Category: Our Lady

De Maria numquam satis (Concerning Mary never enough). Welcome to the golden pages of Catholicism.org. In the spirit of Saint Bernard’s maxim, this website abounds with over fifty articles in praise of Our Lady, with additional links to the greatest books written about her. Readers will find devotional, theological, apologetical, and liturgical works all contributing to exalt the Mother of God and magnify her name, whose soul so immeasurably magnifies the Lord.

Although the articles appear randomly, one can peruse the titles and find those that fit the need for the moment. Perhaps, the need is to educate a Protestant, or lax Catholic, who has questioned why the Catholic faithful give so much prominence to Mary. Perhaps it is to refute an aggressive heretic who had challenged you on one or more of Our Lady’s unique and singular privileges.

Since the vast majority of our readers need no convincing of Mary’s greatness, which is so condign with her vocation as God’s Mother, many of these articles aim to foster an increase of devotion to and confidence in her. Anything on the site pertaining to the works of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort will be especially helpful in this regard.

Knowledge, as a gift of the Holy Ghost (one of the seven), begets love. That is why Saint Bernard never tired of reading, speaking, and writing about Mary. Is there a doctor of the Church who did not write about Mary? No. Many, in fact, especially during and after the Middle Ages, wrote entire treatises and books about her. Many wrote hymns in honor of her. But these are only those declared “doctors.” Hundreds of other saints, and holy men and women, have filled volumes in praise of her. Liturgies have been composed around her both in the East and the West. The third ecumenical council (Ephesus in 431) was summoned to defend her Divine Maternity, calling her by her traditional title of Theotokos (Mother of God). And, indirectly, the fourth ecumenical council (451), was held to defend her very Maternity, for the issue being contested by the heretics at that time was whether Jesus had a true human nature. Read about the one you love and you will keep her in your heart, and she more ardently will keep you in hers.

God’s Own Mother

Reply

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 →

Mother of Mercy

Reply

Our Blessed Lady told St. Bridget that she was the Mother not only of the just and innocent, but also of sinners, provided they are willing to repent. O how prompt does a sinner (desirous of amend­ment, and who flies … Continue reading →

Two Perfect Women

2

On this vigil of the Our Lord’s Nativity, my thoughts are on two perfect women. The promise of another installment on Father Arnold Damen is not forgotten. It is being kept, but the piece I began to write grew to … Continue reading →

Mary’s Perpetual Virginity

11

“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 →

Our Lady of the Pillar

2

Perhaps the oldest devotion to Our Lady in Europe is the devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar. In Spain, Pilar is a popular girl’s name, as is Mercedes for Our Lady of Mercy. (In fact, General Franco named one … Continue reading →

Rosary Campaign for Peace in India

Reply

Bangalore, Nov 29, 2008 / 08:01 am (CNA).- Following a campaign in which nearly 500,000 Rosaries were prayed, a prayer initiative held for the victims of anti-Christian persecution in Orissa and elsewhere in India has ended in Bangalore. More here.