In the December 2015 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, Mary was on the cover...
She is also well known in the Koran, named Maryam (Mary) and is the holiest woman mentioned.
She is a direct link between Christians and Muslims.
How the Virgin Mary Became the World’s Most Powerful Woman ←just click for reading the full story.
Perfect for her Feast of Immaculate Conception on December 8
Mary has been Patroness of the United States of America since mid–19th century.
Already in 1584, one of the U.S.A.'s first Catholic Churches in Jacksonville, Florida—Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
Both of us have been fortunate for having been there a few times, see below post.
Wishing you also a Blessed Advent Season!
Related link:
Dad Sang Avé Maria from Bach-Gounod | previous post by me
{W.A. Mozart Composed this Heavenly Mass in C, K 167 at Age 17} | previous post by me about Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Jacksonville, FL
Wishing you a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteThank you and may that apply to the entire world as we all need it so badly!
Hugs,
Mariette
Bel post,buona festa dell'Immacolata.
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteGrazie e altrettanto!
Abbracci,
Mariette
Hoy es festivo en España. Aquí en mi país, es un día muy celebrado,
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Querida Antónia,
DeleteTambién aquí y asistimos a misa.
Abrazos,
Mariette
Thank you for this wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteYou are quite welcome and the entire world needs her intercession badly.
Hugs,
Mariette
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the Principal Patroness of the Philippines where I spent most of my life as a priest. As it happens, I was invited today to the 50th birthday celebration of a Filipina friend of mine living near me here in Ireland whose name is Concepcion. (So many Filipinos have 'brought their name with them'!) It was great to taste Filipino food again. Maybe the Lord will have Filipinos in charge of the Heavenly Banquet!
ReplyDeleteDearest Father Seán,
DeleteGuess there will be many countries where Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is Patroness! You were lucky today for getting a 'heavenly' food sample—closely related to the Indonesian food also. We certainly do MISS that.
Hugs,
Mariette
Mary certainly is the most inspirational woman in my mind. Mariette. What a blessing she was, and still is, to the world.
ReplyDeleteDearest Martha Jane,
DeleteMary always will be a strong intercessor for all human beings!
Hugs,
Mariette
I would love to have this National Geographic with Mother Mary on the cover. She is very special to me, and brings me peace often when I say the Rosary.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
**thank you for sharing your Dutch memories of Saint Nicholas, Mariette. I enjoyed reading about them. : )
Dearest Sheri,
DeleteWell, if you want me to mail it to you—with LOVE!
Just leave me your name and address in a comment, which I of course will not publish here!
Our heavenly Mother is a special Lady to all of us!
Hugs,
Mariette
The Virgin Mary is indeed the most powerful woman in the world!
ReplyDeleteIn the Greek Orthodox Church we celebrate today, 9th Dec. the conception of the Holy Virgin Mary by Saint Anne. So all women named Anne celebrate their name-day today.
Many hugs, dearest Mariette!
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteYes she sure IS and will always remain to be just that!
IF I would be Greek, I'd celebrate another name–day today as my second name is Anna, my first one is Maria...
Congrats to you too!
Hugs,
Mariette
Buon fine settimana 🌹
ReplyDeleteCaro Giancarlo,
DeleteGrazie e altrettanto.
Abbracci,
Mariette
I pray the rosary twice a day - first thing in the morning and just before I go to bed. Mary is precious to me.
ReplyDeleteShe is indeed the most powerful woman in the world.
Hugs and blessings, dearest Mariette!
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteHow many rosaries will be prayed—still today as you just stated!
Mary is indeed precious and those that don't acknowledge the holy Mother of Jesus—have some serious problems.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi, Mariette!
ReplyDeleteMary was such an example for all of us, that want to be a true godly woman... I wish we could act more like her, than more like Eve sometimes, and I pray we can follow her example.
Have a blessed week and lots fo hugs to you and Pieter!
:)
Dearest Paula,
DeleteMary truly is our best example of how to endure human suffering and still be gracious.
Pieter and I found it most impressive to be in person in Fatima, Portugal during our trip Portugal/Spain by luxury bus from The Netherlands.
Fond memories of the multi–language praying by a large crowd.
All member of the same Family and destined to the very same end destination...
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh, when were you in Portugal? I've only been to Fatima passing through to Braga, when I go there to visit my mother's side of the family.
DeleteYou are right: we are all members of the same Family and destined to the very same end destination, so let's do the best we can and say like Mary: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38
Lots of hugs!
:)
Paula, we were there in September of 1994 on a bus with only 19 passengers, lots of legroom and luxury for traveling from The Netherlands to Spain Portugal.
DeleteYou can look here on our video (unlisted) that starts with Pond's India, Taj Mahal and then Spain Portugal: https://youtu.be/l4-fPjZoZiM
I've built in some clickable points and wrote most in Dutch but you maybe can help us with the name of the Cathedral at 1:01:09... I have searched and searched but in vain so far.
Some info I've added in English.
Big hugs to you both,
Pieter & Mariette
The Cathedral you went to is Mosteiro da Batalha. Nuno and I have been there, too and it is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHere are 2 links with informations:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batalha_Monastery
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/264/
I'm preparing dinner right now (spinach cannelloni with mushroom cream), so I'll see the complete video later.
Lots of huuuuggggsssssssss!!!
:)
Dearest Paula and Nuno,
DeleteThank you ever so much for revealing to us the name of this Monastery and Church.
We didn't know if it was a Cathedral or not... So it is also called Batalha Monastery Santa Maria da Vitória Church.
And it was only some 25 minutes away from Fatima so that explains exactly where we went with our bus.
Interesting to read about the deep roots of Portugal's Marian devotion!
Hugs,
Mariette
Always happy to help!
Delete;)
💞
DeleteIn Portugal, Mary is celebrated with great conviction.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Dearest Christina,
DeleteYes, we both did see and feel that when we visited Fatima.
Hugs,
Mariette