The 31 “lessons” and the quotes in this month of March come from the book written by Father John A. Kane entitled The School of Mary: Forty Essential Lessons for Sinners from the Blessed Mother Herself, ©, 1999.
They are used with the permission of Sophia Institute Press.“Mary, being dead to herself, never longed for God to speak to her until He deemed it necessary for the accomplishment of His designs in her regard.”
For Reflection:
What do I think it means that Mary was “dead to herself?” To what extent can I say the same about myself? Am I willing to remain “dead” as I await the accomplishment of God’s designs in me? What about me can help? What can hinder? Which virtue do I need to employ?
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Female lawmakers in the state of Ohio are fighting back against male lawmakers who are trying to "legislate a woman's womb" with a new pro-life bill by introducing their own bill which would require, among other things, that men get a statement from their partner before being given a prescription for erectile dysfunction drugs.
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URGENT PRAYER NEEDED! My dear friends, your prayers are so effective. Everytime I have asked you to pray, the intention has been granted. I am asking now for your prayers for an urgent matter. Please pray -- and if you remember this urgent request through the day, I ask you to KEEP PRAYING! It is a very serious situation. Very serious. Thank you for your receptivity of heart! May God bless you abundantly!
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While addressing U.S. bishops in their ad limina visit last week, Pope Benedict XVI urged bishops to step up their teaching about the evils of premarital sex and cohabitation, and denounced the "powerful" gay marriage lobby in America.
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Even though the media has been creating a false narrative for days which implies that Bishop Joseph Malone of the diocese of Portland is backing away from the fight against same-sex marriage, he told a CNN anchor that he was doing the exact opposite.
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Parishioners at St. John Neumann parish in Gaithersburg, Maryland were informed at Mass this weekend that Father Marcel Guarnizo, who denied Communion to a lesbian Buddhist, has been suspended from ministry.
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“In his perplexity, the person should not ask for a sign from Heaven, but, with filial trust in God, should await the divine comfort with which God will allay his fears and dispel his anxiety at the time best suited to further his spiritual progress.”
For Reflection:
The operative word in the quote above is await. How hard this is! And yet, Mary images this so perfectly for us. What are some of the moments of waiting she endured? Is God asking me to wait right now perhaps for a response to a prayer, a solution for a difficult problem, insight for a deep worry or concern? What does the quote tell me I need to employ? I will ask Mary for her motherly help and assistance.
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“To the superficial observer, the visit of Mary to her cousin may seem a very ordinary event in her life. But how momentous it was to God the Father, who, through the presence of His most favored daughter, wished to sanctify the precursor of His divine Son!”
For Reflection:
This is an amazing quote to reflect upon. What most strikes me about it? I will journal my reflection. In imitation of Mary, I will seek to bring Christ to all those whom I meet today. At the close of the day, I will journal about these instances.
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“Self-knowledge is at the root of all real growth in holiness…Humility is the heart and soul of virtue. It is humility that gives power and efficacy to all we do for God.”
For Reflection:
True humility is in knowing who we are, with all of our strengths and weakness, and who God is, in His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. How do we see Mary’s humility both in the words she speaks at the annunciation and through her Magnificat? Think of three instances in Sacred Scripture where she displays it in her actions. I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me identify my strengths and weaknesses that I might grow in self-knowledge and, thus, Humility.
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While teens in the West are more concerned with boys and their latest Facebook post, an increasing number of young girls in Afghanistan who are married off as young as 14 have resorted to setting themselves on fire in order to end their miserable lives.
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