It is true that the earthquake in Haiti this week has shaken us all. The 
loss of life, the devastation and the impact on the Church in this poorest of poor countries is a tragedy for which there are no words.
And yet, we do know that the words Scripture gives us are true: “For God works all things for the good for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Last evening I attended a lecture given by George Weigel here in Clearwater, FL.
The event was held by Jay and Lisa Kelly who seek to provide local Catholics with the opportunity to hear great Catholic speakers.
Calling their new-found organization Splendor of Truth, the evening begins with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and includes an open bar and dinner.
What wisdom Holy Mother Church has in dedicating the first day of the year to Mary, Mother of God! 
Mary is the Mother of God and she is our mother, too. Her fiat is the genesis of every fiat given to God. And every fiat given to God is enriched by hers. The fathers of the Second Vatican Council state it simply, succinctly, and profoundly: she is our Mother in the order of grace.
This poem, written by Giovanni Domini (1356-142), expresses the maternal beatitude we find so dear. May it elevate our hearts in gratitude to God for the gift of the Blessed Virgin. And may it elevate our hearts to the reality of our salvation which comes through the gift of her Son, Jesus Christ Savior of the World. Read the rest…
What does God want from us? This poem offers us the answer. 
It echoes the one we find in Psalm 51.
What will we give Jesus this Christmas? Is it the gift He truly desires?
Last Wednesday on our radio program, Women of Grace Live (Weekdays 11 AM ET via EWTN Radio or via podcast 
www.womenofgrace.com and Sirius 160) I had a “scathingly brilliant idea”(Hayley Mills, The Trouble with Angels).
Why not post some of our listeners, viewers, and blog readers favorite Christmas recipes? So, I invited everyone to send in their submissions.
The following culinary delights were sent to us by Mike from Terre Haute, Indiana. I’d love to receive your submissions as well. You can do so by sending them to info@womenofgrace.com or by way of “Comments” right here on the blog.
Mike’s recipes follow. Happy cooking and joyful eating! Read the rest…
Back in the early 1990’s, I had the privilege of serving as associate producer for a four-hour television documentary that encompassed the evangelization of Europe and the efforts to bring Christianity to the New World. Called River of
Light, it was produced by British film maker, John Bird, and was part of a series of films he produced about Our Blessed Lady.
Part of my assignment was to join the crew for eight days in Spain where they were producing some key segments for the documentary. It was a blessed experience in many ways and on many levels. One of the most significant moments for me came when we visited the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in the Estremadura in the village of Guadalupe.
What I didn’t realize but came to know was that Our Lady of Guadalupe played a significant role in the life of Christopher Columbus and in the founding of the New World.
One of the great blessings of Catholic radio is its ability to have a significant impact in the lives of those who listen and, as a program provider for EWTN Global Catholic Radio, I have the opportunity to experience this often.
Take this past Monday’s program for example. At the beginning of the program I shared a little about the difference between good fear and morbid fear and the virtue of trust. Apparently, it struck a chord with a lot of our listeners. Following is one email we received. What touched my heart about this woman’s experience is that she began to see God making a difference in her life almost immediately.
When you have finished reading the piece you can find additional information about the topic by listening to the podcast of our program (go to the website www.womenofgrace.com) or you can read my post dated 04/28/09.
May God bless you and meet your deepest need!
Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This prayer, though simple in form, is really a way to take us to the depths of union with God. The following is from The Women of Grace Foundational Study Guide.
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The Rosary is an ancient prayer form that incorporates all three categories of prayer — vocal, meditative, and contemplative. Its name is derived from the word rosarius, meaning a garland or bouquet of roses. This popular devotion has been practiced in teh Chruch for more than a thousand years.
“My daughter, be diligent in writing down every sentence I tell you concerning My mercy, because this is meant for a great number of souls who will profit from it.”
So said Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister M. Faustina Kowalska, a religious sister of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. And so began one of the most influential spiritual movements of our day and time — Divine Mercy.
Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels.
Throughout history many poets have found the angels to be a topic of great inspiration and insight. My final post in 
this short study on the angels features just such a poem. It is written by J. Corson Miller, an American poet who was born in 1883. The time of his death is unknown.
However, we do know that J. Corson Miller was a devout Catholic of whom one critic wrote, “Imagination, passion, facility of musical and expressive word and phrase, lyrical tone — these natural endowments are augmented by education, vision and Catholic faith.”
Interestingly and not without note, Miller pledged his life to Our Lady and promised to be her “consecrated knight in deed and song.” Many of his poems were written about her and to her.
As you read Miller’s poem, Hymn to the Guardian Angel, look for his profoundly Catholic worldview, his knowledge of the faith, and the imagination and passion he employs to communicate it.
