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
