The little known feast of Our Lady of Expectation occurs on December 18, a week before Christmas and a time the Church refers to as "the Week of Expectation." It originated in Spain at the Tenth Council of Toledo (AD 656) and was granted to the faithful who felt that because the Annunciation always falls during Lent, there is insufficient time given to celebrate the exalted state of Our Lady's divine maternity. The Feast of Our Lady of Expectation arose as a substitute and came to be known as a "mini-Annunciation."
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The Word of God moves swiftly; He is not won by the lukewarm, nor held fast by the negligent. Let your soul be attentive to His word; follow carefully the pat God tells you to take, for He is swift in His passing.
- St. Ambrose, On Virginity
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I vividly desire that a church be built on this site, so that in it I can be present and give my love, compassion, help and defense, for I am your most devoted mother...to hear your laments and to remedy all your miseries, pains and sufferings.
-The Blessed Mother to St. Juan Diego
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This weekend I spoke at the
Diocese of Allentown's Inaugural Women's Conference. It was a tremendous blessing and honor to meet Bishop John Barres, speak alongside Helen Alvare, Founder of
Women Speak for Themselves, and meet the beautiful women of the Diocese of Allentown.
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I could not go another day, without thanking the
Women of Grace and Benedicta Leadership event team. I had the best experience going to retreat in Malvern, PA this year.
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I find it a bit spiritually amusing that I am replying to a blog about women covering their heads in Church since I only recently have taken up the custom again.
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Nine-year-old Lucia dos Santos looked into the angry face of her mother and wondered if this was what the Beautiful Lady meant when she said Lucia would suffer. Little Lucia had never experienced such fury from her mother, nor had her mother ever called her a liar before. Indeed, her heart was deeply saddened. Yet a warm glow filled her whenever she thought about the Lady from Heaven who had visited her and her younger cousins, Jacinta and Francisco.
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I hope those of you who are women had a blessed and happy Mother's Day. Each of us, as women, are called to be mother. Some have been called to be a biological mother or an adoptive mother, but each of us, by virtue of our femininity has been called to be "spiritual mother." Perhaps that is why I spent a good portion of my Mother's Day thinking about our Blessed Mother. She is the pre-eminent and most exalted icon of spiritual maternity. In her we see the realization of the feminine ideal, the perfect woman, who identifies every woman's call and mission.
On this precious day do not forget to send flowers to your love ones, even if they are not in the same country, you can use this flower delivery to Mexico City and show them your truly love.
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Have you heard of the Eucharistic Miracle approved in Poland? What does it have to do with our day in time? What does it tell us about God's mercy? This is just what we discussed last week during a special Women of Grace Live radio program with our staff journalist, Sue Brinkmann, OCDS, to talk about a Eucharistic Miracle in Poland that was recently declared by the Catholic Church to be authentic.
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Anthony and Simon
A friend recently shared that he had read this Catholic Exchange article about my husband that was written by Heidi Hess Saxton following my husband's death in 2007. There is rarely a week that goes by that I am not asked to pray for a grieving mother or loved one who has lost someone dear to them. I am posting this article today for you to share with a friend or family member, parishioner or client, health care professional or co-worker, anyone you know about, who may need some words of encouragement. May it bless you and may it bless them. Thank you, Tony, for calling this article to my attention. It blessed me. You are a good man.
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