Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

      This month is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God and happily we began it with our Crowning of the images of our Lady in  our parish churches.  During these days the faithful, in their churches and homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration by the family rosary, shrines within the home, and even welcoming the pilgrim statue of our Lady for a period of time as a means of drawing ever closer to Her and She to us.

      The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has begun the new creation, restoring the relationship that our first parents had with God before the Fall.  Christ is the new Adam  and His Mother becomes the new Eve, the Mother of all those living now in the Lord.  How privileged we are to have a Redeemer Who mindful of our need for motherly affection gave Mary to us all in the personage of the young Apostle St. John.  It is no wonder that he is referred to as the “beloved disciple”  since he received the august honor of caring for Mary throughout the course of Her earthly life.  Now, of course, Mary our Mother cares for us even if we are not aware of Her abiding presence and love.  Surely, we can always go directly to God with our problems and needs but going to God through Mary gives that human touch which comforts our troubled hearts.  What child does not go running first to Mama with a scraped knee or bruised spirit.  She always understands, no more than God Himself, but now with that added balm of a mother’s tenderness.

      Take time during this special month to draw closer to Mother Mary and enjoy the graces She brings you from Her Risen Son.

With Blessings,

Father Langan