"FIAT: Mary, Our Model of Faith"

Happy Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God!  

If you missed Deacon Sabatino's talk this past Sunday at the annual pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch (or if you just want to listen to it again, like we did!), today is a great day to watch this video we filmed!  Deacon Sabatino spoke on the theme for the pilgrimage, "FIAT: Mary, Our Model of Faith."  What is faith?  What does it mean to live by faith and not by sight?  What is knowledge?  Why are we so afraid to give our lives totally to God?  How do we become fully alive and truly happy?  This is a perfect talk to listen to on this feast of the Mother of God, during the Year of Faith!  Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo is the founder and director of the Institute of Catholic Culture.

Last night we enjoyed the beautiful vigil for the Feast of the Dormition, including the burial procession with the shroud of the Mother of God while chanting the Song of Songs!  Our beautiful flowers at the tomb were also blessed today at the Divine Liturgy, as is tradition.

"O Most Pure One, even in death your countenance appears as a paradise and breathes forth grace and life.  Now, O Mother, accept from us, Your children, our love and this funeral hymn which we offer up from the depths of our souls!" --First Station, Vigil Service