Novena – hugsnblessings

beloved saint, mother teresa

Published on September 5, 2025September 11, 2025 by Dawn MarieLeave a comment

Today is the Feast day of one of the most beloved of modern saints, Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was an Albanian nun and missionary. She was born in Skopje (modern Republic of Macedonia), then part of the Kosovo Vilayet in the Ottoman Empire. After leaving Macedonia she moved to Ireland and then to India, where she lived for most of her life.

Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation, which in 2012 consisted of over 4,500 sisters and was active in 133 countries. The sisters run hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis; soup kitchens; dispensaries and mobile clinics’ children’s and family counseling programs; orphanages; and schools.

These past 9 days I have been immersed in a Novena prayer directed to God inviting Saint Mother Teresa to intercede for my special intentions. This practice is rooted in early Christianity, where it is believed that the Apostles prayed for nine days leading up to Pentecost.

How is a Novena Prayed?

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two crowns

Published on August 14, 2025August 25, 2025 by Dawn Marie1 Comment

To win the entire world for the Immaculata and, through her, for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
St. Maximilian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe was born Raymund Kolbe in Poland on January 8th, 1894. Poland at this time was part of the Russian Empire. His father was a weaver and mother was a midwife. At age 12, Kolbe was given a vision of Our Lady. He wrote this: That night I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.

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completed

Published on July 24, 2022July 28, 2022 by Dawn MarieLeave a comment

Holy St. Charbel, pray for us!

Today, July 24, the Catholic Church celebrates the life of St. Charbel Makhlouf, a Maronite Catholic priest, monk, and hermit who is known for working miracles both during his life and after his death.