I can’t let May slip away without saying something about Mary, the Mother of Jesus. So, I thought we’d have a little fun today. Here’s a 12 point quiz on Mary for you to take. (I can hear some of your groaning… “A quiz? You think that’s fun?” But let me ease any anxiety you may have by saying this: There is little we know for sure about Mary. Some answers below, though, are based on pretty good archeological studies of first Century Palestine. So, if unsure of the answer, just take your best guess. Then I’ll give you the “correct” answers. (I’m indebted to my friend and fellow writer Sister Kathleen Glavich, SND for some of the answers from her book The Catholic Companion to Mary.)
1. What was Mary’s real name? In other words what name did her parents give her?
2. Did Mary own a cat?
3. What language did Mary speak?
4. Could Mary read and write?
5. Which of the following tasks did Mary do regularly: a) build a fire, b) fetch water from the well, c) bake bread, d) wash dishes, e) spin and sew, f) milk a goat, g) work in the fields, h) go to the synagoue on Saturdays, i) all of these, j) none of these.
6. Did Mary drink tea?
7. Did Mary ever sleep outdoors under the stars?
8. Was Mary kind and thoughtful?
9. Did Mary pray?
10. Did Mary suffer?
11. TRUE or FALSE: Mary lived during very peaceful times.
12. Did Mary ever appear on the cover of National Geographic Magazine?
Here are the “correct” answers to the questions.
1. Mary’s real name was Miriam or Miryam. Mary is the English translation of her name. Here are some other forms of Mary. Some may surprise you: Marie, Mariah, Mariel, Marietta, Maureen, Mae, Manette. Some nicknames based on Mary: Maia, Maja, Mame, Masha, Mia, Mimi, Mitzi, Molly, and Polly.
2. Mary could have had a cat. Cats were plentiful in first Century Palestine. Archaeologists believe that some people had them as pets.
3. Mary’s language was Aramaic–“a sister language of Hebrew–probably with a Galilean accent that was considered backwards” by some people. (Do we consider some accents in our country as “backwards?”) She most likely heard Greek, Latin, and Hebrew spoken in her town and probably knew some words in those languages too.
4. Most women did not read or write in first Century Palestine. But Joseph and Jesus, being men, were probably literate. Did either of them ever teach Mary to read and write? Who knows?
5. Mary did all of these tasks regularly throughout her life.
6. Mary drank tea. But not coffee. Coffee beans hadn’t made their way to first Century Palestine yet.
7. Yes, Mary slept outdoors under the stars. When their house was too hot, the Holy Family most likely would have gone up on the roof to sleep to get relief from the heat.
8. Yes, Mary was kind and thoughtful. “Love God and love others” would have been ingrained in her from childhood. Plus, the first thing Mary did after Gabriel’s startling visit, was to scurry over the hills to help her cousin Elizabeth. And at the wedding in Cana, she asked her son to do something about the shortage of wine to prevent embarrasment to the young couple.
9. Yes, Mary prayed. When Jesus was in agony in Gethsemane, he begs “Abba” to “remove this cup,” his impending crucifixion. But then he adds, “But not what I will, but what you will.” Where did he learn to pray like that? Don’t his words sound eerily similar to Mary’s words at the Annunciation? She said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your will.” And just take a good look at her Magnificat to get an insight into who God was for her!
10. Yes, Mary suffered. That 100-mile trek to Bethlehem when she was nine months pregnant was certainly no picnic! … And what about losing her 12-year-old son in the humongous city of Jerusalem for three agonizing days? … And what was going through her mind and heart as she watched her beloved son die a horrific death on a cross, unjustly executed as a criminal?
11. Mary lived during very violent times. The Romans had to resort to brutality to control their vast Empire. Where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus lived “was a hotbed of hatred for the Romans and therefore the home of rebels.” In 6 A.D. in a city called Sepphoris, just four miles north of Nazareth, there was a violent Jewish uprising against the Romans. Some historians say, in retaliation, Roman soldiers burned the city to the ground, sold its inhabitants into slavery, and crucified 2,000 men. Most likely Mary would have been well aware of this awful event. One tradition even says this city was her birthplace. Would she have known any of its inhabitants? Did she see any of those 2,000 men dying on their crosses?
