* February 9 – Our Lady of the Castle (Fiorano, Italy, 1558)  * Rebecca is a figure of the Virgin Mary  --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association February 9 – Our Lady of the Castle (Fiorano, Italy, 1558)  Rebecca is a figure of the Virgin Mary  Image from http://totus2us.com/home/ Some Christians do not believe that it is possible to pray to the Virgin Mary, or that she can pray for us. Since the Scriptures are the best means of helping them, let us turn to the Scriptures. Do you recall the story of Jacob and Esau? Esau had sold his birthright for some lentil soup. When Isaac had grown old Rebecca wanted to obtain for her son Jacob his father's blessing. Isaac had become blind. Rebecca clothed her son Jacob in his brother's garments and Jacob obtained his father's blessing. Rebecca is a figure of the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary, who loves each of us as Rebecca loved Jacob, clothes us in the garments of her firstborn son, Jesus Christ. The Virgin Mary is not the source of God's grace, but her immaculate heart, burning with love of God, wholly united with the heart of Christ, desires our salvation and implores her Son Jesus Christ to clothe us with the "garment of salvation," the grace of God. That is why, like Saint John, we can make a place for Mary in our homes. She will be an even better mother to us than Rebecca was to Jacob.  Hervé Marie Catta Taken from www.1000questions.net Rebecca & Jacob www.mariedenazareth.com Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.