Podcasts about blessed mother

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Megan Harrington, senior producer at Family Theater Productions and producer and executive producer of Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story. Producer and Executive Producer Megan Harrington is a senior producer at Family Theater Productions. She serves as producer, co-director, and co-writer of the Emmy® and Christopher Award-winning Playing Like a Girl: The House That Rob Built and the award-winning Native Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer. She is also the producer and co-writer of the Gabriel and Christopher Award-winning PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton and The Dating Project, and a producer on the upcoming documentary Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story. Her passion lies in telling authentic and heroic stories that illuminate what is true, good, and beautiful. “Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story” shows how the Blessed Mother still reaches out to people today, even in a city alley next to a dumpster. Kevin Matthews' unexpected encounter with a broken statue reveals the timeless power of Mary's maternal care for the forgotten and spiritually wounded. This resonates with Catholic and non-Catholic audiences alike, who are hungry for modern stories of hope.   Links for this Episode:  Official Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story Website

This prayer appeals to God in all three persons of the Blessed Trinity, as well as to our Blessed Mother, for their assistance in making a good confession. The transcription for this Podcast can be found at https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayer-for-heavenly-aid.html An Additional Link Mentioned In This Podcast: An Examination of Conscience  

Lauretta hosts the program today and shares that it is the Blessed Mother's Birthday.  She thanks the prayer warriors and recaps the shooting Annunciation a week ago and offers up prayers for all impacted.  Lauretta then welcomes her guess, Dr. Mary Amore, Director of Mayslake Ministries.  Mayslake Ministries is a sacred center for spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, and spiritual formation serving adult Catholic Christian men and women who seek to deepen their walk with Christ. They have an upcoming event; A Joyful Evening of Conversation with Fr. Tony Pizzo offering reflections and personal stories about Pope Leo on Friday, September 26th at 7:00p.m.  To learn more about their organization, program and events please go to their website at mayslakeministries.org. You can also reach them by phone at 630-841-9000. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish

Read Online“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20–21Today we celebrate one of the most consequential birthdays in the history of the world! Certainly, the only birthday more important is that of our divine Lord Himself. But today we honor His mother, and our mother, too.The Blessed Virgin Mary was born into our world without the stain of original sin. She was preserved from experiencing fallen human nature through the gift of her Immaculate Conception. Thus, she was the first to be born in the perfection of human nature after the fall, and she continued to experience this grace throughout her life, responding to God with her free will every step of the way.All of us enjoy celebrating our birthdays. Children especially love it, but most everyone looks forward to that special day each year when family and friends honor them and celebrate them in a special way. For that reason, we can be assured that even our Blessed Mother loved her birthday while here on earth and continues to enjoy this special celebration in Heaven. Of course, she did not enjoy her birthday because she wanted to be pampered or given special attention. She, perhaps more than anyone other than her divine Son, rejoiced on her birthday because of the deep spiritual gratitude she had to God for all that He did in her life.Try to ponder the heart and soul of our Blessed Mother from her perspective. She would have been intimately united to each person of the Most Holy Trinity throughout her life. She would have known God, living in her soul, and would have been in awe of what God had done to her. She would have pondered these graces with deep humility and exceptional gratitude. She would have seen her soul and mission from the perspective of God, keenly aware of all that He had done for her.As we honor the birthday of our Blessed Mother, it's also an important opportunity for each of us to ponder the incredible blessings that God has bestowed upon each one of us. No, we are not Immaculate as Mother Mary was. We were each born into original sin and have sinned throughout our lives. But the blessings of grace, given to each one of us, is exceptionally real. We only need to work to have the eyes to see these graces. Baptism, for example, bestows upon the soul an eternal transformation. Though our sin may cloud that transformation at times, the transformation is eternal. Our souls are changed. We are made new. Grace is poured into our hearts, and we become children of God. And for the soul who is able to perceive the countless other ways that God bestows blessings, gratitude is the only appropriate response.Reflect, today, upon the glorious celebration of the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Begin by trying to rejoice in her life through her eyes. Try to imagine what she saw as she looked into her own graced soul. From there, try to rejoice, also, in your soul. Be grateful for all that God has done for you. Work to have eyes that see these countless graces and allow yourself to rejoice in God's blessings with our Blessed Mother. My dearest Mother, happy birthday! Today I rejoice in the incredible gift that God gave to you in your Immaculate Conception and birth into our world. I pray that I may honor you in a fitting way this day and to especially understand more clearly the beauty of your graced soul. Pray for me that I may also rejoice in the countless graces bestowed upon me by our merciful God. I love you, dear Mother. Precious Jesus, through the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I trust in You!  Image: Domenico Ghirlandaio, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this episode, Dr. Peter Howard shares his personal journey of faith, highlighting the pivotal role of Marian devotion in his life. He discusses the significance of consecration to the Blessed Mother and how it serves as a source of comfort and hope in challenging times. RETREAT OPPORTUNITY Go to Ireland with Dr. Howard!Get a copy of Dr. Howard's Book "The Woman:The Mystery of Mary as Mediatrix"Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠heartsrenewed.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out all the free resources and full marriage program.Messy Family Couples Getaway-Travel with Mike and Alicia Hernon to Austria or Bahamas! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Start Healing Your Marriage and Family⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TOP FREE RESOURCES WANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Intimacy Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WANT PEACE AT HOME? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Transform Your Family Culture here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Dan's Marriage Ebook-6 Maxims of a Remarkable Marriage Ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this before you call a divorce attorney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chesterton Academy of Buffalo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find a Chesterton School Near You⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mezanine Creative Co⁠⁠: Graphic Design for Small Business

