Pixabay (2016), CC0 Public Domain[/caption]
If you’re still looking for something to do for Lent this year, or you'd like to keep your mind off the pile of sweets in your pantry that you gave up, I’d like to suggest consecrating yourself to Mary.
You’re probably thinking, "Whoa, how does she go from sweets to the Mother of Jesus?"
I know, the two are hardly connected — although sweets always qualify as heavenly in my book. The answer is, I don’t know. I also tend to use Phil Collins songs as references to a lot of stuff that has nothing to do with Phil Collins, so maybe that’s just the kind of person I am. The most Phil Collins has to offer Catholics is the song Something Happened On The Way To Heaven: "How many times can I say I’m sorry."
That actually works for Lent.
Anyway, after many penances from many different confessions, a few different priests suggested some form of Marian prayer for me along with the advice of getting to know her. Haily Marys. Asking Mary to intercede with XYZ, The Memorare — which I've gotten as penance quite a few times.
Honestly, until now, I never gave much thought to Mary. I wandered into my faith later in life — as recently as two years ago, being led by my late grandmother who is still able to reach through the time continuum every time I'm at the grocery store, to remind me to buy straws because I never had any in my house when she visited. I currently have six bags in my pantry.
For me, Mary was just another actress in the book until I bought and read 33 Days to Morning Glory. That's when I really started to understand the importance of her role (and why my grandma devoted most of her life to her and is likely helping me find my way down that same path she walked).
If you're not sure how to spend your Lent, fast from something you don't need that uses time you can put towards this daily retreat. Fasting + Prayer = two birds, people. You'll develop some great habits, and it might even change your life.
What this book has:
Copyright 2018 Christina Antus
- Daily readings that are, maybe, a 5- to 10-minute read.
- A summary of the Marian teachings of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, and Blessed John Paul II.
- Extremely informative information that is inspiring and enlightening.
- Easy-to-understand explanations of everything. Which is good for people like me who need Mary to actually throw the book at my face to hear her.
When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Copyright 2018 Christina Antus
About the Author
Christina Antus
Christina Antus lives with her husband and four busy kids in a very noisy house. When she's not writing, she's folding forever-piles of laundry, and probably burning dinner. She blogs about her not-so-serious life at Someday These Days.
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