The month of October has always been special to me. For one thing, I love the fall season, and in October, autumn is in full swing. Also, fifteen years ago this October, I said, “I do,” to the most wonderful man in my world, and we began a beautiful and blessed life together. Last October, I shared on my blog how the month of October is dedicated to the Rosary in the Catholic tradition, through my series 31 Days With Mary….
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…
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…
Today, is the Feast of St. Luke, who is one of the Gospel writers as well as the author of Acts of the Apostles. Luke is known for having a close connection with the Blessed Mother and receiving much of what he included in his writings from her. He also is known to have painted images of Jesus and Mary. He is the patron saint of artists, brewers, butchers, doctors, notaries, painters, physicians and surgeons. According to Catholic Online, “It is…
Originally published on Dec. 29, 2010. Remembering the story of some special Rosaries on the 17th day of 31 Days With Mary, during this Month of the Rosary. My husband and I attend a silent Ignatian retreat every year (separately, of course). The order of priests and brothers that puts on the retreat has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, which has granted them (and all those associated with them) the same merits that a traditional Rosary grants. Part of the retreat’s prayer…
Yesterday, I mentioned the idea of celebrating feast days within the home. When hearing this idea for the first time, perhaps it sounds daunting. Especially for overwhelmed moms (like myself, ahem!), celebrating feast days could just seem like one more thing to do. But perhaps I can assure you that celebrating feast days can be super simple and completely organic in nature. Meaning, there are no rules to celebrating feast days within the domestic church. As long as a feast day is…
One of the last things Jesus did before he died was give us His mother Mary to be our mother. From the Gospel of John, “‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (19:26-27). Jesus’ final words not only pertained to Mary and John, they also included me and you and allof humanity. “Jesus Christ, after having given us all he could give, that…
On Friday, I shared a bit about my grandma’s influence in my journey toward Marian devotion. I thought I’d share a bit more about her the impact she has had in my life today … The two things I remember most about my grandma are that she had a beautiful devotion to the Rosary and she spent a great deal of time knitting. She probably prayed and knitted at the same time! Her knitting was really a ministry of sorts….
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, during the month of the Rosary! I discovered a lovely reflection on the Rosary in my archives, and I thought it would be #WorthRevisiting today: All the supreme teachers, the popes, have been unanimous in proclaiming that the devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Rosary are the hope and salvation of the world in our evil and dangerous era. They have endeavored, by word and example, to bring the…