x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
One snowy New Year’s Eve, my Grandma Kathryn was on her way to Mass to celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. Having lived in rural Iowa her entire life, she was intimately familiar with icy road conditions, but she was still rather surprised when her copper Mercury Monterey slid right underneath a semi-trailer! Throwing herself sideways, she lay flat on the seat and emerged unscathed … but missed Mass. To make up for missing her obligation, she attended Mass twice the following Sunday. This kind of commitment to Mass attendance is unusual in today’s culture, but back then, Holy Days of Obligation were universal days off work, restaurants boasted fish specials on Fridays, and most businesses were closed on Sundays. My son’s seminary rector, Father Daniel Barnett, comments that today, we are living in a post-Christian society, observing that secular principles have trumped traditional Christian ideals. My friend, Margaret, lived in a similar time, albeit 500 years ago. Political and religious unrest made the time uncertain and even dangerous for Catholics. Sweeping pandemics and the loss of her husband to illness left her to fend for herself and her five young children alone. But her faith sustained her. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
Share
