Our Lady of the Angels

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." ~Isaiah 52:7

As Colleen and her family pack up and head out on their way to begin their mission work in Costa Rica, she is generously offering to carry our intentions with them and place them before the shrine of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago, Costa Rica. Go leave her a note in the combox with yours. I can't offer anything so great in return except a promise that I will look at this beautiful statue of La Negrita, Virgin de los Angeles, every day and offer a Memorare for them and their work. This replica was a gift from Colleen's family in August of 2009, just a month before I made the hardest trip I've ever made to meet them in person and witness their tremendous faith in action during their most painful loss. 

The original statue, though tiny and seemingly insignificant, no bigger than the one you see here, had a mighty job to do and she was determined to see it done. Every time she was taken in and offered shelter and comfort in a home or parish church, she miraculously returned to the street, the footpath where she was originally found lying in the dirt amongst the poor. This likeness sits right above my kitchen sink and she will be my constant reminder to pray for the work of this courageous family who has chosen to give up the comfortable and familiar to embrace the poor and bring to them friendship in Christ and an example of His divine love. 

God's speed, sweet friends, and may the angels and their little Queen protect you on your journey!

Sad Update: Colleen's little one has gone home to the Father. Please pray for them. I wish Colleen's words could be read by every mother who has ever lost a child...

But I hold in my heart the greatest of all consolations, the hope of heaven.  For I realize, that even when my body is well past the age of bearing babies, even if I should live until I am 100, always, I will be an expectant mother, until the day I hold my babies for eternity.