Explore the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the significance of sacred art in our spiritual journeys. Join Angela Sealana and Deborah Garza as they discuss the practice of Visio Divina, a unique way to deepen your relationship with God through visual prayer. Don't miss this opportunity to reflect on how Mary's "yes" to God can inspire you in your daily life.
In this episode, you will:
- Discover Visio Divina, a way to pray with Scripture & sacred art
- Be encouraged by the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role in God’s plan
- Combine these lessons in a guided meditation on sacred art
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Guest Information
Debra (Debbie) Garza is a wife, mother, and parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Leon Springs. She has traveled with Pilgrim Center of Hope on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Italy, Greece, and Turkey as a pilgrim, and now participates in the Ministry of Pilgrimage as a group leader for the holy sites in Italy.
Debbie completed the ACTS Spiritual Companion Program at the Oblate School of Theology and is active in the Ministry of Care for homebound parishioners, Small Christian Communities, ACTS Retreats, and Jail Ministry. She is an Oblate of St. Benedict with the St. Scholastica Monastery in Boerne, Texas.
Where to Tune In
Live – Wed., March 25 @ 8:00 PM
Guadalupe Radio Network (South/Central Texas Stations)
… Listen to the archived audio recording on our website, ASAP!
Visit PilgrimCenterofHope.org for more information.
Jewel for the Journey
“Be it done unto me according to your word.” - Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:38)
Get More Out of Your Journey
Luke 1:26-38 - Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Mentioned during the program: Mosaic “Mater Ecclesiae” in St. Peter’s Square
“Sacred art is true and beautiful when its form corresponds to its particular vocation: evoking and glorifying, in faith and adoration, the transcendent mystery of God—the surpassing invisible beauty of truth and love visible in Christ. This spiritual beauty of God is reflected in the most holy Virgin Mother of God, the angels, and saints. Genuine sacred art draws man to adoration, to prayer, and to the love of God, Creator and Savior, the Holy One and Sanctifier.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2502)
“From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God.” - Pope St. John Paul II
Sacred art of the Annunciation: Suggested by our guest, Debra Garza, to use during guided Visio Divina meditation
Five Movements of Visio Divina
- Sacred seeing – taking in the details of the image (attentively with expectation of seeing something new)
- Reflecting (allow feelings, memories, thoughts to arise and asking how do these feelings connect to your life?)
- Praying (what is your prayer response? Put your desire into words)
- Contemplating (quietly REST in God, listen with the ear of your heart)
- Witnessing (How are you drawn to respond?)
Suggested Book - Meditations on Vatican Art
Deepen your relationship with God as you reflect on art from the Vatican collections and pray the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Fr. Mark Haydu, International Coordinator of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, serves as the spiritual guide for this exquisite collection of art, contemplation, and prayer.
Lectio Divina: Praying with the Bible, God’s Word
Explore the spiritual practice of Lectio Divina with Angela Sealana and Fr. Rafael Becerra González. Learn how to engage with scripture in a deeply personal way that invites God's voice into your daily life.
