The first ever Marian apparition was Our Lady of the Pillar (see previous talk), but the first ever Marian devotion was Mary, Help of Christians. If you don't understand why there is devotion to Mary, you might want to learn what the earliest Christians did regarding her! Fr. Chris Alar gives a fascinating and easy-to-follow explanation about this and why we need it today more than ever because of persecution of Christianity.

Today's Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112625.cfm As we reach the final days of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to lift our eyes toward the ultimate realities: Christ’s return, the purification of the world, and God’s unshakeable plan for His people. Fr. Chris reminds us that the Scriptures, the Catechism, and the Church-approved Marian apparitions all speak with one voice: we are already living in the “last hour” (CCC 670), and yet God’s mercy remains our refuge and our hope.

Fr. Chris Alar explains the importance of the Ascension of Jesus, the difference from the Assumption of Mary, and what the Holy Days of Obligation are all about.