Our Lady's Discipleship

The Holy Father's Message of Hope for Today

The Holy Father recently spoke about the dark times through which he lived as a youth, speaking of how "Hitler had subjected one country after another, Poland, Denmark, the Benelux States and France, and in April of 1941 -- precisely in this season 70 years ago -- he had occupied Yugoslavia and Greece."

"It seemed that the Continent was in the hands of this power that, at the same time, cast doubt on the future of Christianity," the Pontiff said.

He had joined the "Sodality of Our Lady" as a young man and, although the dissolution of the seminaries hindered it, this bond continued, since "Catholicity cannot exist without a Marian expression."

"To be Catholics means to be Marian ... that in the Mother and by the Mother we find the Lord," he said.

We have great hope in following Our Lady's example of discipleship. To read the full text of his message go here.

Protectress of the Church

On this feast of Saint Agatha, check out pal Frank's post, For Our Lady, the 'Terror of Hell' (and other misbehaving heretical imps, as per above).

Respice Stellam

A rich reflection by the Holy Father on Mary, the Magi, the Star, and the light of Christ our Lord.

Curvatis in se - Mary & the Scimitar

Monsignor Charles Pope strikes the ball out of the proverbial playing ground, in my opinion, with this and this. See what you think.

Θεοτόκος - Mary, Mother of God

Birth of the Virgin - Murillo

Bishop Paul Andre Durocher clarifies our Lady's role in a succinct, beautiful piece here.

The Nativity - Film

While pal Frank over at YIMC lauds the highly-laudable Sound of Music, and rightly so, I recommend a faithfully-told and moving portrayal of the events of our Lady and St Joseph's lives leading up to and including The Nativity.

From a cunning and deadly King Herod to hand-wringing parents of Mary, St Anne and St Joachim, the film depicts the way that Providence works in the warp and weft of the human tapestry of history, always allowing for God's interjection of grace at key moments.

This film will warm, bolster, and prepare you in an exceptional way for the coming of the Christ Child.

Advent Waiting

Waiting