This series for Lent and Easter focuses on the world of devotions in the life of contemporary believers. America asked a number of writers, many of them younger Catholics, to speak about a favorite devotionits history, its place in the writer’s life and its possible role in the life of contemporary believers. In this fifth part of the series we look at two: lectio divina and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
This article also appeared in print, under the headline "Contemporary Catholics on Traditional Devotions," in the March 31, 2003 issue.
The martyrdom of Blessed Stanley Francis Rother "fills us with sadness but also gives us joy to see the kindness, generosity and courage of a great man of faith," Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, said Sept. 23 in Oklahoma City.
I was especially moved by Eric Stoltz’s “Our Lady of Guadalupe” (3/31). Recently it seems I am living in an alien world, where the evils of war, poverty, homelessness, injustice, discrimination and oppression by those in power can appear overwhelming. When I try to address (and redress) these issues, albeit on a very small scale, it sometimes feels hopeless. And it takes courage to be countercultural.
Our Lady’s message is a source of comfort and empowerment. Many thanks to Eric Stoltz for this beautiful reminder of her sustaining love and protection.