12. And finally, yes, Mary did appear on the December 2015 cover of National Geographic with the caption: “Mary, the Most Powerful Woman in the World.”
For reflection:
Did anything stand out for you in today’s reflection? If so, what?
Would you like to add anything about Mary? If so, just add a comment below.
What does Mary mean to your personally? In other words, who is she to you?
There are so many beautiful hymns devoted to Mary that it was hard for me to choose one. But then I decided to go with something a little different, something that blends together devotion to Mary, beautiful music, a dear prayer, and lovely ice-skating! So, our video today is Olympic Gold Medal winner Peggy Fleming skating to Frantz Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” A little background. Schubert was only 28 when he wrote this “masterpiece.” The original lyrics were based on the epic poem “The Lady of the Lake” by Sir Walter Scott. Later the words of the “Hail Mary” were substituded for this piece. Peggy Fleming won her gold medal in Grenoble in 1968 when she was 20 years old. Biographers say her performance there “was a watershed in the development of an artistic component of competitive skating.” In this video, Fleming skated to “Ave Maria” in 1997 when she was 49 years old. I have never forgotten this performance, so I was happy to find it on YouTube. Here is the prayer “Hail Mary” “prayed” with harp and violin, and incorporating the “ballet of ice-skating.”
Please add your comments below about anything in this reflection–the words, the pictures, the reflective questions, and/or the video. We all enjoy hearing from you!
31 Responses
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Thank you for this blog devoted to Mary. So a bit of a sad story: When I was six, my mother (only forty-six) died of lung cancer on Dec. 12th, 1963. I am not sure how I grieved. There was no counseling, that’s for sure. I think I was just expected to get on with it. That Christmas there was only one candle in one window.
My father remarried seven years later, but I began to learn that grief never really goes away, and so I never really stopped thinking of her. I’ve written letters to her in my journals, I’ve written poems about her, and have asked my older siblings (I am the youngest of five) for stories about her, what she sounded like.
Then, 2010, while visiting my Aunt Peaches (Sr. Carla) at her convent in Connecticut, I noticed a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the wall. Below it was her feast day — Dec. 12th. What happened next is hard to explain, but somehow I knew my grief was beginning to heal. Hail Mary! So full of Grace! Thank you!
So touched by your sharing of this moment where eternity reached out into time with a healing touch of heavenly peace. May the healing arms of our heavenly mother continue to cradle you with love.
Thank you, Maureen.
That is such a beautiful testimony to LOVE… Love of GOD, Love of a child, and Love of a Mother, never abandon by either… GOD in His Mercy walked with you through the years and stages of a child missing his Momma, and allowed your Mom also to remain with you in all the various ways you felt her… down to giving reassurance to the child in you, still grieving for his Momma, realizing JESUS rescued her from her diseased body, on a Date of HIS beloved Mother’s Feast Day.. so that one day, you would find true comfort, to realize.. your Mom was with HIS Mom!! in the Glory of Heaven healed and with HIM forever! 💞. -Mary Jo (Alfonso)- (Sr. Regina Alfonso, SND’ s cousin in Memphis, TN) 5/23/25
Thank you, for sharing. Here is a suggestion to help you with your grieving (and, perhaps mourning, since they are different). Search for a ‘Griefshare’ group near to your location. Our faith community has been using the program for several years and our participants have loved what they have learned, such as, 1) your grief journey will be unique to you and no one can tell you how and/or how long it will take you to complete the journey. 2) You will never ‘get over’ the loss of your loved one, but you must work hard to ‘get through it’. 3) ask God for help and rely heavily on the holy Spirit to guide you along the way.
Good luck & God bless!
Thanks for the reminders of Mary’s every day tasks. She was a real person.
