Mary , Theotokos, was chosen to be the bearer of blessings to all nations; to proclaim the greatness of God's Name. In December of 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on a hill in Tepeyac, Mexico. She said, "I am your most merciful Mother... I want to show my loving clemency and compassion to those who call upon me in their sorrows." Roses blossomed in the middle of winter as a sign of God's love. And even today, a beautiful rose received is a sign that God hears our prayers and is with us in the midst of our winter sorrows. During our Advent Prayer Service, our Gospel Choir so sweetly sang a responsorial chant as we prayed to Our Lady for her intercession to our Lord Jesus for peace and justice in our troubled world.
P.S. You may be wondering what happened to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception? We celebrated Mary being conceived without sin, destined to be the Mother of Jesus, with an Advent day of prayer, rest and relaxation.
