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The shutting down of a Bible study group in California and the ruling of the Mt. Soledad Memorial as unconstitutional made the list of the top ten anti-Christian acts of 2011 in the U.S.

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A new study by European researchers has found that today's woman is twice as likely to suffer from depression compared with 40 years ago because of the struggle to manage both family and career.

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“In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.”                                                       St. Therese of Lisieux

For Reflection: 

Read a biographical sketch of St. Therese’s life (you can access a complete biography at www.littleflower.org ) When might Therese have sought recourse to Mary’s “glance?”

Consider the life of Our Lord. At what moments would Mary's glance have helped dissipate His fear? Meditate on this for a few minutes. In your life right now, in what one way do you most need to experience Mary’s glance? Ask her to look your way. Sit with her gaze upon you until you feel at peace.

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The Connecticut Medical Examiner who conducted the post-mortems on the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of December 14 has asked geneticists at the University of Connecticut to conduct a study of the killer's DNA to look for clues as to why he carried out the mass murder.

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“Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides shelter and strength for the sinner.”

                                                                        St. Anthony of Padua 

For Reflection:

If Mary is the “city of refuge,” in what part of her would we experience most fully her love and beatitude? How has she been a city of refuge for you? What quality of her motherhood of all men does this express according to the quote? Note the use of the word “the” in the phrase, “Mary is the ‘city of refuge.’” What does this indicate to you? What does it indicate in light of Mary’s role in God’s plan of salvation?

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Mary Virgin and Mother

Oh, Virgin Joy of all the world art thou

In whose white, fragrant steps the countless throng

On souls elect doth follow God with song:

Creation’s Queen, whose bright and holy brow

The multitude of Saints, like stars, endow

With changeful splendors, flashing far and strong:

 

The Main unshadow’d by the primal wrong:

God’s Lily, chosen in His shrine to bow

All these thy glories are, and still a grace

More high, more dread, and yet more sweet and fair,

Doth bind thy royal brows, O Mary blest.

God called thee Mother; yea, His sacred face

The tender likeness of thine own doth wear.

And thou art ours --- we trust Him for the rest.

St. Elizabeth Seton

For Reflection:

Today is the Solemnity of Mother of God. What references do we see to this title of Mary in the Saint’s poem? Which touches you most deeply and why? Consider the title the Saint gives to Our Lady – Creation’s Queen. Ponder the way in which all of creation’s surrender to God is found most perfectly in Mary’s “fiat” to God. Journal your thoughts. How can you unite your “yes” to God in hers?

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