In the Annunciation, Mary becomes the new mercy seat, the throne where God comes to dwell with His people. Her womb is the first throne of the Son of God in this world. Then, by the wondrous exchange effected in God's beautiful love, that same woman who made of herself a throne for the Almighty is, in the end, crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Do you remember the number one fear we had when the Digital Revolution began? I do. When we saw our beloved books, indispensable reference tomes, and vital paper documents migrating to online spaces.

The Catholic Church has always viewed patriotism as a virtue, and today we need to be clear in how it differs from nationalism. Patriotism has emotional roots in the love of one’s country. However, emotional attachment does not make one a patriot.