Power, Pleasure, and Honor: The Temptations That Distract Us from Christ Today's Homily begins with a personal story from the seminary when, out of inexperience, . . . . . . he failed to show proper respect to a bishop by kissing his ring. This memory connects to the Gospel message where Jesus criticizes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes: they teach the truth but fail to live it out, burdening others while seeking power, honor, and recognition. The Homily challenges us not to discard the truth of the message because of flawed messengers but instead to focus on living faithfully. Hypocrisy is not only a clerical problem but one that all Christians can fall into when their actions contradict their faith. Jesus warns against the temptations of power, pleasure, and honor, urging believers to be authentic witnesses. The Blessed Mother serves as a model of humility, love, and faithfulness, pointing us to her Son and calling us to align our words with our actions. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to Power, Pleasure, and Honor: The Temptations That Distract Us from Christ -------------------------------------------------------- The Twelve-Year Old Jesus in the Temple: German Artist and Painter: Max Liebermann: 1879 -------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading Matthew 23: 1-12 First Reading Ruth 2: 1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17

Dr. Brandon Wanless serves as an assistant professor of dogmatic theology at The Saint Paul Seminary after earning his Master of Arts in Theology there in 2015. He spent three years as an adjunct professor at Ave Maria University, Florida (2016-2018), and five years as an upper school theology teacher at St. Agnes School in St. Paul. Wanless has organized and delivered numerous lectures and presentations. He has written also on everything from St. Thomas Aquinas' reflections on the virtue of justice to the Blessed Mother's place throughout salvation history. Much of his work features Aquinas, one of the patrons of the seminary and university campus.He is a founding member of the Sacra Doctrina Project and received a Young Scholar's Award from the American Catholic Philosophical Association in 2016. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and the American Academy of Religion.The St. Paul resident and married father of six received his B.A. in philosophy from St. Mary's University in Winona and his Ph.D. in theology from Ave Maria University.The Saint Paul Seminary is reliant on faithful Catholics and Christians like you. If you are able to make a small gift to support the work of forming future Catholic leaders, you will be remembered in our prayers of gratitude: https://saintpaulseminary.org/support-saint-paul-seminary/

“Is Mary pre-saved according to Scripture?” This episode explores the biblical basis for Mary’s unique role, addressing questions like whether the term “Adelphoi” always indicates a biological sibling and why the Blessed Mother doesn’t mention abortion in her apparitions. Tune in for a thoughtful examination of Mary’s Immaculate Conception and her sinlessness. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:07 – Is thinking of Mary as being “pre-saved” biblical? 08:02 – Is it true that the Greek word Adelphoi always refers to a sibling born of the mother or father unless there is a qualifier? 15:30 – Why doesn’t the Blessed Mother ever talk about abortion in her apparitions since she always appears pregnant? 18:50 – Is there any mention of Mary being baptized? 23:20 – Regarding Lourdes, how does Mary’s declaration of being the Immaculate Conception relate to being protected from original sin? 29:29 – Is it true that if Mary had any sin on her soul she would not be capable of saying yes to the Angel Gabriel due to the pain she would endure during the passion? 34:04 – Can you provide a list of Early Church fathers that supports the view that Mary was purified and sanctified at Jesus’ conception in her womb? 38:03 – Could you expound on the term handmaid and what it means, especially in the context of Mary's response to Gabriel? 44:44 – How could Mary be sinless and perfect? Since only God could be perfect, wouldn’t that be contradictory? 51:20 – Is there any reason to think that Mary lived a consecrated life in the temple?

Audio Download Questions Covered: 02:07 – Is thinking of Mary as being “pre-saved” biblical? 08:02 – Is it true that the Greek word Adelphoi always refers to a sibling born of the mother or father unless there is a qualifier? 15:30 – Why doesn't the Blessed Mother ever talk about abortion in her apparitions since […]

Urban Hannon and Matthew Dugandzic answer your questions about Neanderthals, our Blessed Mother, and growth in the spiritual life.To submit your questions about whatever for a future episode, email us at thequodlibets@gmail.com.Be sure to follow the Sacra Doctrina Project on Facebook and Twitter as well.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we read the very last installment of Book Five, the Reason for the Work, (dictated directly from Jesus and the Blessed Mother), Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Easter Season. Holy Week. Crucifixion. Sacrifice. Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Death and Resurrection. Religion. Wisdom. Suffering. Catholic Christian. Theology. Apostles.Disciples. Believers. Followers.

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Queenship of Mary, Queen of Heaven. He talks about the joys and peace of the heavenly encounter with our Blessed Mother and with the Holy Trinity. It is a very special reflection...not to be missed The post The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this third episode of the Fatima Today martyrdom series, Barb Ernster and Katie Moran share the powerful story of Blessed Alexandrina da Costa, often called the “fourth seer of Fatima.” After a heroic act to defend her purity left her paralyzed, she embraced her suffering as a victim soul, offering it for the conversion of sinners. For the last 13 years of her life, she lived on the Eucharist alone, a living witness to Christ's Real Presence. Her deep devotion, mystical experiences, and life of sacrifice continue to inspire the Church today. We also share news about the upcoming Fatima pilgrimage, December 2–13, 2025, sponsored by the World Apostolate of Fatima. Visit AveMariaTours.org to learn more, and join us in the mission of the Blessed Mother at BlueArmy.com

