As a young university student who was looking into the Catholic Church, I was confused because I had been taught to believe God’s revelations were confined to the Bible. I was surprised to learn the Bible itself urges us to follow oral traditions: So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you…… Continue reading Trusting and Resting in the Tradition of the Church
Tag: Mary
Mothers in Control: Holy Vacuum Cleaners?
Ah, mothers. Aren’t they great? Always running around serving, Acting like a combination of Martha and Mary. A+ Mums, who are in control, right? Think again. When any one of us, whether a mother or not, refuses to give up control, we shut out the power of the Holy Spirit. In fact, we end up acting just…… Continue reading Mothers in Control: Holy Vacuum Cleaners?
The Oldest Images of Mary
I found eight of the oldest images of Mary on a site called Church Pop One of the oldest images of Mary was found in the Catacombs and is dated around the 2nd century. A fascinating carving in stone is thought to be from the 3rd century and features the three Magi bringing gifts to the…… Continue reading The Oldest Images of Mary
Asian Interpretations of Mary
We are accustom to beautiful images of Mary picturing her as a white, European. However, she was from the Middle East and most likely looked Middle Eastern. Artist’s models and concepts of beauty are influenced by their culture. Now artists are emerging who are painting Mary as if she was born in their country because…… Continue reading Asian Interpretations of Mary
Images of Mary You Have Never Seen Before
Images of the Virgin, pale, limp, crying with her eyes rolled back in her head do not appeal to me. I like great art and not shoddy paintings or modern images which border on the obscene. So, I have collected 3,509 images of the Madonna on Pinterest which either appeal to me or are of…… Continue reading Images of Mary You Have Never Seen Before
Worth Revisiting: Become Like Children
Some religious people would maintain only a mature, adult Christian can act lovingly, with a conscience. Yet Pope Francis and even Sacred Scriptures disagree with this narrow view. . St. Paul explains God will judge everyone by much how truth God has revealed to them. If a tribe hidden in a jungle has never heard the gospel, God will judge them…… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: Become Like Children
Obscure, Captivating Images of Mary
I really do not like some religious art. You know the type, pale, weak looking saints with their eyes rolled back in their heads as they gaze into heaven, pained expressions on their faces. In some of these works, Mary is contemplative or solemn but there is depth to her. Some picture her as delicate,…… Continue reading Obscure, Captivating Images of Mary
Trusting in 2,000 Years of Experience
When I became a Catholic at 19, I was overjoyed to discover a wealth of wisdom and teaching on prayer, spirituality and the faith. It was like unlocking a door to a vast library of information that had been kept hidden from me . This was information that I could count on, that I could trust…… Continue reading Trusting in 2,000 Years of Experience
The Annunciation Celebrated in Fine Art
The feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25th, celebrates the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, announcing that she has been chosen to be the Mother of God. Most of all it celebrates Mary’s fiat, her willing acceptance of God’s plan, even though she is young, a virgin and in would face censure becoming pregnant in…… Continue reading The Annunciation Celebrated in Fine Art
January 1: Mary, Mother of God
Today we honour Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, Most Holy Mother of God because she is the True Theotokos – God Bearer – Dei Genitrix.Let us pray As we begin this New Year let us accompany the Mother of God in following her Son. Let us fall deeper in love with our Saviour. Today, on this Solemnity of…… Continue reading January 1: Mary, Mother of God
Anticipating His Birth: The Magnificat
Magnificat My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is…… Continue reading Anticipating His Birth: The Magnificat
I Guess That Means God Is In My Feet
As David waited expectantly for my wise answer, I scrambled to think quickly but truthfully. I was preparing dinner one afternoon, when five-year old David came running up to me with a serious look on his face. He was always full of energy and mischief but he also had a delightful spirituality that was not…… Continue reading I Guess That Means God Is In My Feet
Baby Jesus Healed and Loved His Mother
Like all mothers of a newborn, I was tired. No, that is too mild a description; actually I was exhausted and felt completely depleted. I sat in the dark nursing my infant, struggling to centre myself in the Lord’s presence but I could not focus. Suddenly, an unexpected flow of heat, the fire of God’s love flowed…… Continue reading Baby Jesus Healed and Loved His Mother
Small Success Thursday
I could not simply jump into a list of success stories without honouring our Lady because today is the feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe, Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1521 – Our Blessed Mother appeared to San Juan Diego on the Hill of Tepeyac, near Mexico City. It is a marvelous story to tell children. To prove…… Continue reading Small Success Thursday
Advent Wreath Linkup
Our Advent Wreath this year is a not actually a wreath at all but simply a pile of cedar branches, encircling four Advent candles with a simple carving of Mary praying, carved by a dear friend. A bit unusual but fitting because Advent is a time of waiting in prayer and in simplicity for the…… Continue reading Advent Wreath Linkup
Orthodox Icons Celebrate the Immaculate Conception
A visual feast of orthodox icons which celebrate the Immaculate Concepcion of Mary
Paintings of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The mystery of Mary, captured exquisitely throughout history, continues to seize the heart and imagination of artists.
7QT Friday: On Being Pregnant During Advent
# 1. Advent is a special time for pregnant women; two of my pregnancies were during Advent. One baby was born on Christmas Eve and my youngest on Jan. 7, still in the Christmas season. We had just moved to our farm 19 years ago and the children attended a small Catholic school with 10…… Continue reading 7QT Friday: On Being Pregnant During Advent
Without Mary
Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a disciple, a member of his Church. Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a human person. Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a creature. And because of all that, Without Mary…… Continue reading Without Mary
Vote For Me
It’s time to vote for the 2013 Frankie Award! Don’t forget to invite you readers (and friends and family, and fan club) to visit this page and vote for you. Feel free to copy the badge above and link back here from your blog. My post is Mary is Living in my Heart? Help! by Melanie Jean…… Continue reading Vote For Me
joy of nine9 