I can hardly believe I made it! Thirty-one straight days of writing about one of my favorite topics, the Blessed Mother, in one of my favorite months, October, the month of the Rosary. Today is Halloween, and it is busy! I talked about busyness yesterday, and I pondered how Mary would have handled it. We are gearing up for a fall birthday party with Greg’s side of the family, followed by trick-or-treating on this rainy Halloween. This morning, I am…
As I ran errands this week, I noticed the inevitable: stores decorating and displaying Christmas items. The Halloween section was being consolidated, while the Christmas gift wrap was being set up in the very next aisle. Whenever I start to see Christmas coming too early, I get a bit panicky. Suddenly, I feel as if I am behind with the extra to-dos that this season brings. I have to remind myself that I still have an entire month before Advent…
Perhaps I should have planned on sharing this book on a Monday, but sometimes our plans don’t work out the way we would like them to. So, I am coming to you on a Thursday with a wonderful book that will inspire your personal devotion to Our Blessed Mother and equip you with a myriad of ways to pray, honor, and celebrate her within your family. Mondays With Mary by Meredith Henning is my favorite go-to book for planning feast…
I missed Day 27 (yesterday) of my 31 Days With Mary series, because it was my 14th wedding anniversary! I spent part of my day cleaning out my front closet, which I am still working on. And I spent the other part of my day celebrating with my husband and children. It was a great day! Today, Day 28, I am joining the Yarn Along link up to share what I am reading and what I am about to start…
Originally posted July 16, 2015 My family’s relationship with Our Lady of Mount Carmel began five years ago when my oldest daughter was entering second grade. Days leading up to Our Lady’s feast day on July 16, she asked me if she would be enrolled in the [Confraternity of the] Brown Scapular, after she received her First Holy Communion. I was blown away by her question, because I didn’t know she knew what that meant! I barely knew what that meant! When I made…
Prayer is powerful beyond limits when we turn to the Immaculata who is queen even of God’s heart. —Saint Maximilian Kolbe— Do you have a favorite mystery of the Rosary? One that causes more reflection and contemplation in your prayer life? One that makes you slow down during prayer and savor every moment? Recently, I was asked this same question, and I have to admit, I was a bit stumped. I had never thought about a favorite mystery. Quickly, I…
When people love and recite the rosary they find it makes them better. —St. Anthony Mary Claret— Feast Day: Oct. 24 There is one week left in this 31-day writing challenge. It has not been easy, but I am so glad I am doing it. Thinking and writing about Our Blessed Mother has renewed my devotion to her. While I have not forgotten her significant role in our Church and my own life, I have felt as if I have received the…
Some days, all I have to offer is one, simple Hail Mary. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Today is Day 22 of this 31-day writing challenge! Today also is the feast day of an incredible—and brand new—saint: St. John Paul II. St. John Paul II is known as a “Marian giant,” meaning he had great devotion to Our Blessed Mother and taught prolifically on her role in our faith. In fact, the motto of his entire 27-year papacy was Totus Tuus, which is Latin for totally yours, referencing his belonging to Our Lady, and based on the…
She who is the Mother of Sorrows and also the Mother of Consolation, can understand you completely and help you. —St. John Paul II—