Delivered by Joanna from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. Ruth 1: 1.3-6.14b-16.22; Rs psalm 146: 5-6.7.8-9a.9bc-10; Matthew 22: 34-40.TOWARD THE TRHONE OF THE KINGDOM Our meditation today is entitled:Toward the Throne of the Kingdom. Today the whole Church celebrates thequeenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This memorial is one of our devotions tothe Blessed Mother. Part of these devotions is the prayer of the Holy Rosary,especially on the 5th glorious mystery which is: the crowning of ourLady as queen of heaven and earth. This title gives a very particular positionof Our Lady in the reign of Christ as king to rule over all in heaven and onearth. There is neither separation ordivision of power between Jesus and Mary nor among the number of parties whichis common in democratic politics. That power stands only in one King and it isin the hands of Jesus Christ, whose political power founded on God's love.Mary, as the first blessed among men and women, takes part in the power of theKingship of Jesus, then followed by various segment of the believers facing thethrone of this Kingdom. Facing Him on the throne means giving our trust,obedience, respect and following the path that this kingdom has set for. All tribes of Israel always tried toprove their belief to follow the path of this kingdom with all the colors oftheir story of salvation. The leader of the Israeli army made a promise to God,after conquering their enemies, by sacrificing his own child. Doing this, Hemeant that the power of God remained victorious. Mary after being lifted up toheaven, her position remained unchanged, that is to be the queen of theapostles, angels, all the saints and the Church. She continues to guide ourjourney toward the throne of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The apostles radically chose to followJesus, and they were convinced by Jesus to take parts of His kingdom which were inherited by the tribes of Israel.Each of them became bishop in every local Church entrusted to each, but theyall remain united with the Universal Church with one and universal leadership.The bishops are high priests in their local Churches, bringing and directingall God's people to face one majestic throne, where Jesus Christ is. The Popeoccupies the majestic throne in the world, so it is appropriate that we allfacing to the Pope who is in the Vatican. We face and make our journey to thekingdom through prayer that we pray every day: Your kingdom comes on earth asit is in heaven. The kingdom is made present for us to give us security andcomfort, then to rule us through the Holy Spirit in order that we can live intruth. We are sure to be part of this kingdom, it's because Jesus alwaysinvolves us to take part in it. The kingdom is also like the feast thatinvloves all of us. Those who reject the invitation to take part are the oneswho ignore all the messages, words and wills that come from God. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O God, the almighty Father, may your kingdom truly govern and guideour lives from every day. Hail Mary full of grace ... In the name of the Father...

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church Lectionary: 421The Saint of the day is Saint Bernard of ClairvauxSaint Bernard of Clairvaux’s Story Man of the century! Woman of the century! You see such terms applied to so many today—“golfer of the century,” “composer of the century,” “right tackle of the century”—that the line no longer has any punch. But Western Europe's “man of the twelfth century,” without doubt or controversy, had to be Bernard of Clairvaux. Adviser of popes, preacher of the Second Crusade, defender of the faith, healer of a schism, reformer of a monastic Order, Scripture scholar, theologian, and eloquent preacher: any one of these titles would distinguish an ordinary man. Yet Bernard was all of these—and he still retained a burning desire to return to the hidden monastic life of his younger days. In the year 1111, at the age of 20, Bernard left his home to join the monastic community of Citeaux. His five brothers, two uncles, and some 30 young friends followed him into the monastery. Within four years, a dying community had recovered enough vitality to establish a new house in the nearby valley of Wormwoods, with Bernard as abbot. The zealous young man was quite demanding, though more on himself than others. A slight breakdown of health taught him to be more patient and understanding. The valley was soon renamed Clairvaux, the valley of light. His ability as arbitrator and counselor became widely known. More and more he was lured away from the monastery to settle long-standing disputes. On several of these occasions, he apparently stepped on some sensitive toes in Rome. Bernard was completely dedicated to the primacy of the Roman See. But to a letter of warning from Rome, he replied that the good fathers in Rome had enough to do to keep the Church in one piece. If any matters arose that warranted their interest, he would be the first to let them know. Shortly thereafter it was Bernard who intervened in a full-blown schism and settled it in favor of the Roman pontiff against the antipope. The Holy See prevailed on Bernard to preach the Second Crusade throughout Europe. His eloquence was so overwhelming that a great army was assembled and the success of the crusade seemed assured. The ideals of the men and their leaders, however, were not those of Abbot Bernard, and the project ended as a complete military and moral disaster. Bernard felt responsible in some way for the degenerative effects of the crusade. This heavy burden possibly hastened his death, which came August 20, 1153. Reflection Bernard's life in the Church was more active than we can imagine possible today. His efforts produced far-reaching results. But he knew that they would have availed little without the many hours of prayer and contemplation that brought him strength and heavenly direction. His life was characterized by a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. His sermons and books about Mary are still the standard of Marian theology. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

The importance of Adoration and the Blessed Mother

We ask our Blessed Mother to intercede for us because one day all things will be made new.

The great saint Alphonsus Liguori shows his great love of Mary in his prayer about her Assumption into Heaven. The transcription for this Podcast can be found at https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/Alphonsus-Liguori-On-The-Assumption-of-Mary.html ADDITIONAL LINKS FOR MARIAN PRAYERS MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: The Our Catholic Prayers Page on the Assumption of Mary Hail Mary Hail Holy Queen Miraculous Medal Prayers How to Pray the Rosary  

Friends of the Rosary,Today, August 15, toward the end of the summer season, the Church of Christ celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the faithful proclaim that she was taken up, body and soul, into heaven.It's a Holy Day of Obligation and the oldest feast day of Our Lady.Its origin is in the early days of Jerusalem, when one of the memories about the Blessed Mother centered around the “Tomb of Mary,” close to Mount Zion, where she was buried, and the early Christian community had lived. It's the spot where Mary's “falling asleep.”Mary expired in the presence of the apostles, and when her tomb was opened later, it was found empty, and so the apostles concluded that the body was taken up into the heavenly home.Therefore, from the beginning, there were no relics of Mary to be venerated. That location also soon became a place of pilgrimage, and the “Memory of Mary” was being celebrated. Today, the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary stands on the spot.In the seventh century, this feast began to be celebrated in Rome under the title of the “Falling Asleep” (“Dormitio”) of the Mother of God.Later, it was to become our feast of the Assumption.In 1950, Pope Pius XII solemnly proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption, a truth revealed by God, with these words: “The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heaven.”The Assumption looks to eternity and gives us hope that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• August 15, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

