A Mother’s love has no expiration date!

I love my mother.

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Both of them!

The one God entrusted me to…

here on earth.

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My mother is the most supportive person in the world.  (She’s magical!)

And the One who…

waits for me in Heaven.

(Our Virgin Mother, Mary.)

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When life gets hard and you feel all alone, remember you mean the world to someone.  And that someone is called Mother.

One of the reasons I love them, and count myself blessed to have them, is the constant support, guidance, and protection they have offered me throughout my life.

They have both been there to celebrate in my greatest joys!

But more importantly… to assist me in carrying my heaviest trials.

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Photo courtesy of Pinterest

And in a culture that promotes “My Mom is Cooler than your mom,” or “My Mom is hotter than your mom,” I am grateful that my mother(s)’ example to me was not built on appearance or popularity but instead…

on prayer.

(Because nothing is more cool or beautiful than to see your Mother pray!)

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It is the greatest example I have ever been given!

And it is the one strength I have run to the most in my own vocation of Motherhood. (For the power of a mother’s prayers cannot be easily defeated.)_MG_8910

No matter how old I may be it will be their voice I will hear consoling me.

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So it was that several days ago I sought my Heavenly Mother’s voice as I entered into a Novena with her.  Each day she has reminded me of the beautiful gift, both have given me, in their love which holds no expiration.

Perhaps you too need the voice of your mother today!

Won’t you join me in prayer to find her there?

Unfailing Novena To The Virgin Mary Untier of Knots

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How this devotion started?

To show us the mission granted to the Virgin Mary by Her Son, an artist Johann Melchior Georg Schmittdner painted Mary Undoer of Knots with great grace. Since 1700, His painting has been venerated in the Church of St. Peter in Perlack, Augsburg, Germany. It was originally inspired by a meditation of Saint Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyon and martyred in 202) based on the parallel made by Saint Paul between Adam and Christ. Saint Irenaeus, in turn, made a comparison between Eve and Mary, saying:“Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it”.

But what are these knots?
There are the problems and struggles we face for which we do not see any solution … knots of discord in your family, lack of understanding between parents and children, disrespect, violence, the knots of deep hurts between husband and wife, the absence of peace and joy at home. There are also the knots of anguish and despair of separated couples, the dissolution of the family, the knots of a drug addict son or daughter, sick or separated from home or God, knots of alcoholism, the practice of abortion, depression, unemployment, fear, solitude…Ah, the knots of our life! How they suffocate the soul, beat us down and betray the heart’s joy and separate us from God.

Day after day, more and more Christians kneel to pray to Her as soon as they meet the Mother of the Fair Love. Many families have become reconciled! Many diseases have been healed! Many spouses have returned to the Church! Many jobs have been given! Many conversions have taken place! Many have been on their knees praying and giving thanks for graces received from our sweet Mother. For that reason, Mary Who undoes the knots, Who was chosen by God to crush the evil with Her feet, comes to us to reveal Herself. She comes to provide jobs, good health, to reconcile families, because She wants to undo the knots of sin which dominate our lives, so that – as children of the King – we can receive the promises reserved for us from eternity. She comes with promises of victory, peace, blessings and reconciliation.

Then, free from our knots – filled with happiness, we can be a testimony of the Divine Power in this world, like pieces of God’s heart or small bottles of perfume exhaling mercy and love to our neighbor. Like ambassador of Jesus Christ and the Virgin of the fair love, we can rescue those who cry without any consolation, those who are lonely, tied with knots, who have no God, no Father nor Mother.

Mother of the Rising Sun, Immaculate, our Advocate, Helper in moments of affliction, Mother of God and made by Him our Mother, this is how Mary, Undoer of Knots is presented. Above all, She comes as the Queen of Mercy, the one who knows all about us, who has compassion for us and hurries to rescue us, praying for each one of us to Her beloved Jesus.

(source: http://www.maryundoerofknots.com/history.htm)

For more information on this beautiful devotion:
http://www.desatadora.com.ar/titulo-i.htm
http://www.mariequidefaitlesnoeuds.com/GB/index

The Novena has the Cardinal ecclesiastical approval, receiving the “NIHIL OBSTAT and IMPRIMATUR
Imprimatur Paris Archdiocese

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Photo Courtesy of Kristyn Brown Photography!  Be sure to check out her stunning photos, especially The Saints Project.

hugs n’ blessings for every knot undone!

(As there can be no limit when untied through the love of a Mother.)

