Nestled in the hills southwest of Jerusalem is the beautiful Church of the Visitation, built on the traditional site of the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Over the altar is a luminous painting of Mary. In contrast to other paintings of the Visitation, we don’t see her greeting Elizabeth. Rather, we who look on sit […]
“‘BEHOLD, YOUR MOTHER’: COMFORT FROM THE CROSS
Today the liturgy drops us from the heights of yesterday’s victory feast—the Exaltation of the Holy Cross—to the foot of that Cross where we mourn with Our Lady of Sorrows. It is a long step down. Mary, if you think about it, did not have on that terrible day, the advantage of hindsight that allows […]
MOTHERHOOD: A MYSTERY TO CELEBRATE
My favorite spot in the Holy Land is the Church of the Visitation at Ein Kerem, up in the hills North of Jerusalem. Here is where Mary ran when she learned she would bear the Son of God. There’s a lovely, simple statue in the courtyard of her greeting Elizabeth. The two of them stand […]
MARY, STAR OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
Reflection on Evangelii Gaudium, nos. 284-288
Two months ago, I stood at the foot of the Cross – literally, at the spot where Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem. Golgotha lies within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and it is crowned by an altar and chapels dedicated to the final Stations of the Cross. You can reach below the altar and […]