The Blessed Mother is taken to Heaven, body and soul, showing her unique place as the Mother of God, but also give us hope and the model for what it to happen in our resurrection. www.mercywithteeth.com #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay #mercywithteeth Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: http://eepurl.com/ioCgy2 Give feedback at https://forms.gle/gGhujv39g43BUxmK6 Readings are found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081525.cfm Great News: True Mercy Has Teeth: A Catholic Journey to Forgiveness and Healing is now available on Amazon Direct from the Publisher, I set up a discount code valid until August 31 $29.95 $24.95 Hard cover https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=q4gGW5gFGHUIPIFjyK41hz72nEy3tqWbI8EwiDVq7p7 $20.99 $16.99 Paperback https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=7EgPqgkHHMRjrjP2TDYYlUxhPOYnlGmRupCMXCNarIG

Read Online“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.”  Luke 1:46–49Today we celebrate one of seventeen different memorials, feasts and solemnities in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary that are found on the Roman Liturgical Calendar. Today's celebration is one of the four great Solemnities by which our Blessed Mother is honored. Obviously, no other person other than our Lord is honored and celebrated with as much solemnity as the Mother of God.The Solemnity of the Assumption honors the fact that when the Blessed Virgin Mary completed her life on earth, she was taken body and soul into Heaven to be with her resurrected Son so as to adore the Most Holy Trinity forever. It's an amazing fact to consider that she retains her body and soul, united as one in Heaven, in anticipation of that glorious day when the new Heavens and Earth will be created and when all the faithful will rise so as to live in a new bodily form forever with God.Though this dogma of our faith had been held and believed by the faithful from the earliest times of our Church, especially since it was witnessed by those closest to our Blessed Mother at the time of her glorious Assumption, it wasn't until November 1, 1950, that Pope Pius XII solemnly proclaimed it to be so, raising this teaching of our faith to the level of a dogma, meaning, it must be held and believed by all. In part, the Holy Father declared, “...we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”The Gospel passage quoted above comes from the beginning of Mary's song of praise, her Magnificat, by which she not only gives the greatest glory to God but also reveals who she is. She is the one whom “all generations” will call “blessed.” She is the one for whom “the Almighty has done great things.” She is the one who will eternally proclaim “the greatness of the Lord” and whose spirit will forever rejoice in God her Savior. And she is that lowliest of servants whom God has raised up to the greatest glory.Reflect, today, with the whole Church, upon the Most Glorious Ever-Virgin Mary who was conceived without sin, remained sinless throughout her life, and was taken body and soul into Heaven where she now adores the Most Holy Trinity and intercedes for you and for the whole Church. This is a Solemnity of great rejoicing! Share in this joy with the whole Church and with all the saints in Heaven! Most glorious and Ever-Virgin Mary, I rejoice today with you and with the whole Church for the most glorious things that God has done for you. You are beauty beyond beauty, Immaculate in every way, and worthy of our deepest love. As you now share body and soul in the glories of Heaven, please pray for me and for all your dear children on earth. Cover us with your mantle of love and pour forth the mercy of God upon us always. Mother Mary, assumed into Heaven, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this second episode of the Fatima Today martyrdom series, hosted by Barb Ernster with Katie Moran, we look at “red martyrdom” giving one's life for Christ. On his feast day, we share the inspiring story of St. Maximilian Kolbe: from his childhood vision of two crowns, one white for purity and one red for martyrdom — to his brave fight against evil through his love for the Blessed Mother. You'll hear about his arrest for helping refugees, his time in Auschwitz, and the moment he offered to die in another man's place. Even in the starvation bunker, his days were filled with prayer, song, and a deep peace that only God can give.   Stay tuned for the next episode — the touching story of Bl. Alexandrina da Costa, the “white martyr,” who offered her whole life to God through suffering.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa focuses on the Dogma of the Assumption as well as its history. Chuck Gaidica shares his thoughts on the Blessed Mother and her role in his reversion, and offers ideas on how to explain our relationship with Mary to non-Catholics.

Host Melissa Scaccio speaks about the Blessed Mother, Service, and more

Welcome to Vatican Insider on the weekend that precedes the arrival in Rome of half a million youth from over 140 countries to celebrate the weeklong Jubilee of Youth that starts Monday, July 28! Exciting days ahead, for sure! And an exciting Special report this weekend in what is normally the interview segment of VI. I prepared a Special program because this is such a special weekend! Saturday is the feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim, parents of our Blessed Mother and grandparents of Jesus, and Sunday marks the 5th World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly.

Welcome to Vatican Insider on the weekend that precedes the arrival in Rome of half a million youth from over 140 countries to celebrate the weeklong Jubilee of Youth that starts Monday, July 28! Exciting days ahead, for sure! And an exciting Special report this weekend in what is normally the interview segment of VI. I prepared a Special program because this is such a special weekend! Saturday is the feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim, parents of our Blessed Mother and grandparents of Jesus, and Sunday marks the 5th World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly.

