<p><strong>Show Notes </strong></p><p>The month of May is often referred to as the month of Mary as we celebrate Our Blessed Mother. Mary’s May crowning ceremonies are commonly found taking place throughout many Catholic churches. One of the ways we can grow closer to her is through the praying of the rosary. But there are other ways we can get to know Mary, especially under the many titles she has been given over the centuries.</p><p>In this week’s episode, Jennifer has a conversation with Catholic author Maria Gallagher who has written about her devotion to Mary, focusing on Mary under the title of “Comforter of the Afflicted”.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Our Guest</strong></p><p>Maria has worked in radio as a reporter and in television as a news producer. She is a writer, life coach, and a podcaster and loves inspiring crowds with her speaking. Her freelance news reports have aired on outlets including CBS Radio and AP Radio. She has also earned awards from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Cleveland Press Club. Maria loves communicating the beauty of truth!</p><p><strong>Connect with Our Guest</strong> </p><ul><li><p>Website: <a href="https://www.mariavgallagher.com/"><u>https://www.mariavgallagher.com/</u></a></p></li><li><p>IG: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mariavgallagher"><u>https://www.instagram.com/mariavgallagher</u></a></p></li><li><p>X:<a href="https://x.com/mariaevitale"><u> https://x.com/mariaevitale</u></a></p></li><li><p>FB: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maria.v.gallagher"><u>https://www.facebook.com/maria.v.gallagher</u></a></p></li><li><p>Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]"><u>[email protected]</u></a></p></li><li><p>Blog: <a href="https://www.mariavgallagher.com/blog"><u>https://www.mariavgallagher.com/blog</u></a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Maria’s books</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://shopmercy.org/mercy-39-s-power-inspiration-to-serve-the-gospel-of-life.html"><em>Mercy&#39;s Power: Inspiration to Serve the Gospel of Life</em></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://shopmercy.org/joyful-encounters-with-mary-a-woman-s-guide-to-living-the-mysteries-of-the-rosary.html"><em>Joyful Encounters with Mary: A Woman&#39;s Guide to Living the Mysteries of the Rosary</em></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://shopmercy.org/glorious-encounters-with-mary-a-guide-to-living-the-mysteries-of-the-rosary.html"><em>Glorious Encounters with Mary: A Guide to Living the Mysteries of the Rosary</em></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://shopmercy.org/healing-encounters-with-mary-a-guide-to-living-the-mysteries-of-the-rosary.html"><em>Healing Encounters with Mary: A Guide to Living the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary</em></a></p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Scripture</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23"><u>Psalm 23</u></a></p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Devotions</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://americaneedsfatima.org/prayers/act-of-consecration-to-the-immaculate-heart-of-mary"><u>Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://p.praymorenovenas.com/blog/novenas-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary"><u>Novenas to Mary</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.vatican.va/special/rosary/documents/litanie-lauretane_en.html"><u>Litany of Loreto</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/our-lady-of-fatima-423"><u>Our Lady of Fatima</u></a></p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Links</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="http://catholicmom.com"><u>Catholicmom.com</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/maria-v-gallagher"><u>Maria’s articles on </u></a><a href="http://catholicmom.com"><u>Catholicmom.com</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMMZAQB2QTc"><u>Why Inner Peace Often Comes After Inner Struggle — Fulton J. Sheen | FULTON SHEEN REFLECTIONS</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.kibeho-cana.org/a-brief-history-of-the-apparitions-of-our-lady-of-kibeho/"><u>Our Lady of Kibeho</u></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-lourdes/"><u>Our Lady of Lourdes</u></a></p></li></ul><p><em><strong>Prayer for Maria’s daughter, Gabriella during her time of discernment and for the repose of the souls of Maria’s parents.</strong></em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Journaling Questions</strong></p><ol><li><p>What resonated with you most or surprised you about this episode about Mary? What inspired you most after listening to Maria sharing about her relationship with Mary?</p></li><li><p>What kind, if any, of a relationship do you have with the Blessed Mother? Do you struggle with having any sort of relationship with her? Take some time to ponder this in your heart and perhaps journal about it </p></li><li><p>Maria spoke candidly about how her devotion to Mary grew through the different mysteries of the rosary. Have you felt more drawn to any of the mysteries more than others? Which one speaks to you most?</p></li><li><p>Where are some places in your life you feel like you could allow Mary to mother you?</p></li><li><p>Have you ever done a consecration before? Why or why not? Do you feel inspired to do one?</p></li><li><p>How do you feel when you hear the phrase, “To Jesus, through Mary” in terms of our prayers and petitions? Take some time to ponder that.</p></li><li><p>What is your mourning glory?</p></li></ol><p>We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes, including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at <a href="http://www.mourningglorypodcast.com"><u>www.mourningglorypodcast.com.</u></a> </p><p>God Bless!</p>