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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Blessed Mother | Catholic Motherhood | parenting advice
While scrolling on X, I saw a post from an account I didn’t follow (and whose name I don’t remember) with a message that stuck in my mind: “We should never hesitate to take our requests to Mary. Like any mother, Our Lady loves it when her children turn to her, even to ask for trivial things.” Even trivial things? My heart warmed at the thought. As a mother myself, I tend to answer requests, trivial or otherwise, with a hasty no and little room for discussion. But according to the post, I could ask the Queen of Heaven for any favor, and not only would she respond with the maternal patience I so often lack, but she might even say yes. Watching and Waiting The next morning, I finished my Rosary and sat gazing out the sunroom window. I’d stocked the feeders with seed, and a dozen or so squabbling finches arrived right on schedule. Sipping my coffee, I watched as they bumped each other from perch to perch. It was early May, the time of year when a bright, orange-breasted oriole might show up if you’d remembered to set something out for him.
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Marian devotion | family prayer | pray the rosary
Mom! ... Mommy! ... Mama! If your house is anything like mine, you are called upon many times a day. My kids never tire of calling out, “Mom” for a variety of reasons. I find it funny when people say they are “tired” of saying the Hail Mary, especially as part of the Rosary: It’s so repetitive. Calling on our mother is innate. God wired us to cry out for our mothers, to seek comfort from them, and to depend on them throughout our lives. This includes not only our earthly mothers but also our heavenly Mother, Mary. "Mom, what’s for dinner?" The variety of statements that follow our “Mom” title can be: "Mom, I need x, y, z for school … did you fill out that paperwork for camp … where is my (fill in the blank) ... I am sad … I need help with (school subject )... can you untie this knot … what’s for dinner?
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Today's Gospel resonates with a profound tenderness, a direct whisper from the heart of Jesus: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." "I will come back and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be." This is the very essence of our Christian hope: we are not destined for isolation, for a lonely end. Our ultimate purpose is communion, a deep and abiding connection with Christ himself.
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The ending of our first reading and the beginning of today's Gospel passage both convey important messages about humility. In the first, John the Baptist says about Jesus: “Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.” This is in response to John’s good work in preparing the way for the Lord, but the people wondered if John was the Messiah they had long awaited. John humbly and correctly explains to the people who he is and how he relates to the Messiah.
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I come from India where the most famous sport is cricket. In the game of cricket, a team consists of eleven players on the field, and a twelfth man. The "12th man" is a substitute player who primarily serves as a reserve player, always on the bench, never in the spotlight, yet faithfully attending every practice, studying every play, and cheering on their teammates. While not part of the playing eleven, this player is crucial for stepping in when a teammate is injured or needs a break. The 12th man often delivers drinks, equipment, and messages to players on the field, ensuring the team's smooth operation during a match. Their role, though behind the scenes, is vital for team morale and readiness.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
God teaches us in many different ways and places. Back when I lived in Taunton at St. Mary’s I used to go for walks around the neighborhood and it wasn’t long before I noticed all the Our Lady of Fatima statues with the three kneeling children in so many front yards. Now, this was a new thing for a guy from Quincy where the Irish who had a statue of the Blessed Mother kept her in the back yard all to ourselves! Because Quincy was mostly Irish and Italian, we focused on Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Knock. So, there I was walking through a new experience of faith and one that wasn’t in backyards but right out front.
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