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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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Every time we profess the Nicene Creed, we affirm our belief that Jesus Christ is inseparably true God and true man. "For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man."

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“Don’t be discouraged if you do not see the good you do. Most of the time people are helped through obscurity, their hidden sacrifices, instead of the fervor of a clamoring apostolate. Above all, let us try to lay aside our own ego, for this is what ruins everything. 

                                                           - Venerable Thecla Merlo 

For Reflection: 

Dear St. Sylvester, 

You were the Vicar of Christ when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism  caused great discord and division within the Church. How often you must have felt the pain and suffering being endured by the body of Christ! But, instead of losing courage, you persevered and the Church came through this difficult time. Today, I ask for your intercession. Obtain for me the grace I need to remain steadfast in adversity, courageous in contradiction, and persevering in trial. Thank you for your prayers and supplications on my behalf. Amen.

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Homeschoolers won a major victory in Ohio last week when a state senator was forced to withdraw a controversial homeschooling bill that would have subjected homeschooling parents to a host of oppressive regulations.

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For the first time in three decades, the Chinese government has officially eased its restrictive one-child policy and is now allowing couples to have a second child if one parent was an only child.

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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

The growing backlash by Christians and traditional marriage supporters against the censoring of Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has many wondering if the country has finally had enough of the shameless bullying by gay activists.

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“Without the Way, there is no going; without the Truth, there is no knowing;

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                                        “The whole company of saints bears witness to the unfailing truth

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“How great a gift of grace is here!

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The sad tradition of holiday attacks on Christians around the world continued again this year as 37 Christians lost their lives in Iraq in three separate bombings on Christmas day, while Pope Francis implored the world to pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith.

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