As the Advent season begins, we wait with joyful anticipation of Jesus’ birth. We commemorate Jesus’ first coming in time, his renewed coming into our hearts and wait for his second coming at the end of time.
Who is better to help us enter into this season, but Mary, the Mother of God? In the Litany of Loretto, one of Mary’s names is Cause of our Joy.
With this four-part series of reflections presented by Catherine Macora, a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, on Mary’s Advent Joy, we’re invited to hold hands with our heavenly mother and draw closer to her spirit and her virtues, especially Mary’s joy in all circumstances. These reflections focus on the Blessed Mother’s capacity to wait, hope, pray and receive Jesus with joy. May Mary, Cause of our Joy, prepare our hearts for the true joy of Christmas.
We invite you to join us this Advent as we walk with Mary and explore her joy in all circumstances.
Follow this special advent series daily on the Regnum Christi App, or sign up to receive a daily email throughout Advent with a reflection on Sundays and quotes and questions to help your prayer the rest of the week.
Catherine Macora grew up mainly in Austin, Texas, though she also lived in Europe and other US states due to her father’s military career. This was a providential beginning to her later missionary lifestyle. She is one of five siblings and her oldest brother is a Franciscan priest who has served in Jerusalem.
A graduate of the University of Texas, Catherine worked in public relations and marketing in Houston and London for 10 years before deciding to consecrate her life to Christ in Regnum Christi on September 5, 1996. During her more than 25 years of consecrated life, she has worked in Regnum Christi schools in Spain and the USA, as well as in youth formation and mission programs in Chicago from 2007-2009. She has given spiritual guidance and formation to all ages but predominantly young adults and married women.
Catherine spent many years caring for her elderly and infirm parents, Stan and Esther, before they were called to their eternal rest. Catherine recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Christian Wisdom at Holy Apostles College & Seminary. Currently she teaches a Sacred Scripture course at the School of Pastoral Leadership and Evangelization at the Mundelein Seminary in Chicago.