July26JoachimAndAnne

Patrick explores Charlie Kirk’s surprising comments urging Protestants to embrace greater reverence for Mary while pushing back on Catholic teachings like the Immaculate Conception and Assumption; audio clips and sharp reactions from both Protestant and Catholic perspectives tumble out as Patrick brings biblical and historical insight, citing even reformers like Luther, in thoughtful response. Vivid stories from callers swirl in, including modern accounts of extraordinary events and personal encounters with Marian devotion. The conversation turns candid and sometimes challenging as Patrick questions assumptions and connects these issues straight to faith’s daily impact. Robert - In 2007, something happened to image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Did you hear about this? (02:24) Patrick shares and comments on Charlie Kirk’s talk about our Blessed Mother (21:20) Audio: reaction to Charlie Kirk (38:41)

Patrick fields pressing questions about Catholic teaching on mortal sin, moral relativism, and what truly counts as grave matter. A caller describes a broken family tie, seeking insight into relational pain, while another wrestles with the moral weight of honesty during life-or-death situations. He shares practical resources and scriptural foundations, responding to heartfelt struggles with faith, obligation, and complex family burdens. Patrick continues his conversation with Kurt from the end of the last hour asking about the conditions of mortal sin and the “grey line” of relativism. (01:03) Enrique - Is there moral grounds for my brother to abandon our family and not have any conversations with them? (17:55) Angel - My family member declined to go to Mass with us this Sunday. Is there anything I can do to talk to her? (26:02) Vance casts tie-breaking votes to move forward $9.4B rescissions package — which would defund PBS, NPR and Planned Parenthood (36:41) America's dairy farmers and ice cream producers agree to quit using artificial colors Patrick in Monterey - I was not aware that the Blessed Mother had a sister. How is this possible? (39:41) Maureen - My daughter is having a difficult time with a recent divorce. Does her ex-husband need to agree to get an annulment? (41:32) Jared - I want to work in health insurance. The government mandates that insurance covers abortion. Some even cover gender therapy. Is it wrong to be an insurance salesman and sell these things? (47:20)

In this week's episode of Catholic Moms in the Middle, Jennie Guinn invites you to see your current struggles through a new lens—the lens of fire. But not a fire that destroys—a fire that purifies, transforms, and reignites your God-given purpose. Whether you're walking through grief, facing the ache of an empty nest, struggling in your marriage, or simply feeling lost in midlife, Jennie reminds you that you are not being burnt out—you're being lit up. With wisdom drawn from scripture, the Blessed Mother, and the lives of the saints, this episode is an invitation to see your pain not as a punishment, but as a sacred path toward holiness. Jennie shares insights from a recent morning of reflection where she explored how fire shows up in our lives—not just in the dramatic crises, but in the quiet ache of change, in unanswered prayers, and in the slow burn of transition. Drawing on her own experience and the stories of women she walks with in ministry, she gently guides you to reflect on how God might be using your fire to strip away what is false and fill you with what is holy. You'll also hear how the Blessed Mother walked through the fire with silent surrender and unwavering faith—and how she walks beside you, too. Through encouraging stories, journaling prompts, and spiritual practices, this episode will help you recognize the fire in your life, surrender it to God, and allow it to become the spark that ignites your light—and someone else's. You were born to sparkle, not just survive. Let Jennie remind you that holiness is often forged in the heat, and that your small flame, lit by God, can shine brightly in a weary world. If you're longing for purpose, hope, and healing in the fire you're facing, this episode will speak directly to your heart. Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life's unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father's love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel procession through the streets of Hammonton, New Jersey, celebrates the 150th anniversary with a Canonical Coronation from the Pope will be bestowed upon the statue a Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Listen to Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C share more in this segment of the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, about how the procession impacted his family and the people who attend it.The 150th anniversary of the procession in honor of the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Hammonton, New Jersey, is the longest continuous Italian festival in the United States. The image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel there will have a canonical coronation on the feast day, July 16th. A Mass celebrates the special event as well as the annual procession of saints through the streets. The Pallottines served the parish that was called St. Joseph from 1901-2004. The diocese merged three parishes into one and renamed the parish, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel. The other image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel that has a canonical crown is at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in New York (1904) which is the first church of the Pallottines in the United States. The Pallottines still serve there there.A canonical coronation is a formal act by the Pope, expressed through a papal bull, to crown a venerated image of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or St. Joseph. This act acknowledges the image's local and universal significance within the Catholic Church. This is a rare honor for the church and our diocese.In the United States, only four Marian images have received this honor: Our Lady of Prompt Succor: Crowned on November 10, 1895, in New Orleans, Louisiana.Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Crowned on July 10, 1904, in New York City, New York. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception: Crowned on August 22, 2013, in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Our Lady of La Leche: Crowned on October 10, 2021, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine in Florida.The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel celebrates the tradition that a Carmelite friar, St. Simon Stock, received a vision of the Blessed Mother presenting him with the Brown Scapular. Today, the scapular forms a part of the habit of Carmelite friars and sisters. Lay faithful who wear the scapular do so as both a sign of devotion to the Blessed Mother and as a promise to imitate her example as the perfect follower of Christ.Listen to Pallottine Fathers and Brothers to learn moreLearn more about Our Lady of Mt. CarmelVisit the Canonical Coronation websiteView the other images in the processionReady Summertime is a Time for Processions Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this episode of Catholic Conversations on Catholic Spirit Radio, host Paul Garcia welcomes two special guests who share an inspiring story of faith, art, and transformation. Carmen Kelly, affectionately known as the "cleaning angel" of Catholic Spirit Radio, recounts how she came into possession of a life-size damaged statue of Our Lady of Sorrows. Together with John Smith, an art teacher from Epiphany Catholic School, they embarked on a delicate journey to restore the statue. Listeners will be moved by Carmen's devotion to the Blessed Mother and the intricate restoration process described by John. From mysterious origins and unexpected connections to an artistic rebirth, this episode highlights the power of faith and community to bring new life to something once broken. Tune in to hear how this beautiful statue became a symbol of hope and restoration for all involved.

