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The Fourth Dolor: Jesus & Mary Meet on the Via Dolorosa

The Fourth Dolor of Our Lady’s heart is tied to the Fourth Station of the Cross. Though not supported by Sacred Scripture, early legends of the Church tell us that Mary journeyed with Jesus on the Via Dolorosa, and “swooned away for anguish of heart” when she saw Him. What must it have been like to behold her Son in such a state of suffering?

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman said this in his reflection on this dolor: Mary would rather have had all his sufferings herself, could that have been, than not to have known what they were by ceasing to be near him. ... He was now carrying the load of the world’s sins, and, all holy though he was, he carried the image of them on his very face. ... what a meeting of Mother and Son! Yet there was a mutual comfort,  for there was a mutual sympathy.

For Reflection:              Read St. Luke’s account of The Way of the Cross (23:26-31). Picture yourself in the scene as one of the women along the way. Imagine the encounter between Mary and Jesus. Journal your thoughts, inspirations, insights, and emotions.

 

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Greater Joy

“God sends us joys before sorrows, to prepare our hearts; but the joys themselves contain prophesies of coming sorrows.”

                                                                        Father Frederick Faber

For Reflection:              Consider the main events of Mary’s life as recorded in Scripture up to this present dolor. They are the Annunciation, The Nativity, The Flight into Egypt, The Presentation, The Loss and Finding of Jesus in the Temple. What is the joy contained in each? What is the prophesy of the sorrow contained in each? For what was God preparing Mary’s heart? Do you think it could also be true that the sorrow also prepares our heart for greater joy? Why might this be the case?

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New Clothes!

“Reclothe oneself, within and without, with the virtues of the Immaculata: the theological virtues and the cardinal virtues, the moral and the religious, so as to become as it were another Mary living, speaking, and working.”

                                                                       Father Stefano Manelli

For Reflection:              Reread Luke 2: 43-52. As you read, jot down the virtues you see in Mary or think would have been necessary for her in this suffering. In what ways do you think Mary lived these virtues prior to this dolor? Which of these virtues do you most need to emulate? How can practicing them now prepare you for potential trials the future may bring? Is there one you need to exhibit now? Ask Mary to procure the grace you need to do so.

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EWTN Update!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michelle Johnson
  Director of Communications
  EWTN Global Catholic Network
  Phone: (205) 795-5769
  E-Mail: mjohnson@ewtn.com
Friday, February 10, 2012

EWTN Responds to Announcement of Religious Accommodation in HHS Healthcare Mandate

 
Irondale, AL – The following statement was released by Michael P. Warsaw, President & Chief Executive Officer of EWTN:
“I am certainly pleased to see that EWTN’s decision to file suit against the recent contraception mandate of the Department of Health and Human Services may have played some role in forcing the administration to revisit the application of these rules on religious institutions. However, we remain quite skeptical that the changes announced by President Obama will in fact address the concerns raised by EWTN.
According to a White House statement, some religious institutions may no longer be required to directly provide insurance coverage for contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs; however, this accommodation may not actually apply to EWTN or actually give any relief to the Network and other similar organizations. Like EWTN many religious institutions self-insure their healthcare plans, meaning that we will still be forced to pay for these services in violation of our religious beliefs. Today’s announcement certainly does not give any hope to countless individual business owners and people of faith who share the concern about being required to provide for these services which they personally find immoral.
EWTN is particularly concerned that the proposed rules for non-exempted religious organizations will still not be finalized until later in the coming year. This leaves EWTN and other such organizations very uncertain about what the future may hold with regard to this mandate. We will continue to consult with our legal counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty to determine the implications of this revised approach; however, our legal action against the administration will continue. “
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Dominicans Launch Nine Days of Prayer and Fasting to Stop HHS Mandate

The Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia, who run Aquinas College in Nashville, have put out a call to the faithful to combat the HHS mandate  by praying and fasting for nine days from Feb. 11 until Feb. 19, to ask Our Lady to intercede on behalf of religious liberty.

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