Mary: the vine, the cedar, the Ark St. Alphonsus notes several additional images of Mary from the Old Testament. Mary is said to be “terrible” to the powers of hell, “as an army in battle array” (Sg 6:10). She is called terrifying because she knows well how to array her power, her mercy, and her prayers, to the defeat of her enemies, and for the benefit of her servants, who in their temptations turn to her most powerful aid. “As... Read more
This week Saint Benedict Press sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a copy of their book A Year with Mary: Daily Meditations on the Mother of God (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 8/07 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Rebecca is an image of Mary In her preparation of food for her husband Isaac, St. Alphonsus notes, Rebecca foreshadowed Mary’s desire to render sinners dear to her Lord. The Old Testament patriarch Isaac desired to eat some wild game. So he promised his blessing to his son Esau if he would procure this food for him. However, Rebecca was anxious for her other son, Jacob, to receive the blessing. So she called him and said, “Go to the flock,... Read more
Saint Benedict Press and Paul Thigpen have recently released yet another volume in their “A Year with” series. Thus far I have reviewed A Year With the Saints: Daily Meditations with the Holy Ones of God by Paul Thigpen. We have also just finished daily posts from Mike Aquilina’s A Year with the Church Fathers: Patristic Wisdom for Daily Living. This year we have A Year with Mary: Daily Meditations on the Mother of God. This is a fine addition... Read more
The Old Testament foreshadowed Mary St. John of Damascus provides multiple examples of the Old Testament foreshadowing of Mary. Inexhaustible goodness of God! Boundless goodness! He who called what did not exist into existence, and filled heaven and earth, whose throne is heaven, and whose footstool is the earth—he has made the womb of his own servant a spacious dwelling place, and in it the mystery of mysteries is accomplished. Being God, he becomes Man, and is marvelously brought forth... Read more
Mary is more spacious than Noah’s ark Though Noah’s ark foreshadowed Mary, St. Alphonsus notes, she’s even more accommodating than that huge ship! Mary has been called an ark more spacious than that of Noah. For only two animals of every kind were brought into the ark of Noah. But under the mantle of Mary, the righteous and sinners all find their place. This was one day revealed to St. Gertrude in a vision. She saw a multitude of wild... Read more
This week I am once again running a special second giveaway. Cord Bands LLC is the sponsor of this giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one of their Rugged Rosaries specifically the Glendalough Celtic Rosary. (you can read my Rugged Rosary review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! EST and will end 12 AM EST 8/04 with a winner being announced later that day. Enter below. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Recently I had an opportunity to check out a unique source for rosaries. You may have seen their advertisements on Facebook. I’m talking about CordBands LLC and their creation Rugged Rosaries. After having my hands on one of these, and using it, I can tell you these rosaries are impressive and a real conversation piece. I was sent one of these for review, in particular the Rattlesnake version. They are called rugged for a reason. Each of these rosaries is... Read more
Mary foreshadowed by Noah’s dove and the rainbow The Fathers of the Church began a long tradition of discovering in the Old Testament figures and events that foreshadow Mary. Here, St. Alphonsus tells how earlier theologians saw Noah’s dove as her symbol. Mary was foreshadowed by the dove that returned to Noah in the ark with an olive branch in its beak as a pledge of the peace that God granted to men (see Gn 8:11). With this in mind,... Read more
Sarah Vabulas is known in the blogging world for her work at her blog The Catholic Drinkie. Recently her first book, The Catholic Drinkie’s Guide to Homebrewed Evangelism was released by Liguori Publications. She and I also recently had an opportunity to discuss her book and our mutual enjoyment of a good homebrewed beer. PETE: For those unfamiliar with your work, can you tell readers how you became The Catholic Drinkie? SARAH VABULAS: Catholic Drinkie came to life when I attended... Read more
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