Good morning! I am not very close to Mary. She always reminds me of my mom who was very strict and I was not close to her either. I always pray that my relationship with Mother Mary will change and this new found insight will help me to start a better and closer relationship with her! Thank you for the blog about her!! Have a blessed Monday!!
I think Mary represents all good women in our lives. I think of someone I love and pray for her through Mary.
You should get the book “Come to Mary’s House” — it really will open a whole new world of Mary for you. I received it as a gift, and it has been a true gift for me to see her in a new way.
Lovely musical selection today, Sister. The rest was good and informative, but the musical selection couldn’t have been better.
What a beautiful tribute to Mary! Whether or not Peggy realized it or not she too gave Mary a beautiful tribute. It’s the universality of Gods “church”—fine whole created universe!Thanks Melanie
Today’s competitive skaters are power houses of speed, aerial spins, leaps, and now, flips.
This performance of Peggy Fleming demonstrates Grace.
Hail Mary, full of grace.
John’s story, too, reveals Grace.
Both touched my heart.
I agree with ALL of your “comment”! (both touched my heart, also!)-MJo
Your music selection spoke to me in so many ways. The combination of the selection with the beauty of grace in her movement spoke to me as I proceed with my chemo treatments.
It shows what can be done…even through it all.
God bless,
Carolyn Jablonski
Excellent choice of video.
Thank you Sr.Melannie for your reflection.
God Bless
Rosemarie
First of all, the Ave Maria never fails to bring tears and today was no exception…the movements of Peggy Fleming seemed so fitting a response to what Mary would be feeling trying to express her joy and perhaps a bit of skepticism at what she had been told.
John I can only imagine losing your mother at such a young age….how difficult it was that no one could talk about it….everyone defending their own pain. I had my mother till age 63 (mine not hers). She was so devoted to Mary and we said a family rosary every nite during the months of May and October. We apparently had mentioned that to the priest in planning her funeral because the deacon, at the wake who led the rosary said, “For one last time, your mother says, ‘come kids it is time to say the rosary’ “. Needless to say we were all in tears.
Of couse, being my namesake, she has always been important in my life…..I am much more appreciative of my name in my later years that I was in my younger years….too many of us in our Catholic school.
Thank you for your blog, S. Melannie,
Mary N.
Mary N., I share being very happy to have our Blessed Mother as my Namesake! She has been so close to me in my 70+ years here on earth (so far) and I’m forever grateful to my Momma Lillie and Daddy Vince for wanting to honor her, and her spouse St Joseph (as well as my Nona Josephine) by naming their baby “girl” for both. (after having a run of boys.. I’m #7… with 2girls only at the beginning! Lol). Thank you for sharing your beautiful comment.💞
-Mary Jo (Josephine)🤗🥰
Beautiful reflection and music video leaves me feeling overwhelmed with profound thoughts of gratitude for Mary, our blessed mother. And to my own mother, Mary, who taught us to have a deep devotion to Jesus’s mother. Thank you Melannie. Praying you have a blessed retreat week.
Sister Melannie,
I have been touched by many of your blogs often, but never took the time to tell you.
So first of all thank you. Thanks to my mom I have a special devotion to Mary and the Holy Family. We moved about three years ago and have been searching for the perfect
Holy Family statue ever since. Do you know where the statue on your blog is from. It looks perfect for our needs.( outdoors) I hope. Ave Marie is a favorite hymn of
course, but I think my favorite is Mary Did You know?
Blessings,
Sue
Today’s reflection made me realize that I need to deepen my devotion to Mary.
Although she was privileged to be the mother of Christ, she lived an ordinary life with love and devotion ~ a perfect role model for us.
The video was a beautiful tribute to Mary in Peggy’s graceful performance.
Thank you!
I was touched by your article. It brought back memories of my dear mother, named Maria, who passed away at the age of 58. One day she was here the next day she was gone due to a massive heart attack. At her funeral mass, a lady with a beautiful voice sang The Ave Maria. It’s a bitter sweet song for me, as I’m reminded of her passing, but I know she’s in a better place and with the Lord.
