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1. They really exist. Not just in our minds, or our myths, or our symbols, or our culture. They are as real as your dog, or your sister, or electricity.
2. They’re present, right here, right now, right next to you, reading these words with you.
3. They’re not cute, cuddly, comfortable, chummy, or “cool”. They are fearsome and formidable. They are huge. They are warriors.
4. They are the real “extra-terrestrials”, the real “Super-men”, the ultimate aliens. Their powers are far beyond those of all fictional creatures.
5. They are more brilliant minds than Einstein.
6. They can literally move the heavens and the earth if God permits them.
7. There are also evil angels, fallen angels, demons, or devils. These too are not myths. Demon possessions, and exorcisms, are real.
8. Angels are aware of you, even though you can’t usually see or hear them. But you can communicate with them. You can talk to them without even speaking.
9. You really do have your very own “guardian angel”. Everybody does.
10. Angels often come disguised. “Do not neglect hospitality, for some have entertained angels unawares”—that’s a warning from life’s oldest and best instruction manual.  ~  from Peter Kreeft’s teaching on Angels.

• Angels are “real and present”.   Mary, assumed into Heaven, is also very real and ever present to us. She is not a deity but graced.  She is not only our model but our guide to holiness and a life with her Son, Jesus.
• The Angels are “fearsome and formidable.”  Prompting a proclamation of “Do not be afraid,” following their appearance in Scripture. Evidence of Mary’s angelic fierceness begins in Genesis. “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
• Angels are “aware of you” and “you can talk with them without even speaking.” Mary is very much aware of each of her children.  Her tender mother’s heart longs to comfort, guide, intercede and love on you.

• Caring:   “In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,  where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?”  ~ Luke 1:40-44
• Compassionate:  “When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”  And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”  His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”  ~ John 2:3-5
• Welcoming:  “So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”  ~ Luke 2:16-19

Before ascending to Heaven, Jesus endows the faithful with two magnificent gifts. First, the promise to send the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.  The grace of God’s Holy Spirit living within us, when evoked and cooperated with, offers a peace this world can not give.  Second, Jesus from the cross, generously gifts to us His Mother.

As he looked down upon His Mother, whose very presence must have filled his own heart with peace and comfort, he speaks these words:

The Marian Virtue of Angelic Sweetness manifests in my life through the blessing of being an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.   I have discovered my home-bound friends are not only thrilled to be receiving Jesus in the Eucharist but also to have av visitor.  This ministry grants me the opportunity to practice caring, compassion and being ever present to others.

I will never forget my first Christmas delivering Communion to four sweet residents of our local assisted living complex.  I arrived to find a note on the door of the complex, “WARNNG:  Stomach Flu epidemic. ENTER AT OWN RISK.”  What? NO!   My germaphobe alarms sounded and I could feel myself on the verge of a panic attack.   I looked down at the pyx holding Jesus. How could I allow my anxiety to keep me from bringing my new friends, “Christmas Jesus”?  Mother Mary, I prayed, help.  In that moment, a peace that surpassed all understanding, flooded my heart.   We enjoyed a joyous visit and gratefully I did not spend Christmas in the bathroom.

Also don’t forget to enter this FABULOUS giveaway!!
Funny story — I am a late entry to this inspiring Marian Virtues Series. I am so grateful for this opportunity to fill in and write on Angelic Sweetness.  The late entry really WORKED out awesome because that left me eligible to WIN the first week’s giveaway – a gorgeous print of Mary by Providential Co.

Rose is a mother of 5 and jewelry designer.
She makes make unique, faith-inspired jewelry combining relics and remnants from bygone eras with stylish, modern designs.
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and continue to join us in this Marian Virtue Series.