Amidst the growth of evil in our society… amidst the clamor for more self-determination and ‘freedom’ to do whatever one wants, people are becoming more coarse and vulgar. Television becomes more unfettered year after year. Marriages are destroyed at a rate of 50 percent and more. And in the uncontrolled communication arena know as the Internet – inquisitive children (and morally weakened adults) are beckoned… enticed to see and explore the basest of human sinfulness. It is no wonder that God is allowing much pain and suffering upon our society. May God have mercy upon us.

And yet – there is a woman – a holy and Immaculate woman who gives us example, leadership and hope. Her name is Mary – she is the mother of our Savior Jesus Christ. She has come to visit the world in several apparitions. There is a beautiful hymn about Mary. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard it sung. But this old hymn stays with me. It makes me yearn for restoration of my own Baptismal innocence. I beg forgiveness of my failings and ask for a holy and immaculate ‘Christ-ening’ in my life again. Here are the words of this hymn:

Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day; Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!
Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine; Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!
Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread; Mary the stem, Christ the Rose, blood-red!
Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood; Mary the cup; Christ the Saving Blood!
Mary the temple; Christ the temple’s Lord; Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!
Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest; Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!
Mary the mother, Christ the Mother’s Son By all things blest while endless ages run. Amen.

I urge each of us to renounce all that is impure, suggestive, coarse, vulgar or destructive of good value in society. Turn off the TV and not let our children hear or be exposed. Let us pray this day for Mary’s help to begin a journey back to the innocence and beauty given to man and woman in the Garden of Eden.

About the Author

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Deacon Tom

Deacon Tom Fox and his wife Dee are co-hosts of the CATHOLIC VITAMINS Podcast for over 6 1/2 years. Tom has also been a member of the Catholic Mom columnists team for eight years, and was a regular contributor to the Catholic Moments Podcast for three years. Most recently, Deacon Tom has been leading a project to bring Catholic radio to the north central Arizona community where he and Dee reside. Blessings!