O Night Divine

Novena to the Immaculate Conception Update

This previous post had Day 1 of the novena. Due to some technical glitches the file can't be uploaded on this blog. The entire novena can be downloaded here.

I apologize for the inconvenience!

On the Eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary is a blessing to our family as a Holy Day of Obligation and we are looking forward to the vigil Mass offered tonight at one of our area parishes!  Before going, we are reading a  favorite picture book about the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Donkey's Dream, by Helen Berger.  It's breathtaking to say the least with all it's incredible imagery and the illustrations are vividly rich and eye catching! 

As a way to celebrate this beautiful Feast of Our Lady here are some pages my dear children created last year after reading this delightful book!

(Matthias's picture narration)

(Violet's Picture and Narration following)

The Donkey's Dream:  This story is about a donkey who had as dream.  First he dreams that he is carrying a city, next he dreams he is carrying a ship.  Then a fountain.  Then a rose with heavenly angels singing all around it.  And last of all, he dreams he is carrying a lady that is full of heaven.  Only now he isn't dreaming.  The man that led the donkey carrying the lady went into a village.  The man knocked on a door, but no one answered.  They kept walking.  Then they came to a cave that was used for a stable.  Then man helped the lady off the donkey, and took the saddle off the donkey.  Then he led the lady inside the cave.  After a while the man came and told the donkey to come into the cave.  When he came in, the lady (who was Mary) showed him the baby that she was holding.  And she said, "See what you and I have carried."  And then the donkey who had been very tired before was no longer tired because the baby was Jesus.

(Seamus's picture at age 4!!)

I hope you are able to enjoy this lovely picture book sometime during your Advent celebrations, it has greatly enriched our story time and is a book my dear children ask for again and again, even if just to look at the awesome symbolic pictures. 

For more symbolism and information about the Immaculate Conception of Mary, please visit Catholic Culture, you're sure to find something special!!

Tomorrow for a craft activity we will be creating a beautiful figure of Our Lady as the Immaculate Conception to place on the top of our Celebration Saints Tree!!

May God through the Blessed Virgin Mary keep your family safe and bless you in this beautiful time of waiting and preparation for the Birth of Christ!!