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. As the Italy pilgrimage continues to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Father Dave reflects on the Blessed Mother on today's feast. We are to behold Mary as our mother and invite her to pray with us. Preached at Basilica of St. Mary Major, Rome, Italy on 6-9-25

Patrick fields a whirlwind of listener questions, tackling everything from whether tattoos might carry hidden dangers—spiritual or otherwise—to how Catholics should respond when a relative is ordained in a Protestant church after not being raised in the faith. He clarifies misconceptions about the Novus Ordo Mass, draws from the Council of Trent, weighs in on quirky doll rumors, and offers simple steps for praying with thrifted rosaries or finding peace after confession. Answers go deeper than surface-level advice, often blending practical steps with stories and unexpected insights. James - My niece is getting ordained as a minister in a Christian Church. What should I do? (03:06) Cody - I heard a priest say that the traditional Latin mass is the only 'real dogmatic form'. Is that true? (14:09) Cristina (email) – Does the Labubu doll have an evil or devilish meaning? Celia - I am not always able to pray the rosary at 7pm with Father Rocky, but I try to pray it at different times of the day. Does it still count as praying with Father? (28:41) Eamon - How do I overcome despair from past sin? (31:23) Sal - Patrick mentioned the Martyrs suffered pain. Did the Blessed Mother suffer normal birth pains? (36:54) Lucas - I have a friend who has addiction and self-destructive behavior. What's my obligation to them? I don't want to give up on him because people never gave up on me. (42:29) Sandy - My husband refuses to get an annulment for his first marriage. I want to receive Communion but we can't. We have both been married before. (47:45)

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton talk about the Blessed Mother as a model for our motherhood. Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton talk about the Blessed Mother as a model for our motherhood. Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide their time between northern Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida. You can read about her adventures on Life on the Road Less Traveled.  Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act:, My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.   Link in Show:· Read all articles by Heidi Hess Saxton Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson

In today's episode, Father Balkey speaks with Shayne Smith, a well known comedian who has recently come to St Matthew. Together, they discuss the role of the Blessed Mother. You can watch and listen to the other episodes of Holy Hope here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgF74jpj_30HeM2CH0qZ_0rEip6QT8Zyb

The warnings that the world has received from the Blessed Mother must not be forgotten or ignored. The consistency of her messages should awaken in each of us a deeper appreciation for the times we are living in and what we can do right now. Mark Mallett joins us to break this down, especially the powerful words spoken by Our Lady in Rwanda in the 1980s. ------------------------------- Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKZ9OefEJLEx1qYcBxgAFww/join -------------------------------- Read "Rwanda's Warning" from Mark Mallett HERE: https://www.markmallett.com/blog/ -------------------------------- Check out Mark Mallett's website "The Now Word" HERE: https://www.markmallett.com/blog/ -------------------------------- PATREON - Help support this podcast by becoming a US Grace Force PATRON here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=25398590 -------------------------------- Subscribe to our NEW US Grace Force YouTube channel! US GRACE FORCE 2.0. Don't miss any new, great content!! https://youtube.com/@USGraceForce2.0?si=zq47qEqPITXnIDkg -------------------------------- Join the US Grace Force Team HERE: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001ESuSGaJpYPCG2iUdd4j4bkKwd4gkh2ZUVbam_Ty9rCn6blH6_U3cI2D8UvSLEcSzHnC4eq2UWmK1I0SbEw0SPKqnkZ2j0Z4J4D-_m4dD6CKJU9day-bBa8Qnx4dv7RLDIVlYAjL1JWsjfUTNPH2jQIVY9gbdbz4O4oMIzv5V1dT_upQsD8cX86iq_5Y-x4eLrTVtdOmA24s%3D&fbclid=IwY2xjawFRvvdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdo526R1rgNAIW76yyQnVbo957e1TgOoQ4RH3Tr84D8376Y7jng09gtlOw_aem_H7Y7Ej6cF6-nPyfOZ4qMTQ -------------------------------- PRAY THE ROSARY: The Joyful Mysteries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMAR9MEN1pE&t=656s --------------------------------- The Sorrowful Mysteries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHUkx66oAxE&t=311s --------------------------------- The Glorious Mysteries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg_JWsxS6EA&t=207s --------------------------------- The Luminous Mysteries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVL5CqBr3CA&t=198s --------------------------------- The Full Rosary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44zL1kFIvP8&t=1765s --------------------------------- Be Ready Emergency Preparedness Course: Be prepared to Care for and Protect your Family in times of Natural Disasters, Emergencies, Civil Unrest, Economic Collapse, and more. Sign up for the course HERE: https://brcoalition.com/ --------------------------------- Go HERE to check out the BR Coalition and get great training Body, Mind & Soul! https://brcoalition.com/ Become part of one of the fastest growing online Catholic Membership sites. --------------------------------- Get your hands on some great US Grace Force T-shirts! https://us-grace-force.creator-spring.com/ --------------------------------- The seven promises given to St Bridget of Sweden for those who devote themselves to her Seven Sorrows. 1. I will grant peace to their families. 2. They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries. 3. I will console them in their pains, and I will accompany them in their work. 4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls. 5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives. 6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death—they will see the face of their mother. 7. I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

In this episode of Fatima Today, hosts Barb Ernster and Katie Moran take a deep dive into the powerful events of the June 13, 1917 apparition at Fatima. This pivotal moment revealed the mission to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, especially entrusted to Lucia. Hear how the Blessed Mother gave us the promise of salvation, called for personal conversion, and offered her Heart as a refuge and guide for all souls. We also discuss the significance of this devotion in light of the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart feast days, highlight the Shrine's upcoming events, and share insights from the biography Pathway Under the Gaze of Mary.

Father Dave welcomes back Timothy O'Malley to discuss how we can better relate to Mary as our Blessed Mother. O'Malley is associate director at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, and the author of the new book “A Fierce and Tender Love: 7 Meditations on Mary, Mother of God.”

