On the Feast of St. Mark, April 25, 1467, at the close of a festival in Genazzano, Italy, a cloud descended upon an ancient 5th-century deteriorated church, dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel. When the cloud disappeared, the festive crowd found a small, fragile image of the Blessed Virgin and Child on a thin sheet of plaster. The painting is said to have hung in mid-air, suspended without support, floating, on a small ledge. This particular fresco is said to date to the time of the Apostles. It had long been venerated in Albania’s capital city, Scutari.
Much of the church of Our Lady of Good Counsel was destroyed in World War II, but the image remained intact and in place. The miraculous image is still there today after more than 500 years. Countless miracles have been attributed to the prayerful intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Many pilgrims visit the church in Genazzano, and take part in the annual spring celebration, observed on April 25. Elsewhere in the world, the feast is celebrated April 26.
What are your memories of your children or grandchildren at mass? The Easter Vigil this year was enlivened by a tiny little boy running quietly but in record speed around the peripheries of the aisles- around and around he went as we all admired his stamina! For me, I have memories of Aaron crawling under the pews, so far ahead I did not know when or where he would come up at Saint John Brebeuf. Or there was the time at a cathedral in Montreal during mass where he kept saying “Jesus stuck” as he kept pointing his wee two year old fingers at a monstrous cross behind the alter. “Jesus will become unstuck at Easter” I said, wondering if anyone understood my English.
Enjoy this video about the topic:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=om-qeqwcF8g. It is entitled Post Church Press Conference.😝
Through the rain, there and back, we went to the Saint Boniface Diocesan Convention with the wonderful hosts from Mother Mary of the Church this past Saturday. There were 55 attendees, as 10 that could not attend, 6 or more due to the covid virus. There was lots of thunder during 5:00 p.m. mass. The speakers on university evangelization and Ukraine history were inspiring. Sylvia Mroz, President Marielle Bosak, and myself attended. We got an award for 55 Years ( 1967-2022) and so proud to sit by one of our original members- Sylvia. We also got recognized for our work with Social Justice. We will be hosting this event next year.
This picture predates our CWL, and it was called the Saint Mary Alter Society. Can you identify some of these ladies? At our next meeting an award will be given to the one who can identify the most people. Circa 1960’s……..
This past December, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed Chrystia Freeland, the Finance Minister, to “introduce amendments to the Income Tax Act to make anti-abortion organizations that provide dishonest counselling to pregnant women about their rights and options ineligible for charitable status.”
Clearly this is of concern to pregnancy crisis centres, pro-life organizations, and to those who support life in general.
Canada already aborts nearly 100,000 babies a year and gives hundreds of millions of dollars a year to women's “reproductive health,” both domestically & internationally. Even so, this should not preclude the government from allowing organizations that support women, who choose to keep their babies, from being eligible for charitable donation status. Choosing life should also be supported by the government.
Please contact the Prime Minister and your MP and ask that pregnancy crisis centres and pro-life organizations remain eligible for charitable status.
Come and join us prior to mass for the month of May to say the rosary.
The more we see [and know our failures], the more by grace we shall long to be filled full of endless joy, for we are created for that.
—Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love, chapter 8
—Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love, chapter 8