I hope those of you who are women had a blessed and happy Mother's Day. Each of us, as women, are called to be mother. Some have been called to be a biological mother or an adoptive mother, but each of us, by virtue of our femininity has been called to be "spiritual mother." Perhaps that is why I spent a good portion of my Mother's Day thinking about our Blessed Mother. She is the pre-eminent and most exalted icon of spiritual maternity. In her we see the realization of the feminine ideal, the perfect woman, who identifies every woman's call and mission.
On this precious day do not forget to send flowers to your love ones, even if they are not in the same country, you can use this flower delivery to Mexico City and show them your truly love.
Have you heard of the Eucharistic Miracle approved in Poland? What does it have to do with our day in time? What does it tell us about God's mercy? This is just what we discussed last week during a special Women of Grace Live radio program with our staff journalist, Sue Brinkmann, OCDS, to talk about a Eucharistic Miracle in Poland that was recently declared by the Catholic Church to be authentic.
This is a beautiful tribute to Mother Angelica that was shared by our friend and Women of Grace Television guest, Kathy Labosh.
by Kathy Labosh
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – MARCH 3, 2015: The icon of Resurrection from Church of the Holy Sepulchre by unknown artist.On Easter Sunday, a very dear nun, Mother Angelica passed away. She has been in my living room off and on for years on her EWTN television show. Her words were often opportune. However since her death, she seems to have come in a whole new way. EWTN is running clips of her all day and she has been speaking directly into my world.
It is natural to express thanksgiving for being released from difficult trials and circumstances. But who would be grateful for those who cause such difficult trials or circumstances? This is the stuff of saints — the very stuff of which Saint Josephine Bakhita was made.
I'm re-posting this blog which was written several years ago. It contains a four point plan to help you make this a good Lent and some wisdom from my granddaughter Julia. At the bottom, I've shared the podcast from yesterday's Women of Grace Live radio program as well as my Lenten themed e-book. During the program we talked about this blog and had a lively, thought-provoking discussion about it. Please read, listen and share.
May God bless you abundantly this Lent.
This morning, my somewhat precocious six year old granddaughter and I had a conversation over breakfast:
“Grandma,” she said gazing out of the kitchen window in our Florida home.
“Yes, Julia?” said I.
“Pretty soon Easter will be here because it is Spring outside.”
“Yes, you are right. Ash Wednesday is this week and that begins the season of Lent.”
It was my great pleasure to have Fr. Wade Menezes as my guest today on the Women of Grace Live radio program here at EWTN studios to discuss the Year of Mercy and the abundant graces Our Father God is be pouring out upon us during this Extraordinary Jubilee Year. I invite you to watch the recording below. Be sure to tune in next week for another broadcast with Fr. Wade in which we will delve deeper into the topic of mercy. Please be sure to watch and share this important message with your friends and loved ones.
In my reliquary, I have a first class relic of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American to be canonized. I find it appropriate that a woman was the first of our land to be lifted to the altar of Christ by Holy Mother Church. After all, our country and all of North America is dedicated to the woman: the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our special patroness is also the Blessed Mother under her name, Immaculate Conception.
Magnificat Central Service Team (CST) Member
A few weeks ago, I was privileged, along with CST sister, Diane Bates, to attend the Benedicta Leadership Institute and the National Women of Grace Conference held in Diane's home parish, St. Francis of Assisi in Grapevine, Texas. What Divine Providence! Nothing is coincidence! The amazing thing was that Johnnette Benkovic had invited Living Praise Worship Team to lead the praise and worship at both events. It was the first time Magnificat CST members, Grapevine Magnificat Chapter's Leadership, Women of Grace Regional Representatives, and Living Praise were all celebrating under one roof! Coming together under the same anointing was a beautiful experience that only the Holy Spirit could have orchestrated! What a holy exchange of sacred sisterhood!
Women of Grace Founder and President Johnnette Benkovic speaks passionately during the 2015 Women of Grace Conference at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine. (Photo by Lance Murray / NTC)
GRAPEVINE -- “The Holy Spirit is illuminating the minds and hearts of the daughters of God to the reality of who they truly are in light of the great gift of their authentic femininity,” said Johnnette Benkovic, Women of Grace founder, during the 2015 Women of Grace National Conference Oct. 23-25 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grapevine.
