I had a Jewish professor of medieval history when I was an undergraduate. He claimed to be agnostic, but I’m not so sure. He enjoyed pointing out the “hypocrisy” of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, though he did so without malice. Still, I admired the man for his attention to detail, his wit, and dedication: students’ essays were routinely returned with more red ink from his pen than the black ink of the typewriter. One day, he lectured on St. Bernard of Clairvaux and Marian piety. “Did you know that the Catholics of the middle ages believed that if they wore the scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, that the Blessed Mother would be waiting for them right at the Gate of Heaven, to bring them in, no matter how sinful they were, and she’d say ‘Never mind, this one belongs to me.” Catholics of the middle ages believed that? Catholics of the 21st century believe that too!

Gate of Heaven, pray for the Church and the nation.

On Mondays we pray the Joyful Mysteries.

PRAY YOUR DAILY ROSARY WITH US!

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