Blessed Virgin Mary

Think Jesus. Here’s the simplest yet most perfect prayer you’ll ever pray: “Jesus.”  The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “The invocation of the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always” (2668). In January the…

by Nicholas Senz Where do feast days come from? Often the answer to this question is simple. Usually feast days commemorate the life of a saint. Sometimes they commemorate events, like the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the…

by Gina Loehr Elizabeth filled with the holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41). So Luke tells us in his Gospel account of the Visitation. As her cousin Mary greets her, the elderly woman, who is nonetheless great with child, speaks through the power of…

by Fr. David J. Endres Editor's note: This column, Outside Perspectives, addresses a religious topic and seeks to find a common element in another faith while emphasizing the Catholic Church's teaching. Christians on pilgrimage in the Holy…

by Fr. Edward Looney Each year Catholics dedicate the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary, affectionately calling it the month of Mary. In fact, each month has a devotional designation: June to Jesus’ Sacred Heart and July to His…

There are two types of Christmas movies: the classics such as Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life and then there are the contemporary Hallmark Channel or Netflix Originals. I’ve heard people lament, especially about the latter,…

O, Mary, my Mother, be my refuge and my shelter. Give me peace in the storm. I am tired on the journey. Let me rest in you. Shelter and protect me. — St. Bernadette Soubirous

Mary shares our human condition, but in complete openness to the grace of God. Not having known sin, she is able to have compassion on every kind of weakness. — St. John Paul II

Only after the last judgment will Mary get any rest; from now until then, she is much too busy with her children. — St. John Vianney

by Jeff Young For centuries Catholics have fostered a special devotion to Mary during the month of May. What child in his or her Catholic school or parish hasn’t been mesmerized by the solemnity and sweetness of the annual May Crowning? I…