Hey there,
Children have a special bond with their mother … whether it’s a biological mother, an adopted mother, a grandmother, or a mother figure.
Mothers have our best interest at heart. They love us unconditionally and go to great lengths to support us any way they can.
And we rely on these special women. Maybe a little too much.
Cooking, cleaning, laundry service, taxi driver, hair stylist, biggest sports fan, tutor … the things our Mothers selflessly do are endless.
Fortunately, God gives us another Mother who loves us unconditionally and is available to protect and help us … Mary.
We only have to ask.
This week’s issue of Genuflect focuses on why the Blessed Virgin Mary is so important to our Catholic faith, prayers she has shared with us, how she can intervene with God on our behalf, and times when she has appeared to people with messages.
And remember Mary’s always there ready to help us … her children.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Editor, Genuflect
Resources
Understanding the Catholic Devotion to Mary
Non-Catholics often have a completely wrong conception of Catholic devotion to the Mother of God. They imagine that Catholics treat the Blessed Virgin as an almost divine being in her own right, as if she had some glory, some power, some majesty of her own that placed her on a level with Christ Himself. But this is all completely contrary to the true mind of the Catholic Church.
7 Reasons Catholics Are Devoted to Mary
Marcus Guevara writes: I can understand the confusion about Mary’s role in the Catholic Church. I mean, if Catholics say they don’t worship Mary then why are they always talking about her? Why do they pray the rosary so much? There are very good reasons Catholics are so devoted to Mary. Here are seven.
Mary’s Shadow on the Way of the Cross
Mary appears only once in the Stations of the Cross, but she casts her shadow over the whole Via Dolorosa. Her love gave her Son strength in a moment when his frail humanity was near to breaking. She wants to do the same for us. Here’s how.
Why the Devil Hates the Blessed Virgin So Much (And Why You Should Love Her)
Perhaps you have wondered why the Church holds the Immaculate Virgin in such high regard. Perhaps you have wonder why God has chosen to use her in the work of redemption. Here’s why the devil hates the Blessed Mother so much, and why we should be her devoted knights.
Prayers to Virgin Mary
From the Church’s beginnings, prayers to Virgin Mary have held a place of honor for Catholics. Here are some of the most fundamental and majestic. These prayers to Virgin Mary take varied forms.
The Miracle of the Miraculous Medal: Designed and Revealed by the Blessed Virgin
The Medal of the Immaculate Conception, popularly known as the Miraculous Medal, is unique among all medals. Here is the story of how the Blessed Virgin Mary herself requested its design and distribution.
The Brown Scapular
In the year 1251, in the town of Aylesford in England, Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite. She handed him a brown woolen scapular and said, “This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire.” Read more about this special gift to you from your Heavenly Mother.
Where Did the Rosary Originate?
Except for the Our Father, no Catholic prayer or devotion may be more revered than the Rosary. Many say the Rosary daily, reciting this prayer not only in church but during special times and places we set aside. Many keep the beads in their pocket, hang them in cars, put them on bedposts. But when did this whole idea of counting beads while praying begin? Here’s where the Rosary originated.
This Is the Most Complete List of Marian Apparitions
Mary has appeared as apparitions under many titles to many diverse peoples in different periods of history. Our Blessed Mother comes to us when we need her most, with a message and guidance specific to the problems and suffering at hand. Here is a list of 40 beautiful stories of Marian apparitions in countries all over the world to inspire you and remind you of the eternal compassion and counsel which she unceasingly offers to us.
Mary Will Find Her Way Into Your Life with Creativity and Persistence
Our Lady’s presence — in the life of Jesus, the life of the Church, and our life — is personal and persistent. Mary wants us to be able to count on her. So much so, that if we don’t already know her and aren’t aware of her presence, she will come up with creative ways to enter our lives and make her love and protection felt. Here are two examples.
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