Fr. Mike reviews the major solemnities and feast days that make up the liturgical year and explains why they are important to celebrate. We learn that the liturgical year highlights key moments of the Paschal Mystery and commemorates the life of our Blessed Mother and the lives of the saints and martyrs. The feasts and solemnities of the liturgical year ultimately point us to Christ's sacrifice and strengthen our faith. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1168-1173. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Today's Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, is celebrated annually on the Monday after Pentecost. It was officially added to the Church's calendar by Pope Francis in 2018.  As outlined in an address by Pope John Paul II, the Blessed Mother's role as Mother of the Church can be traced back to four significant events. The first is the Annunciation, where Mary was called to give her consent to the coming of the Messianic Kingdom, which would take place with the formation of the Church. The second event which helps clarify the Blessed Mother's role in the formation of the Church happens at the wedding feast of Cana. Mary asks her Son to exercise his Messianic power in changing water into wine, implanting faith in the lives of the first century disciples.  The third event takes place at Calvary. The Crucified Christ proclaims Mary's motherhood of all the faithful when he proclaims: “Woman, behold your Son.” This was not just addressed to John the Evangelist, Pope John Paul II explained, but to all the faithful, including ourselves 1992 years later.  The fourth instance of Mary's motherhood of the Church is recognized by St. Luke in Acts 1:14 in today's alternative reading, in which Luke describes the early Christians gathering together in prayer. Specifically, it states that all the apostles, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were present and united in prayer. This verse follows our Lord's Ascension into heaven as they were waiting for the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit. The verse highlights the unity of the early Church and the Blessed Mother's prayerful presence imploring the gift of the Holy Spirit for all, the same Holy Spirit that had overshadowed her during the Annunciation.  The Church is like a mother, generating life by giving birth, but also helping her children to grow through the sacraments and accompanying us through our entire lives. For St. Jerome, “The Church is nothing other than the souls of those who believe in Christ,” carefully watched over by the Mother of the Church, our Most Blessed Virgin Mary.  Blessings,Fr. Kevin MacDonald, C.Ss.R.

Read OnlineStanding by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."  Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother."  And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25–27The memorial we celebrate today, which was added to the Roman Liturgical Calendar in 2018 by Pope Francis, highlights the truth that the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only the Mother of the Person of Christ, and, therefore, the Mother of God, she is also the Mother of the Church, that is, the Mother of all the faithful. The Blessed Virgin Mary is your mother. And as your mother, she is truly tender, compassionate, caring and merciful, bestowing upon you everything that a perfect mother desires to bestow. She is the fiercest of mothers who will stop at nothing to protect her children. She is a mother wholly devoted to you, her dear child.The Gospel passage chosen for this memorial depicts our Blessed Mother standing at the foot of the Cross. She would have been no other place than directly beneath her Son as He endured His last agony. She did not flee in fear. She was not overwhelmed by grief. She did not sulk in self-pity. No, she stood by her Son with the perfect love and strength of a devoted, caring, compassionate and faithful mother.As she stood by her Son in His hour of suffering and death, Jesus turned to her and entrusted the Apostle John to her maternal care. From the early Church Fathers until the most recent teachings of the Church today, this act of entrusting John to Mary and Mary to John by Jesus has been understood as an entrustment of all the faithful to the maternal care of Mother Mary. Mother Mary is, therefore, not only the Mother of the Redeemer, Christ Himself, she also becomes the Mother of all the redeemed, the mother of us all, the Mother of the Church.Consider the spiritual mother you have in Heaven. A mother is one who gives life. Your mother in Heaven is entrusted with the task of bestowing upon you the new life of grace won by the Cross. And as your mother, she will not withhold anything from you that is to your benefit. A mother is also one who is tender with her children. The Immaculate Heart of our mother in Heaven is one that is filled with the greatest tenderness toward you. Though her caresses are not physical, they are much deeper. She caresses with the tenderness of grace which she imparts to you as you pray and turn to her in your need. She gives you the grace of her Son, poured out upon the Cross as the blood and water sprung forth as a font of mercy. Mother Mary pours that mercy upon you as a tender and devoted mother would. She holds nothing back.If you are unaware of the love in the heart of our Blessed Mother for you, use this memorial as an opportunity to deepen your understanding of her role in your life. Many children take their mothers for granted, not fully understanding the depth of their love. So it is with our Mother in Heaven. We will never fully comprehend her love and her constant motherly workings in our life until we join her in Heaven face to face. Reflect, today, upon Mother Mary standing by you in every moment of your life. See her there in your joys and in your sorrows, during your moments of temptation and struggles, in your moments of confusion and clarity. See her there by your side, bestowing every good spiritual gift upon you when you need it the most. She is a true mother, and she is worthy of your love and gratitude.My dearest Mother, you stood by your Son with unwavering fidelity and love. You cared for Him, nurtured Him and never left His side. I also am your dear child. I thank you for your loving fidelity toward me and open my heart to the grace of your Son that you bestow upon me throughout life. Help me to be more attentive to your motherly care and to daily grow in gratitude for your presence in my life. Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.Images: Featured: The Crucifixion via Web Gallery of ArtMain: Lucas Cranach the Elder, PDM-owner, via Wikimedia Commons  Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we tackle one of the most intriguing questions about the Bible's development: If the disciples and early Christians referenced the Book of Enoch, why isn't it part of the biblical canon? We explore the Church's criteria for canonization, Enoch's influence, and why it ultimately didn't make the cut. Help support the work we do by donating! Catholicanswersradio.com Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:51 – Why was Enoch not considered canon if the disciples referenced it? 14:25 – Why is confession to a priest necessary? 21:17 – Who is St. Mary Salome? Was she the Blessed Mother's sister? 25:07 – Why is the penalty of sin, death? It seems so harsh. 33:55 – Rather than having a Catholic funeral Is having a mortuary service burial, okay? 35:32 – Is there any truth to the rumor that the baptism formula was in Jesus name early on? 40:30 – What would be the implications of a person without a soul? 44:45 – Could a Catholic accept Jesus as the new Isaac and Peter as the new Abraham as an explanation of Mt. 16:18-19? 49:17 – My husband is interested in Catholicism. He asked: 1 Peter 2:25 Why is the word bishop replaced to overseer in some versions?

