Return to The Reign of Mary No. 178
The Reign of Mary
No. 178: Letter from the Editor
November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
Dear Friends in Our Lady,
Praised be Jesus and Mary. As we approach the end of the current year, we can all agree that it has certainly been a year like no other. Who could ever have guessed, as 2020 began, that we would experience so many trials? The coronavirus continues to upend our lives, yet we religious have been able to maintain our apostolate, such as the all-important work of the education of our youth.
Also, in October our annual Fatima Conference was held as scheduled. There were not as many attendees as in past years, yet all who participated agreed that it was a most grace-filled five days. We had to improvise this year with most events held at Mary Immaculate Queen Church in Idaho, while the guests resided at Mount Saint Michael in Spokane. Fortunately, the two churches are only separated by 25 miles, so the arrangement worked. There was even live-streaming of many events, allowing friends from around the country and beyond to tune in.
Now we turn our attention to the approaching celebration of the Nativity of Christ. No matter how severe our trials may be, we can always draw strength from the recollection of the birth of the Son of God, who came into this world to redeem us. How much God loves us! If He allows us to experience heavy crosses, He only does so for our greater good. As Saint Paul tells us: “For those who love God, all things work together unto good” (Romans 8:28). In that same epistle he speaks of our union with Jesus: “I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor thing to come, nor power, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
This love of God ought to grow stronger in our hearts day by day. It is not a love found in the emotions, but rather a love proved by our fidelity in obeying God’s commandments. For how could we offend the One who has loved us so much?
During Advent this year, as you prepare through prayer, meditation and sacrifice for a worthy celebration of Christmas, especially meditate on the profound and gratuitous love of God for us. As we gaze at the image of the Infant lying in our manger scenes at Christmas, let us say to ourselves: He was born into this world for me; He came to die for me. Then let us spend the remainder of our lives in lovingly serving Him, who has loved us so much.
In Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI (Email)