Wonderful Churches, Shrines and Devotions
Information about churches and shrines across the world – and devotions to Mother Mary and the Saints.
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.
Read More “Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 4 – The Miraculous Medal and Grace”
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.
Read More “Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 3 – Our Lady of Vailankanni”
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.
Read More “Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 2 – The Hail Mary Prayer”
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.
Read More “Novena to Our Lady of Good Health – Day 1 – Miracle at Cana”
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.
Read More “Apostles Out Front: Saints Peter, Paul and Thomas”
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a Solemnity this year on June 11. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated on the following day. Both of these feasts are focused on love with the heart as a symbolic representation. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a reflection on Jesus’ heart full of love for humanity, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary shows the fullness of Mary’s heart with love for the Savior.
Read More “Hearts of Love: Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary”
Monday May 24th, 2021 is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church – a new Memorial in the Church calendar. Mary the Mother of Jesus is known by numerous titles in the Church, some of which are designated for celebration as Solemnities, Feasts or Memorials. Three Solemnities are Holy Days of Obligation, and some of the most well-known titles of Mary are celebrated on these days: Mary, Mother of God (Jan 1); Mary, Assumed into Heaven (Aug 15); and the Immaculate Conception (Dec 8).
Read More “Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church – Celebrated on Monday after Pentecost”
May 1st is known as “May Day”, a celebration of working classes and laborers, that was started in 1889 in response to difficult working conditions and long hours during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. In order to incorporate the sacredness of work into the secular holiday, in 1955, Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker to be celebrated on May 1st.
“Jesus, I trust in You”, a now familiar message, is from an image is less than 100 years old (1934) and Divine Mercy Sunday has been celebrated for only 20 years! The celebration of the 50 days of Easter continues this Sunday with the message: God loves all and His mercy is greater that sin. Sunday’s feast reminds all to call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through to others. Thus, all will come to share this joy.
After emerging from 40 days of Lent, now is the time to rejoice in the 50 days of the Easter Season. One practice to aid in keeping the joy of Easter alive is the praying of the Via Lucis – The Stations of the Resurrection. Via Lucis is Latin for Way of Light.
