The Pope of the Family

St. John Paul II is called the Pope of the Family.  Truly his writings on the family have been a very important source for my own prayer life, but also a resource for talks I have had to give about the family.  Part of his vast writings on the family are also his works centering on women and motherhood, perhaps also brought about by his deep Marian devotion.  I like more especially his apostolic letter Mulieris dignitatem (shout out to all Mothers!):

apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem

“Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life, as it develops in the mother’s womb. The mother is filled with wonder at this mystery of life, and ‘understands’ with unique intuition what is happening inside her. In the light of the ‘beginning’, the mother accepts and loves as a person the child she is carrying in her womb. This unique contact with the new human being developing within her gives rise to an attitude towards human beings – not only towards her own child, but every human being – which profoundly marks the woman’s personality.” - See more at: http://www.briannaheldt.com/#sthash.aksmTSNN.dpuf

“Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life, as it develops in the mother’s womb. The mother is filled with wonder at this mystery of life, and ‘understands’ with unique intuition what is happening inside her. In the light of the ‘beginning’, the mother accepts and loves as a person the child she is carrying in her womb. This unique contact with the new human being developing within her gives rise to an attitude towards human beings – not only towards her own child, but every human being – which profoundly marks the woman’s personality.” - See more at: http://www.briannaheldt.com/#sthash.aksmTSNN.dpu

“Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life, as it develops in the mother’s womb. The mother is filled with wonder at this mystery of life, and ‘understands’ with unique intuition what is happening inside her. In the light of the ‘beginning’, the mother accepts and loves as a person the child she is carrying in her womb. This unique contact with the new human being developing within her gives rise to an attitude towards human beings – not only towards her own child, but every human being – which profoundly marks the woman’s personality.”

On another note, this black-and-white photo of Our Lady and the Child Jesus served as the model for the Mary Mater Ecclesiae mosaic overlooking St. Peter's Square.  Read the inside story, and how it relates to Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, who will be beatified on September 27, 2014 in Madrid.

“Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life, as it develops in the mother’s womb. The mother is filled with wonder at this mystery of life, and ‘understands’ with unique intuition what is happening inside her. In the light of the ‘beginning’, the mother accepts and loves as a person the child she is carrying in her womb. This unique contact with the new human being developing within her gives rise to an attitude towards human beings – not only towards her own child, but every human being – which profoundly marks the woman’s personality.” - See more at: http://www.briannaheldt.com/#sthash.aksmTSNN.dpuf

“Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life, as it develops in the mother’s womb. The mother is filled with wonder at this mystery of life, and ‘understands’ with unique intuition what is happening inside her. In the light of the ‘beginning’, the mother accepts and loves as a person the child she is carrying in her womb. This unique contact with the new human being developing within her gives rise to an attitude towards human beings – not only towards her own child, but every human being – which profoundly marks the woman’s personality.” - See more at: http://www.briannaheldt.com/#sthash.aksmTSNN.dpuf

“Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life, as it develops in the mother’s womb. The mother is filled with wonder at this mystery of life, and ‘understands’ with unique intuition what is happening inside her. In the light of the ‘beginning’, the mother accepts and loves as a person the child she is carrying in her womb. This unique contact with the new human being developing within her gives rise to an attitude towards human beings – not only towards her own child, but every human being – which profoundly marks the woman’s personality.” - See more at: http://www.briannaheldt.com/#sthash.aksmTSNN.dpuf