Favorite Icon of the Blessed Mother for 2009

Our Lady of Sitka

This icon is special to me because of the image of our Heavenly Father above Our Lady and Our Savior. I love images of Him! I have such love for Him in my heart and to actually be able to see an image of Him gives me so much joy.

I discovered this image of Our Lady of Sitka, when I went to the Franciscan Monastery in Washington D.C. last summer. After going to confession, I went to the bookstore and found this image on a holy card. On the front it says Our Lady of Sitka, Miraculous Icon of America. On the back it says... Zealous Defender of the Faithful in America. It also states "The Miraculous icon of America is prayed to for healing of respiratory diseases and in order to find a job" The prayer on the back is so beautiful....

Let us hasten,

O people, to the Virgin Mother of God and Queen.

Giving thanks unto Christ our God

And gazing at Her wonderworking icon

let us humbly fall down and sing to Her:

O Lady Mary, Thou has visited our land

through Thine honorable image,

In peace and good season saving all Christians,

Showing them to be heirs of heavenly life in God.

Therefore, with faith we sing to Thee,

Our Lady of Sitka:

Rejoice, O Virgin, the Salvation of the World.

I keep this image on my desk and venerate it often. FIAT. I ask that my true vocation be always revealed in my heart and the grace to live it in my consecration to the hearts of Jesus and Mama Mary.

Happy New Year!

This new year is very exciting for me...In converting to Roman Catholicism, I love the examination of conscience, going to confession and the healing of praying the Act of Contrition. Which has inspired me to examine many areas of my life. Looking back over this past year, I have grown tremendously in thoughts and in deeds! I've learned to except people where they are and to let go and let God. I am spending my New Years Eve in my room journaling and goal setting. This past year has truly laid the groundwork for the new year ahead of me. Living in a constant state of grace has gained me so much peace and strength to overcome, but as I was reflecting earlier today I had a little dash of fear come over me as I was thinking ahead and instantly I was so thankful for my bible baptist and pentecostal background, for I truly have God's word stamped on my heart. As I had fear, a verse from Psalms 119 came into my heart and that was: "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee." In this age of confusion, God's word brings me everything I need for survival in living out the sacramental life. Its my herbal tea for my heart and the honey to soul as I surf the waves of life. The waves at times, seem to be many, but the beauty is the God that created this world and all therein, is in control. No matter what humanist try to infiltrate in our daily lives. Our Lady of Sitka, pray for us!

I used to read the King James version and Now I only read the Douay-Rheims, not for theological reasons, for the very reason that I love the "King James/Old English" language. As a matter of fact the passage that I quoted is Psalms 118 in the DR version. Verses 9 - 16 are so beautiful that I must share:

9. But what doth a young man correct his way? By observing thy words.

10.With my whole heart have I sought after Thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.

11. Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.

12. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

13. With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth.

14. I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches.

15. I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways.

16. I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.

This has been my favorite video of Mama Mary that I found on You Tube. So in honor of her I wanted to post it here. I'm having difficulty in downloading it on this blog here is the link.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTCbJ4Mvc0U

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!