Theme: Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of the Savior. Mary, the Mother of God, waits patiently for the birth of her Son and Savior, Jesus Christ to Whom she has given her life.

Grace: I pray for the grace of Marian surrender and anticipation of the Savior during this holy Advent and Christmas season.

In this Women of Grace® video, we are going to enter into a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary under her highest and oldest of titles, Mother of God. We will learn how this title came to be, when it came to be, what the Church has said about Mary in this regard throughout the ages, and how we can increase our devotion to her under this title. It is a perfect topic to consider during this holy season of advent – a time of expectation and preparation for the birth of Christ.

“God could make a bigger world or a wider Read the rest…

“The first thing which kindles ardor in learning is Read the rest…

“The Blessed Mary certainly did the Father’s will Read the rest…

Her Feet Shod with Holiness 

And, if our faith had given us nothing more
Than this Example, of all Womanhood,
So mild, so merciful, so strong, so good,
So patient, so peaceful, loyal, loving pure~
This were enough to prove it higher and truer
Than all the creeds the world had known before.
Virgin, who lovest the poor and lonely,
If the loud cry of a mother’s heart
Can ever ascend to where thou art,
Into thy blessed hands and holy
Receive my prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Let the hands that bore our Savior bear it
Into the awful presence of God;
For thy feet with holiness are shod,
And, if thou bearest it, he will hear it.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

For Reflection:

What qualities does Longfellow cite that underscore for him why Mary is the “Example of all Womanhood”? How have we seen these virtues expressed in the excerpts from A Woman Wrapped with Silence? Which of these virtues do I need most to acquire? What does the poet admit is the benefit of offering our prayers to Jesus through Mary, His Mother?

Tall men were these, the shepherds come Read the rest…

A little girl had wandered in the night, and now within Read the rest…