Mary, Mother of God

Today’s liturgy is the celebration

of the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. This is my favorite feast of the whole Advent-Christmas season. Throughout the Advent season I sing our opening hymn for Morning and Evening Prayer looking at a copy of Michelangelo’s, the Madonna of Bruges. My focus is always drawn to Jesus’ hands and Mary’s face. Mary is no longer a young maid of Nazareth. She knows she is the Mother of God and that Jesus is her child. Their hands are joined—his right in her left; his left tight against her thigh. Both faces anticipate the Pieta.

                                                   Sr. Mary Catherine Wenstrup, OSB