Dear Friends:

Christmas greetings from Mundelein Seminary!

Recently at the seminary we created a special Marian Garden around a statue of Mary with the Child Jesus.  This garden has been lovingly dedicated to the memory of a young mother who tragically died in an accident when her two little ones were very young.  The garden draws people to the statue of Mary and invites us to spend time in quiet, contemplative prayer with Mary and the Christ Child in her arms.

The redesign of this space has had two unforeseen consequences.

First, the statue of Mary was unapproachable for decades because it was placed in the center of a rather large lawn area.  Now, through the addition of diagonal cobblestone paths which all lead to the statue, Mary has become accessible and, up close, her image truly communicates the love she has for her tiny baby.  So many people have said “What a beautiful new statue of Mary.”   This statue, here since its original dedication in 1951, is now seen with ‘new eyes’.

Second, the tragic story of the death of the young mother has become the source of prayer and remembrance for this community.  I have invited our seminarians to bring their personal prayers to Mary while also remembering the young mother and her family in their prayers.  Through the intercession of Mary, we ask Jesus to bless this young mother’s children with the awareness that, like Mary, their mother still loves and cares for them each day.

This Christmas I pray that you might see Mary, the mother of the Infant Jesus, in a new and personal way – with ‘new eyes.’  

May this Christmas Season fill you with images of Our Mother as she gently and sweetly caresses her son, holding him close, while unsure of his future.  Mary trusted that God would be with her and her child each day during the joy and trials of life.

This Christmas surrender all of life’s difficulties into the arms of that little child who reaches out in love and holds you close to his heart.

May your Christmas blessing be a new awareness of the precious gift of life you have been given each day; that gift of life first given to you by your loving mother.

May the Lord Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem and lived among us, be a companion with you on your life’s journey until your last breath, when He will welcome you home!

Finally, thank you this Christmastime for your generosity to the seminary with your prayers and sacrificial gifts throughout the year.  This is a difficult year for so many and I’m grateful for your generous spirit!

Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year to you and your family.

Gratefully yours in Christ,

Very Reverend Dennis J. Lyle

Rector/President

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