Ave Maria (Schubert) Sung by Andrea Boccelli
https://youtu.be/pwp1CH5R-w4
Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod) Instrumental by
Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott
https://youtu.be/hyUhEjtlDLA
Merry Christmas!
Dawn Pisturino
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Monday, November 2, 2020
Miraculous Medal of Our Lady
According to the story that has been passed down through generations of Catholics, Catherine Laboure was a French girl who lost her mother when she was nine years old. Not wishing to be without a mother, she reverently removed a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary from a shelf and said to it, "Now, dear Blessed Mother; now YOU will be my Mother."
Catherine was a devout and obedient girl who cared for her father and siblings. When she was old enough, she became a postulant in the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France. She fervently prayed that someday she would see the Blessed Mother face to face.
The Blessed Mother granted her prayers on July 18, 1830 when she appeared to Catherine and said to her, "God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace to do what is necessary." She also warned of great turbulence and persecutions around the world. Then she disappeared.
On November 27, 1830, the Blessed Mother appeared to Catherine again. This time, she ordered her to "have a medal struck after this model [the Blessed Mother standing on a globe]. All who wear it will receive great graces."
As word spread and people began wearing the medal, great blessings began to shower down on its devotees. The medal was soon called the "Miraculous Medal."
Catherine Laboure became St. Catherine for her obedience and devotion to the Blessed Mother.
What can WE do to spread devotion to Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ, around the world?
Prayer to the Miraculous Medal
O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate,
We dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of your affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son. O Most Powerful Virgin, Mother of Our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death; so that in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of Heaven forever.
Amen.
Dawn Pisturino
November 2, 2020
Copyright 2020 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Our Lady of Zeitoun in Cairo, Egypt
Our Lady of Zeitoun Apparition,
Zeitoun, Cairo, Egypt
The Middle East has had its share of Marian apparitions. After all, Muslims also believe in Mary as the Mother of Jesus. And Christians still reside there, even though they have become a minority group.
On April 2, 1968, thousands of people in Cairo, Egypt witnessed a sighting of the Blessed Holy Mother on the roof of St. Mary Coptic Church in the Zeitoun district. This church has traditionally been regarded as a stopping point for the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt.
A Muslim bus mechanic, Farouk Mohammed Atwa, was working in his shop across the street when he happened to notice a young woman standing on the roof of the church. Thinking she was about to commit suicide, he telephoned the police. A horrified crowd gathered to watch. By the time the police arrived a few minutes later, the girl had disappeared.
But exactly a week later, on April 9th, she appeared again. This time, the crowds recognized her as the Blessed Virgin Mary. People were ecstatic! She began to appear more frequently and to stay longer. Even President Gamal Abdel Nasser came to Cairo and witnessed the apparition.
Although the Vatican was notified of the apparition by some nuns who had witnessed it, they elected to stay out of the controversy. The Coptic Church declared the apparition genuine on May 5, 1968.
The Egyptian government investigated, and the people of Cairo accepted the apparition as real. The Lady of Zietoun appeared for the last time in 1971.
Why did the Blessed Virgin Mary appear to the people of Cairo - an Islamic city? The Middle East was in turmoil at that time. People were afraid. The apparition gave people hope and comfort. Her appearance strengthened the bond between Coptic Christians, Catholics, and Muslims.
Mary isn't just a mother to Catholics. She is a mother to ALL PEOPLE who embrace her.
Dawn Pisturino
April 19, 2020
Copyright 2020 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Our Lady of Loreto
The Holy House of Nazareth in the Basilica at Loreto, Italy has been known as the house where the Blessed Virgin was born, and where the Annunciation occurred, for centuries. A statue of the Blessed Virgin within the Basilica is known as Our Lady of Loreto. According to Catholic tradition, angels transported the Holy House from Nazareth in Palestine to Tersato, Dalmatia in 1291 to escape Muslim invaders. Angels later moved it to Recanati, Italy in 1294 and then to Loreto, Italy, where it still stands. Our Lady of Loreto became the patron saint of people working in aviation and construction because of the miraculous and unusual removal of the Holy House from Palestine to Italy. Analysis of the building materials used in the construction of the Holy House has proven that the building was built in Palestine and, particularly, in Nazareth.
