Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?
And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father how often you have sent us the mother of your Son so we can know the depth of your love for us. Her greatness was in loving you first of all. Can we do no less. You chose a woman who loves you and we learn from her how to love you too. She shows us that love for you is foremost in her life, her "Yes," says it all doesn't it. I love our dear Mother too as you love her, but I will always love you first as it should be. You teach us more than love with Mary, you teach us that your word is truth and that nothing is impossible. How truly blessed we all are to have this woman to be our Mother too. She points the way to you and her Son, to love you with all our hearts. Amen

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:18-23 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father you gave to us a woman who would bear for us a Son of great magnitude. One who would change the world and bring us hope and love. She is a woman who all look upon with love and devotion for she is our Mother too. Through Mary we find maternal love and guidance in the way of her Son Jesus. Blessed is she who has come to us from you dear Father. Behold a woman full of grace as the Archangel Gabriel proclaimed. How woman in this world strive to imitate our Heavenly Lady who was chosen among woman to be for us a sign of God's love and mercy. A woman who intercedes daily on our behalf and keeps the strong arm of her Son from falling. May our heavenly Mother be for us a light that shines for us to follow in the path that leads to her Son and to you dear Father. May we come to know and cherish her love as much as your love. Thank you dear Father for giving us this treasure, a woman who guards our hearts and brings us love for you. Amen