Beads of Joy Blog II (2025)

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God A Reflection on Luke 2:16-21 A New Year Begins with Mary's Heart When the shepherds arrived at the stable that first Christmas, they found exactly what the angels had promised: a newborn child lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. But they found something else too, something the Gospel tells us with quiet power. They found Mary, and Mary was watching. She was listening. She was taking everything in. While the shepherds burst with excitement, telling everyone what they had heard about this child, Mary "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." As we begin this new year on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, we're invited to learn from her example of faith, pondering, and trust. Mary teaches us something essential about how to live our faith. She doesn't rush past the mystery of what God is doing. She doesn't demand all the answers immediately. Instead, she treasures each moment, each word, eac...

January 2026 Marian Celebration Opening Prayer Blessed Mother Mary, as we begin this new year under your maternal protection, we ask you to guide our hearts closer to your Son. Throughout this month, help us to contemplate the many ways you have appeared to your children across the centuries, offering comfort, hope, and the pathway to Jesus. May each day deepen our love for you and strengthen our faith in your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Daily Reflections January 1 - Circumcision of Our Lord; Mary, Mother of God. On this solemn feast, we honor Mary's divine motherhood as Jesus receives the name given by the angel and enters fully into the covenant of his people. Mary pondered these mysteries in her heart, witnessing her infant Son's first shedding of blood, a foreshadowing of his sacrifice on Calvary. As we begin the new year, let us place ourselves under the patronage of the Mother of God, asking her to present all our intentions to her divine Son. January...