Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I have tremendous respect and pastoral concern for those who have stepped forward to defend our country. Some carry the wounds of war for the rest of their lives, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They deserve our prayers, respect, and service.

Observing Memorial Day is a way of recognizing the ultimate sacrifice men and women have offered in protecting and defending our freedom. What we remember and honor on Memorial Day is heroic sacrifice, much like we honor martyrs in the Church. We acknowledge those who nobly gave of themselves, unto death, for a purpose that was greater than themselves.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are in the month of May, a month when Catholics traditionally pray for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Of all the talk about what popes have had in common and what separates them, it seems that devotion to Our Lady is an essential aspect of the spirituality of many popes throughout history.

Popes have promoted Marian devotion through various means, including writing encyclicals, Apostolic Letters, proclaiming dogmas, and visiting Marian shrines throughout the world. Mary is a comfort and a guide to Her Son Jesus Christ. Let’s look at the most recent popes and their Marian devotion.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral—a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body… The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation… What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this; to be a mother?” - József Cardinal Mindszenty

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the Catholic Church, the month of May is dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. The May crowning is an act of popular devotion in honor of our Blessed Mother that is repeated every year as an expression of our love for Our Lady, and it is usually done during the month of May. Perhaps you or someone you know has some confusion about Mary and the role she has in our life.

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