In 434 A.D., St. Vincent of Lerins, a priest of the monastery at Lerins, a pair of islands lying off the Bay of Cannes, wrote in defense of Mary’s title, “Mother of God,” which had been attacked through various Christological … Continue reading
Author Archives: Mark Alessio
Jesus and Mary: The Perfect Harmony
For two thousand years now, scholars, theologians, and poets have attempted to plumb the depths of a certain human being in order to gain a better understanding and appreciation of God’s love for suffering humanity. They have studied the doctrines … Continue reading
Mary’s Perpetual Virginity
“The friends of Christ refuse to admit subsequent marital relations between Joseph and Mary. Accordingly, those who denied the virginity post partum are not the friends of Christ; they are not true Christians.” (St. Basil the Great +379) People of … Continue reading
The Poet’s Eye: Gerard Manley Hopkins’ “Margaret Clitheroe”
Of all the books I have read on the lives of saints and holy personages, none has ever moved or inspired me as did Dr. Malcolm Brennan’s Martyrs of the English Reformation. Perhaps it was because, beside such luminaries as … Continue reading
Mary’s Universal Mediation
“For there is one God, and One Mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5) In the minds of Protestant apologists, these words of St. Paul are the ultimate “talisman,” a charm which is supposed to “protect” Bible-believing Christians from … Continue reading
Holy Mary – the Flower of Carmel
Thy head is like Carmel: and the hairs of thy head as the purple of the king bound in the channels. (Cant. 7:5) In the ancient land of Palestine lies Mount Carmel (in Hebrew, Hakkarmel, “the garden”), the crown of … Continue reading
Mary, Advocate Of the Church
“While the prayers of those in heaven have, it is true, some claim on God’s watchful eye, Mary’s prayers place their assurance in a mother’s right. For that reason, when she approaches her Divine Son’s throne, as Advocate she begs, … Continue reading
