December 18
OUR LADY OF HOPE
Today, in many places in Spain, Our Lady of Hope is celebrated, entrusting to her all expecting pregnant mothers who are waiting for the time of delivery.
Furthermore, in the city of Seville, the traditional “besamanos” (kissing of the hands) of Our Lady is used to be carried out -except this year due to the pandemic-, such that the iconic images of the city are brought down to the center aisle of the church where faithful devotees line up and wait for their turn in order to kiss the hands of the image of Our Heavenly Mother (see video below)
Dear brethren in Christ, aside from praying for all expectant mothers, their babies and fathers, let us also entrust to Our Lady the concerns of all people who are suffering during this pandemic, convinced of her powerful and loving maternal intercession before Our Lord Jesus Christ. Lt us also pray that people in despair would recover their hope; and, people who presume that they have no “need” of God would undergo a profound conversion during these days of Advent and Christmas.
Lastly, let us also ask Our Lady’s intercession so that we would intensify in our interior preparation these days of Advent through generous prayer, sacramental Confession, and good works, especially those of mercy, so as to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus with a clean heart and soul.
Mary, Mother of Hope, intercede and pray for us! Stay safe and God bless! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo, priest of Opus Dei.