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Friends of the Rosary:

On December 9th, we celebrate St. Juan Diego, the indigenous Aztec pagan convert whose encounter with the Virgin Mary in 1531 began the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Juan Diego was hurrying to Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In the native Aztec dialect, a radiant heavenly woman announced herself as the “ever-perfect holy Mary, who has the honor to be the mother of the true God.”

“I am your compassionate Mother, yours and that of all the people that live together in this land,” she continued, “and also of all the other various lineages of men.”

She asked Juan Diego to request the local bishop. “I want very much that they build my sacred little house here” — a house dedicated to her son Jesus Christ, on the site of a former pagan temple, that would show him to all Mexicans and exalt him throughout the world. The Mexico City basilica and the tilma of Juan Diego — the traditional cloak-like garment he was wearing containing the flowers until he had reached the local bishop — has become one of the world's most-visited Catholic shrines.

St. John Paul II beatified St. Juan Diego in 1990 and canonized him in 2002.

Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!St. Juan Diego, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York



• ⁠December 9, 2023, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

 

Friends of the Rosary:

Today, December 8th, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this feast, we celebrate with great joy God’s gift to humanity in Mary.

From the very moment of her conception, in the womb of her mother Anne, Mary received the grace of salvation in Christ. She was conceived free from original sin.

The Holy Virgin was granted this extraordinary privilege because of Her unique role in history as the Mother of God.

In 1854, Pope Pius IX's in the solemn declaration of "Ineffabilis Deus” proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

"The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin."

The Church of Christ holds Mary as a model for all humanity in Her holiness and Her purity in her willingness to accept the Plan of God for her.

Mary’s Fiat — “Let it be done to me according to Thy Word,” — in response of the Angel Gabriel’s greeting, is the response required of all Christians to God’s Plan.

Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York



• December 8, 2023, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Friends of the Rosary:

The well-known hymn “Joy to the World,” captures the essence of Advent beautifully:

Joy to the world, the Lord has comeLet Earth receive her KingLet every heart prepare Him roomAnd Heaven and nature sing.

"I am the light of the world," Christ Jesus revealed.

And the best person we can turn to for help during the time of waiting Advent is Mary Our Mother.

She awaited the day of His birth with with prayerfulness, purity, and whole-hearted submission to God's will. Her preparation was complete.

Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York



• ⁠December 7, 2023, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

  

Friends of the Rosary:

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas of Myra, one of the most popular saints in the Western world. He was born in Lycia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and was a 4th century saint and Bishop of Myra.

He was know for practicing spiritual and corporal works of mercy, helping the poor and disadvantaged, and working tirelessly to defend the faith.

Popular legends has made St. Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, into today's Santa Claus, a jolly, white-bearded man from the North Pole who who captivates children with promises of gifts on Christmas Eve.The story of Saint Nicholas came to America in distorted fashion. The Dutch Protestants carried a popularized version of the saint's life to New Amsterdam, portraying Nicholas as a Nordic magician and wonder-worker.

Our present-day conception of Santa Claus has grown from this version. We Catholic should think of Nicholas as a saint, a confessor of the faith and the bishop of Myra.

His relics are still preserved in the church of San Nicola in Bari; an oily substance, known as Manna di S. Nicola, which is highly valued for its medicinal powers, is said to flow from them.

Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York



• ⁠December 6, 2023, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Friends of the Rosary:

Advent is a spiritual journey to prepare us for the arrival of Christ. The meaning of the word advent is arrival.

Preparation makes the solemnity of the Nativity (Christmas) more meaningful. Easter has Lent and Christmas has Advent. 

The four Sundays leading up to Christmas are an invitation to reflect on the holy event of the birth of baby Jesus and why He came back.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah, in 9:2, explained it. "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light."

The light of the world. 

Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York



• ⁠December 5, 2023, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

  

Friends of the Rosary:

Advent is the time for a fresh start. We are invited to strengthen our friendship with Christ Jesus by setting time aside for Him.

God becomes man — one of us, dwelling with us in our daily lives. His light flows into our sinful existence to illuminate it and remind us of the need to live in the service of others.

By remembering Christ’s first coming at Bethlehem, our mind is directed to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time.

And as we don’t know when our Lord is coming we must be vigilant and watchful.

On this Monday of the first week of Advent, we pray the Joyful Mysteries.

Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York



• December 4, 2023, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET