EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — St. Anthony’s Guild is sponsoring a devotion to “Mary the New Eve” — as depicted in a statue of the Blessed Mother, eight months pregnant.
The devotion is intended to ask blessings for health and safety to expectant mothers and their babies and “allows us to look at the birth of Christ, and of all of us, in a very different and very human light,” according to Joseph Hertel, OFM, director of the guild.
Russell Becker, OFM, composed the prayer, which can be viewed on the guild’s website.
“A mother passes along so much to her child. They’re so dependent on her in all those moments of intense love, sacrifice and generosity,” Russell said. “When the child is born, the promise of conception is brought to fulfillment and the adventure continues — more surprises and more challenges, along with joy beyond all telling.”
The guild is offering the statue and personalized prayer cards as a gift for a pregnant loved one. The front of the card includes the image of the statue and on the back, the prayer. Product information is available on the guild’s website or by calling 800-848-4538.
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