, the Virgin Mary can be [...] conversion of French Jew Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne after an apparition of the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal (Rome, Italy,1842) – 4th apparition at Banneux (Belgium) Next to Christ, Mary is the greatest glory [...] fulfilled. Pope John Paul II, in his homily given in Nazareth on March 25, 2000, called the Virgin Mary "the most authentic of the daughters of Abraham" because, with great faith, she became the Mother

of Trent declares that Mary is free of all sin (1547) – Our Wounded Lady (Cambrai, France) Mary, the one who kept all these things in her heart here is a point about the Virgin Mary in a Gospel passage where [...] are forbidden to proclaim Mary blessed, in accordance with the Gospel (Luke 1:48-49). Yet, how do they fail to see that the words they want to turn against the Virgin Mary perfectly apply to her, and [...] having listened to the Word of God and observed it? Did Mary not listen to the Word of God, did she not believe it? Did she not put it into practice? Mary replied to the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation, "I

January 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God In the blessed fruit of her womb, Mary found what Eve was looking for Eight days ago we celebrated the birth in Bethlehem of the Son of God who "became a child [...] Ambrose). Today, one week after the birth of Jesus, the liturgy invites us to celebrate the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God: she "who brought to the light the King who rules Heaven and Earth forever" (Entrance [...] the forbidden fruit, Eve violated the image and likeness to God. In the blessed fruit of her womb, Mary, and with her all Christians, found what Eve was seeking: union with God through Christ and likeness

December 31 – Saint Mary Hodigitria (Italy) – Saint Odilo of Cluny, fifth abbot of Cluny (d. 1049) Thank you, Mary who unties knots! Hello, my name is Nathalie, I live in France and would like to testify [...] phone with a friend and colleague when the Holy Spirit inspired her to suggest I do the novena to Mary who unties knots. She was willing to pray this novena with me and suggested that we both set our alarm [...] start when I have the strength", and I fell asleep. I always sleep with the scapular of the Virgin Mary around my neck or under my pillow or hanging from my hand. For me it's a way to cling to her protective

December 30 – Holy Mary of Saint Celsus (Italy, 1485) How Our Lady saved Padre Pio from a violent demonic attack St. Padre Pio was widely known for his holiness and his ability to reconcile sinners to [...] stopped me.” It was said that the cushion found under Padre Pio’s head was put there by the Virgin Mary. Eventually the woman was successfully exorcised from the demon possessing her and was grateful for

Cross, Doctor of the Church (d. 1591) –Last apparition of Mary at L'Île-Bouchard (France, 1947) Saint John of the Cross, a great lover of Mary A young John de Yepes y Álvarez, aged 4, had fallen in a pond [...] or wasn't hurt. John said he was under the protection of the Virgin Mary. He chose the order of the Carmelites, out of love for Mary. The Carmelite brothers helped him to attend the University of Salamanca [...] was trying to get out of the water, a "beautiful lady" – whom he later acknowledged to be the Virgin Mary – held out her hand to help him. John refused to grab her hand because his were covered with sludge

December 15 – Our Lady of Lepanto – Mary Mediatrix God wanted us to receive everything through Mary That the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mediatrix of all graces is not a new doctrine, and the Office and [...] Doctors and servants of Mary refer: everything that is applicable to God by nature is applicable to Mary by grace... It was God's will that we should receive everything through Mary. All the gifts, virtues [...] by the hands of Mary, to whomever she wishes, whenever she wishes, and as much as she wishes... All the feasts and office of the Virgin Mary postulate or express the doctrine of Mary as universal Mediatrix

Blessed Virgin Mary Mary is the icon of our hope Mary's "yes" was truly an agreement, a free, conscious, and unconditional commitment to a project that came from God the Creator (...). Mary was aware that [...] Advent. Yes, Mary recognized that she had been preferred among all women, that she had found favor with God. And it is all these elements that persuaded her to embrace God’s plan. However, Mary also knew [...] fully trusted in the Lord, who never abandons those he entrusts with a mission. In this Advent season, Mary is the icon God gives us to await the feast of Christmas. She is the icon of Hope, Love and Faith