Waiting With Mary: Reflections for Advent

Maria V. Gallagher discovers a wonderful way to spend Advent with the new book by CatholicMom contributing writer Marge Steinhage Fenelon.

Waiting with Mary: Reflections for Advent 

By Marge Steinhage Fenelon

Published by Our Sunday Visitor

The new book Waiting with Mary starts with an astonishing admission: the author does not like to wait.

Writer Marge Steinhage Fenelon concedes that the waiting game is not her favorite game to play. But she sees the value of patient, prayerful waiting in anticipation of the arrival of the Christ Child. And, if we have to wait anyway, who better to wait with than the Blessed Mother?

I found Waiting with Mary to be an ideal companion for the Advent season. In the past, I have discovered that I have wasted my Advent, spending far too much time rushing around buying gifts, signing Christmas cards, and attending Christmas concerts. Not that there is anything wrong with any of these activities when practiced in moderation. But I can become so obsessed with the frenzied nature of Christmas that I forget to focus on preparing my heart for Jesus’ blessed arrival.

Breathtakingly Beautiful

Waiting with Mary has much to recommend it. The cover is breathtakingly beautiful, showing a pregnant Mary surrounded by flowers. It is a lovely book to put on display in your home. The format of the book is quite user-friendly: each chapter includes interesting insights into different aspects of waiting, questions for reflection, a resolution, and a prayer. The chapters are brief but powerful.

Marge has a wonderful way of expressing herself, and that shines through once again in this book. She is a gifted wordsmith who shares with the reader gems of wisdom on every page. Her reflections are insightful, yet relatable, making the book an absolute pleasure to read and ponder.

Getting the Crib of Our Hearts Ready

In her Introduction on page 9, Marge lays out the fundamental principles guiding Waiting with Mary:

This Advent, we can join Mary in her waiting. It will not take long—just a few minutes each day. Let us work through these reflections, permitting our minds and hearts to slow down, breathe deeply, and absorb the promise of mystery. Gradually we will become attuned to this most important time of waiting and growing, wonder and expectation. Before we know it, the crib of our hearts will be ready for our Lord Jesus.

The Marvelous Magnificat

I especially appreciated Marge’s analysis of what I consider to be the ultimate prayer, the Magnificat, which is found on pages 112 and 113:

The Magnificat is our prayer as well. We are called to proclaim God’s power, kindness, and justice, and to live that in our daily lives and especially this Advent. We can exult in the Lord who is our strength, and if we allow him to, he will do great things in and through us. He wants to raise us up to a place of honor next to him in the kingdom of heaven. Like Mary, we can and must proclaim our own Magnificat—our own song of praise and thanksgiving for how God made us and all he has accomplished for and through us.

An Innovative Approach to Prayer

Listening to a previous episode of the Catholic Mom Prayercast, we can learn more about Marge’s approach to prayer. 

I believe writer Marge Steinhage Fenelon is a “Mary whisperer,” interpreting Mary’s words and actions in a way that we can all understand. In Waiting with Mary, she has crafted a resource that can help prepare our souls for the coming of our Savior.

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2026 Maria V. Gallagher
Images: (top) detail from cover