Today, December 12th is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared under this title in Mexico on December 9 and December 12, 1531.
I’d like to share facts about this event in honor of her feast.
“Know, know for sure, my dearest, littlest, and youngest son, that I am the perfect and ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the God of truth through Whom everything lives, the Lord of all things near us, the Lord of heaven and earth…” ~ Our Lady of Guadalupe
Last year I wrote a post on Halloween, All Saints and All Souls Day.
Since it’s that time of year again — can you believe it?! — I’d like to share an updated and improved version of that post.
I’ll explain the connection between these three days and their meaning for Catholics.
In my previous post I listed the five newest saints of the Catholic Church.
These holy men and women, and all the saints, are meant to serve as models for us. They point to our Creator and our ultimate home: heaven.
In honor of the recent canonizations, I’d like to share 10 quotes on heaven.
(And at the end of the post, I have a request for you!)
Last year I wrote a post about the Holy Rosary.
Since October is dedicated to this devotion, and the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th, I’d like to share this post again.
Today, August 22nd the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
From the earliest ages of the catholic church a Christian people, whether in time of triumph or more especially in time of crisis, has addressed prayers of petition and hymns of praise and veneration to the Queen of Heaven. And never has that hope wavered which they placed in the Mother of the Divine King, Jesus Christ; nor has that faith ever failed by which we are taught that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, reigns with a mother’s solicitude over the entire world, just as she is crowned in heavenly blessedness with the glory of a Queen (Venerable Pius XII, Ad Caeli Reginam 1).
During my recent pilgrimage in Lourdes, I witnessed Mary’s Queenship being honored in a number of ways.
One event stood out to me the most. I’d like to share it with you because it connects to today’s feast.
Today, August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This is a Holy Day of Obligation, which means that Catholics must attend Mass.
In 1950, Pope Pius XII wrote on the teaching of the Assumption:
The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory (Munificentissimus Deus 44).
The Solemnity of the Assumption — known as the Dormition of Mary in the Eastern Churches — is a special day for me and an important day for all Christians.
From May to October 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal.
She appeared to Francisco and Jacinta Marto (now canonized saints) and Lúcia dos Santos on the thirteenth day of each month.
Mary referred to herself as “the Lady of the Rosary” and told the children to pray the Rosary every day for peace in the world.
She also told them to pray and sacrifice for sinners in order to save souls from going to hell.
Since we celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Fátima on May 13th, I want to share 13 quotes on the Rosary.