How can we ensure a happy death?  We have been working our way through all the mysteries of the rosary from the Joyful Mysteries all the way through to the Glorious Mysteries. Today, we have reached the 4th Glorious Mystery. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The fruit of this mystery is a happy death. In today's podcast episode I give you 5 things you can do to ensure a happy death. All we have to do is look to the rosary which is the life and death of Jesus and the life and death of our Blessed Mother. When we pray the rosary and meditate on the mysteries, we are learning how to live so that we may die happy and reunite with our Lord and Savior at the heavenly banquet. If you live in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and would to work with me in-person to declutter your home, please email me at: tightshipmama@gmail.com If you would like to join the private Facebook group, please click the link here:Facebook Group If you would like to subscribe to my monthly newsletter which always has something related to decluttering, meal planning or praying with any zoom links to our monthly live meet-up, please click here:Monthly Newsletter Sign-Up  

Read OnlineMary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Luke 1:39–42The beautiful feast we celebrate today depicts two miraculous pregnancies. One came about by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. The other was the miraculous conception in the womb of a woman who was advanced in years. The Scripture passage quoted above presents us with the initial encounter of Mary and Elizabeth as they greeted each other upon Mary's arrival. Mary had traveled a long distance to be with her cousin for the last few months of Elizabeth's pregnancy. And upon greeting Elizabeth, another miraculous event occurred. The baby in the womb of Elizabeth, Saint John the Baptist, “leaped for joy.” Thus, even prior to his birth, John began to fulfill his unique mission of preparing the way for the Lord. He did so at that moment by inspiring his own mother, Elizabeth, with a knowledge of the divine presence of the Savior within the womb of Mary.Consider, especially, the conversations that these two holy women would have shared during their months together. Though we are given only a small insight into their initial conversation from the Scriptures, we can be certain that this was but a small sampling of what they would have discussed in much prayerful detail. In particular, their conversations would have contained a mutual sharing of the spiritual gift of joy.Joy is much more than an emotion. It is spiritual in nature. It is not only an experience of something fun, it's the experience of realizing the action of God in your life. Seeing God at work in wonderful ways leads to gratitude and rejoicing. This joy produces a strength and energy that is contagious and uplifting.We must all strive to see the hand of God at work in our own lives so that our focus upon His divine actions will produce joy also. We need joy. We need to be strengthened by this gift so that we will be encouraged and strengthened as we daily strive to fulfill His will.Reflect, today, upon the witness of joy that these two holy women give us. Know that you are called to share in the same joy as you humbly turn your attention to the ways in which God has blessed you. If you find that you lack joy in life, then consider where you allow your mind to wander throughout the day. Do you dwell on the past, on hurts, on problems and the like? If so, these thoughts will undoubtedly lead to depression and possibly even despair. Try to turn your mind to the action of God in your life. See the many blessings you have been given and savor those divine actions. Doing so will lead you to rejoice with Saint Elizabeth and our Blessed Mother.My holy infant Jesus, as You dwelt in the sacred womb of Your own dear mother, Your presence caused much rejoicing in her heart and in the hearts of Elizabeth and John. Help me to see Your presence in our world and in my life, so that I, too, will be filled with the joy of You constantly coming to me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Joseolgon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and also a time we honor Mary as our Blessed Mother. Father Dave welcomes back Scott Weeman, founder of Catholic in Recovery, to discuss his new book, “The Recovery Rosary: Meditations for Those Impacted by Addiction, Compulsions, and Unhealthy Attachments.”

The Email That Sparked It All Cyrus read an email from Ray in Texas, who asked a fair and honest question: “Aren’t we spending too much time on Mary? Shouldn’t we focus more on Jesus?” You could practically hear Patrick rubbing his hands together; he was itching to respond. And respond he did... with biblical insight and big-time love for the Blessed Mother. Patrick’s first big point: The Rosary is all about Jesus. Even though we’re repeating the Hail Mary, we’re actually meditating on key events in Jesus’ life: -The Annunciation The Baptism -The Passion -The Crucifixion -The Resurrection These are Jesus-focused mysteries. Mary is in the picture, sure... but as the ultimate mom. She is always directing us straight to her Son. Mary's Role: The Ultimate "Point You to Jesus" Mother If anyone’s worried that Mary might steal the spotlight, Patrick reminds us of John 2:5. “Do whatever He tells you.” That’s Mary talking. Not “Do whatever I say” or “Look at me!” but “Go to Jesus.” So even if someone’s spiritual life gets a little too “Marian-heavy”, Mary will lovingly redirect them. She’s the queen of humility. Scripture shows Mary as a constant presence throughout Jesus’ life: -She carried Him in the womb. -She nursed Him and raised Him. -She taught Him as a child. -She stood at the foot of the Cross. -She was there at Pentecost, too. No one was closer to Jesus in His earthly life. And God Himself chose her for this role. So... if she’s important to Him, she should be important to us too. The Bottom Line So don’t stress if you love Our Lady. You’re in excellent company, including Jesus Himself.

Today's Topics: Gospel - John 2, 1-11 - On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you." Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. 1, 2, 3, 4) Father William Wagner, ORC, joins Terry to discuss the Wedding feast at Cana and the role of the Blessed Mother in the Economy of Salvation

Earlier in the Catechism, we unpacked Mary as the Mother of Jesus. Now, we look at what it means for Mary to be the Mother of the Church. Fr. Mike makes it clear that, when he entrusts his disciples to Mary, his Mother, from the Cross, he's entrusting us to her as well. Today's readings are from Catechism paragraphs 963-970. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Fr. Mike highlights the moment God makes a covenant with David, promising him an everlasting dynasty, but reserving the building of the Temple to David's son Solomon. He also teaches us how 2 Samuel 7 foreshadows the fact that the Blessed Mother is the new Ark of the Covenant. Today's readings are 2 Samuel 6-7, 1 Chronicles 9, and Psalm 89. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.