She leads us to Jesus and intercedes for us with Him.

By virtue of her Immaculate Conception is the most perfect and exalted member of humanity and because of that, she leads us to Jesus. What else can she do? That is how her Redemptrix and Mediatrix attributes (for lack of a better term) are worked out.

There’s God the Father, then, Jesus as the sole Mediator and Redeemer; and then, at the pinnacle of the human pile, Mary. She is not in any external position between humanity and Jesus.

I only need the reading glasses under certain conditions (more so prior to my devotion) and while I’ll eventually need cataract surgery in my other eye, that one’s health hasn’t deteriorated much and it may be many years before surgery is needed.

I had cataract surgery nearly 3 years ago and need prescription reading glasses and frequent application of lubricating eyedrops; once I began a devotion to both saintly ladies my eye health has improved tremendously.

We say this Creed often (usually at Mass) and with anything said repeatedly, we might lose the meaning or impact of the words.

Pope Leo XIV recently traveled during November 27-30th to Iznik, Turkey (modern day Nicea) to honor this anniversary. The thought occurred to me to try come up with some thoughtful meditations for Sober Catholics.

I think that the usual conditions apply: that it be in accordance with God’s will, that it not be detrimental to your salvation, and if it requires some effort on your part, that you do that (i.e. job hunting, finding a spouse, etc) It's thought to have originated in Ireland in the late 19th Century

This was courtesy of John Gruber's daringfireball.net

The proposal draws on the French politician and Catholic’s historic declaration of May 9, 1950, which stated: “Europe will be made through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.” That declaration laid the foundation for what would, many years later, become the #EU

The Clementy Schuman Legacy Foundation presented what it calls “Schuman Plan 2.0” — a blueprint for peace through economic cooperation and shared resources — at a Nov. 11 debate hosted by the European People’s Party Group, the largest political group in the European Parliament.

It may also help sobering up (and sober) Catholics clarify and better accept their relationship with Mary, especially those who had difficulty with their Earthly mothers.