CSD Book Club – 33 Days to Morning Glory (Week 3 of 6)

The Power of Humility We’ll close these reflections on the wonderful benefits of Marian consecration by letting St. Louis describe how this way is also a secure path, meaning that, as we walk it, we’re particularly protected from and defended against evil: Mary puts herself around [her true children], and accompanies them “like an army in battle array” (Cant. 6:3). Shall a man who has... Read More

CSD Book Club – 33 Days to Morning Glory (Week 2 of 6)

The “Surest and Quickest Way to Heaven” Marian consecration basically means giving Mary our full permission (or as much permission as we can) to complete her motherly task in us, which is to form us into other Christs.  Thus, by consecrating ourselves to Mary, each of us is saying to her: Mary, I want to be a saint.  I know that you also want me to be a saint and that it’s your... Read More

CSD Book Club – 33 Days to Morning Glory (Week 1 of 6)

33 Days to Morning Glory by Father Michael Gaitley, MIC Today, we begin a new adventure – surrendering our lives to Jesus through Mary.  For those of us who have never made a formal Act of Consecration, this could be a life-changing experience.  For the rest of us, a time to renew our vow with fresh insight, looking to the wisdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and... Read More

CSD Book Club – Announcing our Next Book – 33 Days to Morning Glory

33 Days to Morning Glory by Father Michael Gaitley, MIC A few weeks ago, I asked for recommendations on upcoming books.  If you recall, I suggested we read a book in honor of our Blessed Mother in the month of May.  Several of you highly recommended 33 Days to Morning Glory by Father Michael Gaitley.  So be it!  Having read and enjoyed his book Consoling the Heart of Jesus, I was excited... Read More

CSD Book Club – Navigating the Interior Life (Week 4 of 6)

Mother Mary Many persons delude themselves maintaining that they reach union with God without having continuous recourse to our Lord who is the way, the truth, and the life. Another error would consist in wishing to go to our Lord without going first to Mary…Protestants have fallen into this last error. Without going as far as this deviation, there are Catholics who do not see clearly enough... Read More

O Virgin of Guadalupe

O Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, grant to our homes the grace of loving and respecting life in its beginnings, with the same love with which you conceived in your womb the life of the Son of God. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Fair Love, protect our families so that they may always be united and bless the upbringing of our children. Our hope, look upon us with pity, teach is to... Read More

How were Jesus and Mary able to remain perfect even during great anguish and sadness?

Q: Dear Father John, In responding to questions on this forum, you’ve often said something like, “the interior turbulence that the situation is causing you is most likely not from the Holy Spirit”. I think St. Ignatius says something similar when discussing the discernment of the spirits. Since Jesus and Mary were perfect, how would you explain the great anguish and sadness that Jesus felt... Read More

Reflections on Mary’s Pond – Gratitude

In the midst of the eighteen year storm of my childhood, there were brief reprieves. Some of these came when my father would break away from his incredibly busy work schedule and take us fishing. Mostly alone in the mountains following some meandering brook in the hopes of finding a larger-than-life fish in a small stream was safe, and it caused the tumult at home to fade, at least for a while. It... Read More

What is with this shrine and pilgrimage thing? Is this really important to my faith?

Our friends over at the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia have provided this answer for us: Q: Dear CSD, I am a recent convert and I don’t understand the whole “shrine” thing. What makes a shrine a shrine? Why do Catholics go to these places? Why should I care? Oh, one more thing, the “pilgrimage” thing I guess is also tied to shrines. What about that? A: Well,... Read More

Hidden Delights

“The world is not only hungry for food, but also for beauty.” With those words, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta helps explain why Pope Benedict is encouraging us to return to Catholic art as a privileged place for prayer. The vision of a gifted, accomplished, faith-filled artist can reveal to us a glimpse of God’s beauty, sparking an encounter with his love – and that’s the heart... Read More

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