God could not make a creature more holy than Mary St. Leonard of Port Maurice concludes that in making Mary his mother, he gave her the best of everything. God could create an infinity of suns, one more brilliant than the other; an infinity of worlds, one more marvelous than the other; an infinity of angels, one more holy than the other. But a creature more holy, more ravishing, more gracious than his mother he could not make. For in... Read more
In Mary, heaven embraced earth The Marian prayers of St. Bernard of Clairvaux abound with lovely and powerful images to be relished and pondered. Here, he speaks of heaven’s embrace of earth when God became Man in Mary’s womb. Mary, our Mother, the whole world reveres you as the holiest shrine of the living God, for in you, the salvation of the world dawned. The Son of God was pleased to take human flesh from you. You have broken down... Read more
Mary, who can repay you? St. Augustine of Hippo begins his prayer to Our Lady with words of grati- tude, trusting that what seems to him like a meager offering of praise will nevertheless be rewarded by her intercession. Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay you with praise and thanks for rescuing a fallen world by your generous consent? What songs of praise can our weak human nature offer in your honor, since it was through you that we... Read more
Mary, guide me in the way of salvation St. Thomas Aquinas is widely known for his carefully reasoned analysis of theological matters. But in this prayer, we hear his heart rise up in sweet devo- tion to Our Lady, passionate in his praise and gratitude. Most blessed and sweet Virgin Mary, Mother of God, filled with all ten- derness, daughter of the most high King, Lady of the angels, mother of all the faithful: On this day and all the... Read more
This week we have two titles to give away! One lucky winner will receive a copy of Summer Meditations by Father John Bartunek and sponsored by publisher Liguori Publications (you can read the review here) and will receive one copy of Meet Your Spiritual Father: A Brief Introduction to St. Josephby Mark Miravalle and sponsored by Lighthouse Catholic Media (you can read the review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below.... Read more
Mary, mountain of shade St. Germanus gathers together a great heap of common Marian images in this hymn of love to the Blessed Mother. But he adds as well some that are uniquely his, giving us reason to pause and consider their meaning. Hail, Mary, full of grace! You are more holy than the saints, higher than the heavens, more glorious than the angels, more venerable than every creature. Hail, heavenly paradise of fragrance, lily giving off the sweetest scent,... Read more
Just a few short months ago I shared with you a little seasonal meditation book by Father John Bartunek called Spring Meditations. Just as surely as we went from spring to summer we also have another book in the series. Summer Meditations is your twelve week companion through the season of summer and like its spring counterpart this little book is a deep source for renewal. This book offers twelve weekly meditations, one for each week of the season, just... Read more
Mary’s long passion after Calvary The English poet Francis Thompson acknowledges the terrible pain that Mary must have suffered as she stood by the Cross. But he proposes that she endured “a longer Calvary” in the following years, as she waited for death to reunite her at last with her Son. O Lady Mary, thy bright crown is no mere crown of majesty; for with the reflex of his own resplendent thorns Christ circled thee. The red rose of this... Read more
Review by Michele Craig Mark Miravalle begins his book Meet Your Spiritual Father: A Brief Introduction to St. Joseph by sharing the importance of St. Joseph as a key intercessor in our lives. He explains from his personal experience that “ At the greatest times and also the most trying times of my life, St. Joseph has been there as the “Mirror of Patience,” the “Terror of Demons,” and the “Glory of Home Life,” making up for my failings through... Read more
Mary returns home to weep for Jesus St. Alphonsus imagines the first hours Mary spends at home after returning from Jesus’ burial. After accompanying Jesus’ body to the tomb, and adoring the Cross as she passed by it, Mary returned home. Once she arrived, the afflicted mother cast her eyes around, and no longer saw her Jesus. Instead of the sweet presence of her dear Son, the memory of his beautiful life and cruel death presented itself before her eyes.... Read more
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