Apocryphal texts, especially James’ proto-gospel, suggest that Saint Anne, Mary’s mother, was born in Sepphoris, and possibly Mary herself. A three-aisled church built during the Crusades presumably over [...] March 5 – Our Lady of the Miracle (Italy, 1440) Was Mary born in Sepphoris of Galilee? Sepphoris of Galilee (now in Israel) is not mentioned in the Bible but it was one of the most majestic cities in biblical [...] served as a temporary capital under Herod Antipas. What is more, oral tradition has it that the Virgin Mary’s parents resided there. Mount Tabor, where Jesus manifested his glory to his disciples, is not far
apparition in Lourdes (France, 1858) The story of Mary and Joseph inspires artists in New York City Centered around the relationship between the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, “The Miracle of Christmas” is [...] up to the birth of Christ. The show was produced for the third year by the Preachers of Christ and Mary, a community of sisters who are originally from Colombia and who now serve the Diocese of Brooklyn [...] telling this story right now,” said actress Hannah Duran, who was raised Catholic and plays the Virgin Mary. “It’s a message about love and acceptance.” The message of love can be seen in the meticulous planning
Ash Wednesday – Blessed Virgin of Meshech (Moscow, Russia, 1492) Mary is much more than an object of devotion God offers us the Virgin Mary in the same way that He chose her for Himself; He entrusts us to [...] that the Lord was “conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.” More than anyone else, Mary was a disciple of her son. Her life was entirely given to bringing forth the Word of [...] the Church, that we constantly become. Let us not reduce Mary to a saint we should call on now and again. The maternal love of the Virgin Mary is ever present. In God, we are forever her children. Let
apparition in Lourdes (France, 1858) The Virgin Mary is a wonderful matchmaker! Five years ago, I went to Medjugorje and there I wrote a short letter to the Virgin Mary, telling her that I wanted to get married [...] parents of a little boy named Karol. I believe that Mary comes especially for families in Medjugorje: when you think of it, all the visionaries are married! Mary is a wonderful matchmaker! Mélanie, a happy wife
Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1870 and has been a popular sacramental ever since. The Green Scapular is a simple green cloth that has the image of the Virgin Mary on it, with a [...] (d. 1072) – 6th apparition of Lourdes (France, 1858) The Green Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary We all know of someone in our lives who is in need of healing. They might need a physical healing [...] miraculous intervention. About 10 years after Saint Catherine Laboure received visions of the Virgin Mary regarding the Miraculous Medal, a religious sister in her order also experienced miraculous visions
February 13 – Death of Sister Lucia of Fatima (2005) Mary, the "invisible Tsarina" On the night of February 13, 1917, a peasant woman from Botchinki (a suburb of Moscow, Russia) named Eudoxia Adrianova [...] his arrest on March 20th. By the priest's account, Eudoxia added that this icon was the effigy of "Mary, the invisible Tsarina." The first apparition of Fatima took place on May 13th, and it was on July
March 6 – Our Lady of Graces (Padua, Italy, 1630) How Mary stopped the plague on Monte Berico (I) A rare manuscript, kept at the Bertoliana library in Vicenza, Italy, tells in great detail the story of [...] the ground. The strikingly beautiful woman helped her to her feet, and said to her: "I am the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ who died on the cross for the salvation of mankind. Please go and tell the people
February 18 - Saint Bernadette Soubirous (France & Canada) Saint Bernadette's prayer to Mary How happy my soul was, good mother, when I had the good fortune to gaze upon you! How I love to recall the pleasant [...] mere child. You, the Queen of Heaven and Earth chose to use what is weakest in the eyes of men. O Mary, give the precious virtue of humility to she who dares to call herself your child. O loving Mother
March 13 – Our Lady of Rose (Italy, 1635) Mary and Joseph: a different kind of holiness There are two creatures whose holiness is of a completely separate order, that is to say, who have an incomparable [...] and after her, Saint Joseph. All sanctified creatures are sanctified as a result of the Incarnation. Mary and Joseph also received the effects of the Redemptive Incarnation; but first God intended them to
Lady of Tears (Italy, 1522) – 11th apparition in Lourdes (France, 1858) A very concrete way to seek Mary’s intercession At a recent retreat I led for a group of women outside of Tucson, Arizona, the women