She was a faithful Catholic who made sure we were in church on Sundays. In the month of May, we would take flowers she grew in our yard to our Blessed Mother.
She’s been gone 56 years, and to this day I think her and dad who did their best to raise my siblings and I.
Love your blog, Sister Melanie. Hope you are well. You are in my prayers.
Just recently I stumbled across “Sunflower Seeds” and I’m so grateful that I did. I have enjoyed the reflections, comments, music and now today’s beautiful video.
Thank you Sister Melannie and to those who have contributed to the blog, it’s very inspiring!
May is such a beautiful month and so fitting to pay tribute to Mary the Mother of God.
I have always loved Mary and have prayed for her protection throughout my life.
Thank you for your lovely blog on Mary and for the beautiful video. Very special during this month of May. Blessings on your week.
Sister Melannie,
What a wonderful tribute to Our Lady. My Mom and Gramma were devoted to Mary and set such good examples for us. When I want to feel Mary, my Mom and Gramma, I listen to On This Day Oh Beautiful Mother and there they are together. Peggy Fleming paid a meaningful tribute to Our Lady.
Thank you for your weekly uplifts.
OMIGOSH! I had chills watching Peggy Fleming’s skating. She was always a favorite and this performance was just wonderful. We have a 17 yr old granddaughter who skates competitively and this past weekend she scored the highest she’s ever scored and took first place in the competition. She’s a lovely skater. And, of course, skating to Ave Maria really made me come to tears. Thank you for that, Sister Melannie. I received a book from a friend called “Come to Mary’s House” — it’s a compilation of short meditations and “visits to Mary’s house” to “see her” in her own realm. It’s a wonderful read each day and you really learn to know Mary as a woman who did the same things we do (with fewer conveniences!). I recommend it highly.
Sister Rosalie who died at age 103 told me frequently she missed having a mother because she had died when Rosalie was only 4. Rosalie said she told Jesus when she died she wanted Jesus to bring her Mother because she didn’t know her and his mother. I believe that happened when her face became radiant as she focuseAgnesd on a corner of the room just minutes before she took her last breath. What a graced moment for the two of us who were there with her at the time.
What a wonderful tribute to our Blessed Mother. We don’t often think of what her life was like growing up doing those every tasks. Thank you for the reminder of what her life must ha e been like. The beautiful music to Peggy Fleming skating was very moving. Thank you for all that you do.
I grew up in an orphanage (1948- 1962) most of my childhood life. I grew up without LOVE. Many nights I wondered who I was, where I was and why I was, in these difficult times I looked to Many for comfort and understanding, she was my go to Mother. I never wanted to disappoint Mary, though many times I did…and I felt so bad.
I still call on Mary in troubled times and it always makes me feel so special.
Thank you Sr. Melannie. Growing up, I loved Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The month of May was so special with special attention to our Blessed Mother and May Crownings. Students in our class took turns, girls being Mary and boys being St. Joseph as we got to “crown” Mary each day in May. How normal was that; just as God had planned.
I had beautiful parents and we were taught and told to pray/thank God for everything. My mom clinged to saying the Rosary but we never had family rosaries said together. I wish we had and wish I had all us recite the rosary while raising my family. Never too late to share with grandchildren and to teach the intercession of our Mother Mary to Jesus. Thank you; you are a blessing to share and rekindle.
Sr. Melanie Svoboda, SND,
I think my precious cousin is in your Congregation there in Ohio. (Sr. Regina Alfonso, SND). If I’m correct, please give her a hug and my love for me. Sincerely yours in Christ,
-Mary Jo (Alfonso) Mitchell 5/23/25
(I was reading a reflection of yours in my “Living Faith” Daily Catholic Devotional- dated from May 22, 2017
and it gave your blog “Sunflower Seeds”. I certainly enjoyed it today and hope to visit it again! Thank you!