Mary’s contemplative gaze recalls Luke’s description of her pondering things in her heart. In this season of Lent, we, too, are called to contemplation — reflecting upon Christ’s journey to the cross, our own call to purification, and the path of faith illuminated before us. How can we be more like Mary, holding these revealed mysteries close to our hearts while awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promise, even through the difficult moments of our lives?

_{^{Image Credit: Frederick Goodall, (British, 1822-1904), Mater Purissima, 1868, Oil on canvas, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame. Gift of Mrs. Kevin Bratton, 1979.034.}}