Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

✠ | TODAY'S READINGS

The readings for this solemn day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary so eloquently give us an insight into how the most beloved prayer of our Catholic Faith, the Hail Mary came to be so revered.  We learn how from birth Mary was chosen to be Mother to the infant Jesus by carrying Him in her womb through the miracle of the Holy Spirit.  Mary was Blessed by God and without sin from birth so that when it was time to bring the Son of God into this world she was chosen, Mary Immaculate.

The Hail Mary is the prayer I turn to on a daily basis to give me the strength to face the challenges of the day ahead.  To know that Mary was the special messenger sent by God to conceive and carry the Infant Jesus and to realize that this Prayer is simple but so powerful gives me hope each and every day that our challenges are recognized by God and this simple prayer will help us know that His love for Mary and his Infant Son, Jesus is strong.  He is with us always.  Mary is the messenger of God’s true love for all his children and the repetition of saying the Hail Mary helps us have the faith we need to accept the trials and tribulations we face in our lives.

The season of the birth of our Lord Jesus is a special time in our Catholic faith and should be cherished for the message it gives us that God makes all things possible and Mary’s Immaculate Conception should give us the strength and resilience to manage our lives through our faith in God.

To wake each day and pray the Hail Mary gives me hope that better times are ahead and that God cares for us and loves us…this gives me faith to carry on no matter how difficult and challenging my life seems to be in that moment, God will provide!!

Cathy McDermott, SFC '74

Our Lady of Lourdes, Blessed Virgin Mary
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception 
Painting by Magdalena Walulik