December 10th is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Loreto.
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son,
Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us.
Mother of Our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of Our Savior, pray for us.
Mother of mercy, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Mother most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honor, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of Ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of prophets, pray for us.
Queen of apostles, pray for us.
Queen of martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors, pray for us.
Queen of virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.
Queen of the clergy, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
(Approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587)
Have a Happy and Blessed Easter!
Dawn Pisturino
April 10, 2020
Copyright 2020 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, March 16, 2020
Our Lady of Knock - Queen of Ireland
Knock, West Ireland (Cnoc Mhuire - "Mary's Hill") was blessed on August 21, 1879 with an apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist carrying the book of Gospels, and the symbol of the Cross and the Lamb resting on an unadorned altar. Angels were observed adoring Jesus (represented by the Cross and the Lamb.) The village church - where the apparition occurred outside in the midst of a rainstorm - seemed to glow with a strange light. The heavenly figures appeared full-bodied, radiating a luminous light.
At the time, Knock was experiencing a major crop failure. The apparition gave hope to the Irish people.
Pilgrimages to Knock began in 1880. Many miraculous healings were reported. The Knock Shrine Society was created in August 21, 1935.
Decades after they witnessed the apparition, Mary Byrne O'Connell and Patrick Byrne confirmed what they saw to a commission set up to investigate the miraculous event.
During Marian Year 1954, Pope Pius XII recognized the Knock Shrine as an important Marian Shrine.
In 1976, the Church of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland, opened to the public. The church was designated a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1979. The first National Novena was held at Knock in 1977. In 1993, 50,000 people flooded the Shrine to see Mother Teresa.
Prayers to Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland
I.
Great Mary,
Greatest of Marys,
Greatest of Women,
Mother of Eternal Glory,
Mother of the Golden Light,
Honor of the Sky,
Temple of the Divinity,
Fountain of the gardens,
Serene as the Moon,
Bright as the Sun,
Garden Enclosed,
Temple of the Living God,
Light of Nazareth,
Beauty of the World,
Queen of Life,
Ladder of Heaven,
Mother of God.
Pray for us.
II.
Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland,
You gave hope to our people
In a time of distress and comforted them in sorrow.
You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence
To your divine Son, remembering this promise:
"Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find."
Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims
On the road to Heaven.
Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Especially those who live with me.
Comfort me when I am sick or lonely or depressed.
Teach me how to take part
Ever more reverently in the holy Mass.
Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death.
Amen.
Have a Blessed Saint Patrick's Day. Honor your Irish roots. Pray for the Catholic Church.
Dawn Pisturino
March 16, 2020
Copyright 2020 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Winds Through the Olive Trees
I sang this Christmas carol in choir when I was a child, and its haunting melody never left me. I recently looked up the lyrics because it's a carol that's not very often heard.
Winds Through the Olive Trees
Winds through the olive trees,
Softly did blow.
Round little Bethlehem,
Long, long ago.
Sheep on the hillside lay
Whiter than snow,
Shepherds were watching them,
Long, long ago.
Then from the happy skies
Angels bent low,
Singing their songs of joy;
Long, long ago.
For in a manger bed
Cradled we know,
Christ came to Bethlehem
Long, long ago.
* * *
Such a beautiful pastoral scene! Peace, comfort, and joy abound in this simple song. We can easily envision the parental happiness of Joseph and Mary with their newborn baby boy. Their simple faith and profound trust in God's will laid the groundwork for Christ's mission later on: to bring God's all-embracing love into the world.
On January 6, 2020, we remembered the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. These learned men, bearing magnificent and meaningful gifts, humbled themselves before an innocent babe. In their wisdom, they saw the great sacrifice this child would make for the entire world. They foresaw Mary's great burden of grief. But they also saw the hope and salvation that future generations would receive. They protected the Holy Child from Herod's greedy grasp, fully understanding that the world would never be the same again.
Dawn Pisturino
Copyright 2020 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
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