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“Let them come to me…”

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Held every three years and sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family, the World Meeting of Families is the world’s largest Catholic gathering of families. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme that energizes and enlivens the event while adding great depth of meaning to our understanding of families. The theme of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 is “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” emphasizing the impact of the love and life of families on our society.  Since its inception by Saint John Paul II in 1994, the World Meeting of Families has strengthened the sacred bonds of families across the globe.

On June 30th, 2015, the Vatican released the comprehensive itinerary for Pope Francis’ journey to the United States, including his schedule for Philadelphia on September 26-27, which will close the 6-day Apostolic Journey.  And ever-since that day I, (along with millions of others) have anticipated his arrival.  I am still pinchity-pinching myself that I will be there!

Call me a fanatic,  Jesus-freak, (did you know this is described in the urban dictionary???) Pope-stalker, or the likes; but really…it’s not that dramatic nor romantic!  I’m just in awe of my God. I’m in awe of His love for me.  His love for others. And the deep-desire He has to reign down his grace and His mercy upon us.  God can never be outdone in His generosity & as I have opened my heart to Him more & more I have seen this great love FOR US…Every.  Single.  Day.

My enthusiasm for Our Holy Father is rooted in his “YES” to God to lead us in this endeavor.  Pope Francis’ trust in God, strengthens my trust in him and in my Church.  He leads me, guides me, & reminds me what the Gospels teach.  I am grateful for the courage he embraces to be challenged, mocked, judged, and ridiculed for this trust in a God he knows intimately.  And I am inspired that Pope Francis encourages, invites, and WELCOMES everyone to partake in this same unconditional love our Heavenly Father offers, as we place our trust in Him.  The Pope reminds each of us: we are ALL sinners, himself included, BUT that Jesus stands AT the door of our hearts & knocks.  However, WE must open the door!!  The door-handle is ours to hold, to turn, to open.  And I pray, if it hasn’t already been done, countless people, through the blessings of the Holy Father’s visit,  find themselves pulling open the door which separates them from receiving God’s great love for them.  This is what Christs’ vicar is showing us how to do in his papacy and I am so grateful…I cannot wait to be in Philly so I may tell him so!

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Mary, Undoer of Knots Grotto Philadelphia, Pa
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Mary, Undoer of Knots Grotto Philadelphia, Pa
Exactly how will I tell him??? (I promise not to break any security-breeches in my endeavor.) Through my prayers, of course!  My participation in this pilgrimage will be encased in prayers.  All forms of prayer!  Prayers of sacrifice & fasting.  Prayers of gratitude, intentions & petitions.  (To discover the difference between the two click on the link.)  And I am collecting all forms from anyone who desires me to include theirs with mine.  I will offer them at the final Papal Mass or if I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit the Mary, Undoer of Knots Grotto in Philly I promise to “tie” your prayers to this special location.

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My first prayer, after delivering all the others brought from each of you, will be as I said earlier, my gratitude.  However, my biggest prayer is inspired by the tender-little-one shown below.  Her message tugs at my heart for personal reasons.  And her message is so very poignant to what the theme for The World Meetings of Families is all about…LOVE IS OUR MISSION.   May it remain a theme in our lives forever…for the sake of our families…for the sake of one another.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14

hugs n’ blessings to all the little-ones who: “try to do my best in my heart.”  

So that everyone can smile…

HAPPY bee-lated!

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happy, happy, (albeit bee-lated) to you, Oh Sacred Mother!

i was with you through-out the day (yesterday)…

and yet i never had the chance to write & say,

just how much i loved honoring…

your birthday!

“The Lord has chosen her, his loved one from the beginning.” ~ The Liturgy of the Hours

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“Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, proclaims joy to the whole world, for from you arose the glorious Sun of Justice, Christ our God; he freed us from the age-old curse an filled us with holiness; he destroyed death and gave us eternal life.” ~The Liturgy of the Hours, Canticle of Zechariah Antiphon September 8

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“Blessed are you, O Mary, for the word’s salvation came forth from you; now in glory, you rejoice for ever with the Lord.  Intercede for us with your Son.”  ~The Liturgy of the Hours, Common of the BVM Antiphon 1

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“Eve shut all her children out of Paradise; the Virgin Mary opened wide its gates.” ~The Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Prayer Antiphon

We commemorate the birth of the blessed Virgin Mary, a descendant of Abraham,

born of the tribe of Judah and of David’s seed.”

~The Liturgy of the Hours, Common of the BVM

may her Motherly hugs n’ blessings be your today!