JJB – Page 2 – Wonderful Churches, Shrines and Devotions

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 9 – Mary, Queen of Families

Posted by JJBon September 7, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, Mother MaryLeave a comment

The Blessed Mother is invoked in the Litany of Loreto under fifty-three titles many of which were commemorated during the multitudes of 9-Day Novenas prayed across the world leading up to the Feast of the Nativity of Mary on September 8th. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto) is the only approved Marian Litany and originated as a litany in the Greek Church. The invocation was translated to Latin and evolved into the prayer used in the church in Loreto, Italy as far back as 1531. Ten titles have been added to the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary since its official approval in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V, including that of Mary as Queen of Families by Saint John Paul II in 1995.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 8 – Our Lady, Star of the Sea

Posted by JJBon September 6, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, India, Mother MaryLeave a comment

Sailors living on endless expanses of the water have a unique perspective of the sky and heavenly stars above. They see the wonder, and the power of the sea; as well as, the hope born in the images of the stars. The title of Our Lady as Star of the Sea is attributed to the 4th century Doctor of the Church, St. Jerome. St. Bernard of Clairvaux was also a devotee of the Blessed Mother as the Star of the Sea. The Catholic Church traditionally celebrates the feast of Mary, Star of the Sea on September 27th.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 7 – Mary, Our Lady of Hope

Posted by JJBon September 5, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, Mother MaryLeave a comment

What lifts the spirit more than hope? The story of the Blessed Mother’s title as “Our Lady of Hope” stems from her appearance to children at Pontmain, France in 1871; and remains popular today. The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. has a Chapel for Our Lady of Hope that was donated by the comic and movie star, Bob Hope and wife Dolores in memory of his mother Avis Townes Hope.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 6 – St. Maximilian Kolbe

Posted by JJBon September 4, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, Heritage Saints, Mother MaryLeave a comment

Saint Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Martyr and a mass-media evangelizer with a great devotion to the Blessed Mother – which he promoted through his writings and actions. His inspiring life was centered on Mary as the Mediatrix and intercessor to lead to Jesus’ Sacred Heart. He spread devotion through his Militia Immaculata established to fight evil through the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 5 – Prayers to Our Lady of Vailankanni

Posted by JJBon September 3, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, India, Mother MaryLeave a comment

Our Lady of Good Health is also known as Our Lady of Vailankanni (Vay-lun-kun-nee), particularly in India where she appeared in the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu in the sixteenth century. Many miracles have been attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Vailankanni. So, pray to Our Lady of Vailankanni during this 9-day Novena leading up to the Feast of the Birth of Mary on September 8th.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 4 – The Miraculous Medal and Grace

Posted by JJBon September 2, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, Mother MaryLeave a comment

The Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Good Health is both “full of grace” (see Gospel of Luke 1:28) and intercedes to God to obtain grace for the faithful. Her image in The Miraculous Medal originated in 1830. Read about this appearance of the Blessed Mother below; and pray to her during this 9-day Novena leading up to the Feast of the Birth of Mary on September 8th.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 3 – Our Lady of Vailankanni

Posted by JJBon September 1, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, India, Mother MaryLeave a comment

Our Lady of Good Health, who is the center of this 9-day Novena up to September 8th, is also known as Our Lady of Vailankanni (Vay-lun-kun-nee), particularly in India where she appeared in the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu in the sixteenth century. In that location now, is the famous pilgrimage site, The Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health Church and Complex at Vailankanni, India.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 2 – The Hail Mary Prayer

Posted by JJBon August 31, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, Mother MaryLeave a comment

Mother Mary (The Blessed Mother) is a special intercessor because of her relationship to Jesus. Prayers, therefore, will receive the priority of a “Mother’s request” to Jesus. So, pray to the Blessed Mother during this 9-day Novena leading up to the Feast of the Birth of Mary on September 8th.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 1 – Miracle at Cana

Posted by JJBon August 30, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, India, Mother MaryLeave a comment

The Feast Day of the birth of Jesus’ Mother is celebrated on September 8th. It is a popular feast across the world in celebration of the sinless woman who gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem. She is admired and emulated for her humble and joyful acceptance of the will of God. Mother Mary (The Blessed Mother) is a special intercessor because of her relationship to Jesus.

Apostles Out Front: Saints Peter, Paul and Thomas

Posted by JJBon June 29, 2021in Feast / Holy Days, Heritage Saints, Symbolism in Churches1 Comment

Three important “Apostolic fathers” of the Church are celebrated within a few days of each other. On June 29 is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul who had great influence on the Western Church; and on July 3 is the Feast of Saint Thomas, who had a great impact on the Eastern Church. Each of these apostles of Jesus contributed greatly to the spread of Christianity in the early years of the Church after Jesus death.