Return to The Reign of Mary No. 190
The Reign of Mary No. 190
Vol. XLIX, No. 190: Letter from the Editor
November 30, 2023
St. Andrew
Dear friends in Our Lady,
Praised be Jesus and Mary. We are quickly approaching the end of another year, but first we will celebrate that loveliest of feasts, the Nativity of our Redeemer. In order that we might celebrate it worthily, we must first spend the season of Advent in quiet prayer and recollection, avoiding the spirit of the world, which is one of commercialism, materialism, premature celebration, and distraction. Let us not allow the spirit of the world to invade our homes and hearts, for Jesus tells us, “My kingdom is not of this world”!
Fittingly, during the season of Advent we celebrate several feasts of Our Blessed Mother. Indeed, we could say that this season is a Marian time of year, for it was only through the Virgin Mary that Jesus came into the world. Who could better help us to prepare for, and properly celebrate, His birth than His own Mother, who was entirely pleasing to God, without the stain of any sin?
The first feast of Our Lady in December is that of the Immaculate Conception, reminding us that God specially prepared her through whom His own Son would enter the world. Two days later is the feast of the transferal of the Holy House of the Mother of God to Loreto (Italy). That sacred house was the scene of the Incarnation of the Son of God, and later witnessed His early life. Again, two days later we have the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We recall her touching words to Juan Diego, “My little son, Do not be distressed and afraid. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?” These consoling words are meant for all of us. Let us never forget the tender love of Mary for all her children.
There is one more, although less known, feast of Our Lady in December, and that is the feast of the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated one week before Christmas on December 18. It recalls to us the ardent longing in the heart of Mary for the birth of her Divine Son. She is our model as we prepare to celebrate His birth at Christmas or to receive Him in Holy Communion, as well as our longing for the eventual union with Him in heaven.
Yet for now, we must persevere in living our holy Faith in this land of exile. We continue to read the news of sad and even scandalous events resulting from the new religion of Vatican II, some of which are narrated in our final section of the magazine called World Watch. For those who love God and love their Catholic Faith, it grieves us to know how “Catholicism” is portrayed to the world by these apostates. In spite of it all, there are still souls who come to the knowledge of the truth because they seek it and pray to find it. Both for them and for us, Mary remains our life, our sweetness and our hope, as we strive to persevere in these times.
In the service of Jesus and Mary
Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
(Email Father)