Mary, Mother of the Church St. Louis de Montfort teaches us that Mary is our mother in the order of grace, the Mother of the Church. Since she’s the mother of Christ, the Head of the Mystical Body, then she’s also the mother of all that Body’s members. Just as in the natural and bodily generation of children there are a father and a mother, so in the supernatural and spiritual generation there are a Father, who is God, and a... Read more
Mary, Mirror of Justice If Mary is called a Mirror of Justice, whose justice did she reflect? Blessed John Henry Newman observes that it was the justice of her Son, with whom she lived so closely. When Our Lady is called the “Mirror of Justice,” it is meant to say that she is the mirror of sanctity, holiness, supernatural goodness. But what is meant by calling her a mirror? A mirror is a surface which reflects, such as still water, polished... Read more
What a year 2015 was. It seemed as soon as I finished a book, three more showed up for review consideration. What follows are my top picks of the 50 books I read this past year. I have stated before and will repeat again, these picks by no means lessen the others……they stood out to me as the best of the best shall we say. Without further delay here are the Catholic Book Bloggers top ten of 2015. Praying for... Read more
Mary, Mirror of Virtue St. Ambrose of Milan offers a meditation on Our Lady, reflecting on how her sinlessness would have shaped her thoughts, words, attitudes, and conduct. Let the life of Mary be like a mirror, in which is reflected the form of virtue and the beauty of chastity. In her you can find your pattern of life, for she demonstrates clearly the rules of virtue: what you must correct in yourselves, what you must embrace, and what you must... Read more
Mary, Refuge of Sinners St. Alphonsus explains the ancient origins of the Marian title “Refuge of Sinners.” One of the titles of Mary that is the most encouraging to poor sinners, under which the Church teaches us to invoke Mary in the Litany of Loreto, is that of “Refuge of Sinners.” In Judea in ancient times there were cities of refuge, in which criminals who fled there for protection were exempt from the punish- ments that they had deserved. Today... Read more
O Stella Maris! In darkness and in doldrums, in storms and in shallows, we cry out to Our Lady Stella Maris, Star of the Sea, for safety and certainty in our voyage home to her Son. O brilliant star above the sea, our beacon to eternity, whose beams beyond the surging wave draw all to him who came to save: To heaven’s harbor, through the night, O Stella Maris, be our light! When darkness deepens, storms assail, when charity and... Read more
Mary, Star of the Sea Our Lady has long been called by the title “Star of the Sea.” Just as ancient mariners navigated by the stars, St. Bernard observes, Christians can find their way safely home to heaven if they follow her lovely, shining example of holiness and faith. Mary is the distinguished and bright shining star, lifted up above this great broad sea, gleaming with merits, giving light by her example. If you’re caught between storms and tempests, tossed... Read more
Mary, the second and better Eve Since ancient times, Christian teachers have noted both the parallels and the contrasts between Eve and Mary. Blessed John Henry Newman sums up the traditional teaching about Mary as the “second and better Eve.” Eve had a part in the fall of man, though it was Adam who was our representative, and whose sin made us sinners. It was Eve who began, and who tempted Adam. It was fitting then in God’s mercy that, as... Read more
Mary, Virgin Most Prudent We know little of Mary’s everyday life. But Blessed John Henry Newman reminds us that she doubtless would have had numerous practical obligations, and in performing them perfectly, she would have needed that most practical of virtues, prudence. It may not appear at first sight how the virtue of prudence is connected with the trials and sorrows of Our Lady’s life. Yet there is a point of view from which we are reminded of her prudence... Read more
Mary, Vessel of Honor Mary was a martyr, but in her soul, not her body. Blessed John Henry New- man observes that for the sake of her great honor, she was spared by her Son the bodily dishonor that he and other martyrs had to endure. St. Paul calls elect souls “vessels of honor”: of honor, because they are elect or chosen; and vessels, because, through the love of God, they are filled with God’s heavenly and holy grace (see 2... Read more
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