True devotion to Mary is constant and disinterested St. Louis de Montfort identifies the last two of five characteristics of a genu- ine devotion to Mary. True devotion to Our Lady is constant. It confirms the soul in good, and it doesn’t let it easily abandon its spiritual exercises. It makes it courageous in opposing the world in its fashions and maxims, the flesh in its weariness and pas- sions, and the Devil in his temptations. So a person truly... Read more
True devotion to Mary is interior, tender, and holy St. Louis de Montfort identifies the first three of five characteristics of a genuine devotion to Mary. True devotion to Our Lady is interior. That is to say, it comes from the spirit and the heart. It flows from the esteem we have of her, the high idea we have formed of her greatness, and the love which we have for her. True devotion is tender; that is to say, full... Read more
All things to all people St. Alphonsus notes that because of Mary’s desire to bring mercy to all, she has accommodated herself to the needs of all. When the Samaritans refused to receive Jesus Christ and his teachings, St. James and St. John asked him whether they should command fire to fall from heaven and devour them. Our Lord replied, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of ” (Lk 9:55). It’s as if he were saying,... Read more
This week Our Sunday Visitor sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of Casting Nets: Grow Your Faith by Sharing Your Faith by Chris Stewart and Tony Brandt (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12 AM EST 10/30 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Two stories of conversion through Mary St. Alphonsus tells of two men in quite different circumstances who had one thing in common: Through Our Lady’s intervention, they were converted. A man in Germany once fell into a serious sin. Through shame he was unwilling to confess it. But because he was unable to endure the remorse of his conscience, he went to throw himself into a river. Just as he was about to end his life, he hesitated. Weeping, he... Read more
There have been a number of books released over the past few years on the topic of the new evangelization. Though evangelization is not really new, there has merely been a new emphasis placed on it, the techniques to succeed at evangelization can be. In Casting Nets: Grow Your Faith by Sharing Your Faith, Chris Stewart and Tony Brandt offer their insights and ideas on what methods work. It’s a great guide for those interested in sharing their faith with... Read more
Mary prevents someone from a moral relapse St. Alphonsus recalls how Our Lady forcefully kept a man who showed her devotion from falling back into sinful habits. Another wonder involving Our Lady’s intercession was reported by Fr. Paul Segneri in the work entitled Christian Instructed. The story of a young man being freed from immoral habits through devotion to her was recounted in a homily by Fr. Nicholas Zucchi in Rome. A captain in the congregation, who for many years... Read more
Mary rescues a priest from sin St. Alphonsus recounts a story from the life of St. Francis Borgia, when a priest who was desperately in need of repentance receives help from Mary. “Father,” a priest once confessed to an associate of St. Francis Bor- gia, “I’m a priest and a preacher, but I’m living in sin, and I despair of God’s mercy. One day I preached a sermon against those who are obstinate in sin and afterward despair of God’s... Read more
Mary appears to Brother Conrad The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi collects anecdotes from the lives of the saint and his first followers. In this story, Brother Conrad and Brother Peter discover the sweetness of seeing Our Lady and her Child. One day, Brother Conrad went into the forest to meditate on God. Brother Peter followed him to see what would happen to him. Brother Conrad began to beg the Virgin Mary, with great fervor and devotion, to... Read more
Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is recognized by millions of people as the friendly face and soothing voice of ideal Catholic womanhood. Yet her frequent appearances on radio and television, many books, and dynamic speaking engagements have established her as a mainstay in the lives of anyone devoted to seeking to live according to strong Christian values, to improving their family relationships, and making a powerful impact on their communities. Her universal, compassionate and relatable approach has catapulted her into the mainstream... Read more
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