Closing Prayer to Our Lady
O Mary, our Mother, with thine arms outstretched –
those tender arms in which the eternal God
delighted to dwell when He became our blood Brother –
plead our cause. With thine eyes of mercy,
beseech of Him for us, thy children,
the grace that in our exile we may resemble thee,
His most devoted follower, and so at last,
in union with thee, may glorify Him forever!
For Reflection:
Which of these sentiments, petitions, desires most expresses my heart and why?
Experts are concerned about the latest trend among young girls – watching internet videos in which girls make themselves up to look like real life Barbie dolls with perfect hair, skin and makeup.
The parents of two British tourists who were savagely gunned down in a racially motivated crime by a young black man in Sarasota, Florida last spring accused President Barack Obama of finding no “political value” in acknowledging the crime as he did when a white man gunned down a black teen last month.
“…since the measure of our grace will always be inferior to [Mary’s}, we must adorn our souls with virtue through correspondence with the degree of grace that God bestows on us. Thus will we walk in her footsteps and, like her, grow in humility, in purity, and in love of God.”
For Reflection:
Of all the lessons presented this month, which one lesson do I most need to learn? What virtues does this lesson require? Using a particular examination of conscience (see page 45 of the Women of Grace Journal in the link below) what strategies can I employ to make this lesson a pattern of my life?
http://www.womenofgrace.com/App_Uploads_Docs/Journals/women_of_grace_journal_issue_7.pdf
During an interview with Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor last night, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York said he believes the Obama administration and its supporters are attempting to divide the Catholic Church.
An Australian drug maker announced this week that testing of a new antiviral compound aimed at curing the common cold has met with “stunning success.”
In between the massive public events that marked his trip to Cuba this week, Pope Benedict XVI skillfully used the visit to intercede for the faithful in a variety of ways, from asking Cuban President Raul Castro to reinstate Good Friday as a holiday to pleading for the release of political prisoners.
On the XXVII World Youth Day, which will be celebrated at the diocesan level this Palm Sunday throughout the Catholic world, Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging youth to be “missionaries of joy.”
“As our chief duty in life is the sanctification of our souls, we should strive with all our powers to advance to that standard of perfection that God has determined for each one of us. We should use all our efforts to grow daily in divine love.”
For Reflection:
With a frank look at my own heart, what do I consider to be the chief duty in my life? What attitudes of heart, ideas, and behaviors need to be amended to help my spiritual life take first position? Am I willing to apply my efforts in this direction – why or why not?
