Stand in the Gap With Us And Saint Cornelius 9/16/2024. Saint Cornelius was the bishop of Rome from 6th or 13th March 251 until his martyrdom in June 253. He was pope during and following a period of persecution of the church, while a schism occurred over how repentant church members who had practiced pagan sacrifices to protect themselves could be readmitted to the church. He agreed with Cyprian of Carthage that those who had lapsed could be restored to communion after varying forms of Reinitiation and Penance. St. Cornelius was a Priest that strongly believed in the gift of confession. In his time there were many Christians who denounced Christianity to Emperor Decius in order to be spared their lives. The Church leaders of their time thought they could never be brought back into the church after such behavior. Cornelius's saintly name means "battle horn", and he is represented in icons by a pope either holding some form of cow's horn or with a cow nearby. But Cyprian called him a martyr and later accounts said that Cornelius had been beheaded. He was buried at Rome in the crypt of Lucina, where his tomb can still be seen Cornelius Martyr. Cornelius is the patron saint of earache sufferers (perhaps because of his arguments with Novatian), domestic animals, cattle and, unsurprisingly, the town of Kornelimünster.
John Benko continue to send thei war chants againt Deepertruth, EWTN, and Catholic Answers. ohn Benko's arrogance and pompous pride makes him feel like he matters, he proclaims, " Posting more often helped increase our reach, keep it up", yet much of their work is down the drain. Fortunately, Deepertruth is here to pick up the pieces. They continue to lose folks around the country to Deepertruth. Benko continues to claim, "We are crushing it, thanks to all of you." Thank you John Benko, your helping Deepertruth Catholics all over the world strong in their Catholic faith they call out for "Deepertruth to Beat John Benko" and the 4 Persons Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This verse reminds athletes that by relying wholly on God's strength, and not their own, they can overcome any obstacle. When an athlete faces a challenging situation, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that they are not alone.
Deepertruth: wants to thank all of you who reached out showing support. I am excited after hearing from many of you over the past several days of their switching from the 4 Persons to Deepertruth. Based on that movement of so many, I waant to welcome each and every one who has reached out and to join us as we celebrate our holy Catholic faith. Have you found it discouraging to connect on the internet, Deepertruth is a place that is faith oriented following the Teaching Magisteriam of the Catholic Church.
Stand In The Gap With Us As We Honor Our Lady of Sorrows 9/15/2024. It commemorates the profound union of heart that existed between the Mother of the Redeemer and the Savior, through which she experienced many interior sorrows as a consequence of His Mission, but particularly during His Passion and Death. The Lucan passage is Simeon's prediction about a sword piercing Mary's soul; the Johannine passage relates Jesus' words from the cross to Mary and to the beloved disciple. Many early Church writers interpret the sword as Mary's sorrows, especially as she saw Jesus die on the cross. The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon and Anna The Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt. ... The Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus. ... The Fourth Sorrow: The Condemnation of Jesus. ... The Fifth Station: The Crucifixion of Jesus. ... The Sixth Station: The Retrieval of Jesus' Body. ... The Seventh Station: The Burial of Jesus. Jesus promised St. Elizabeth of Hungary her four principal ones: First, that those who before death invoke the Divine Mother in the name of her sorrows should obtain true repentance of all their sins. Second, that He would protect all who have this devotion in their tribulations, and that He would protect them especially at the hour of death. Third, that He would impress upon their minds the remembrance of His Passion, and that they should have their reward for it in heaven. Fourth, that He would commit such devout clients to the hands of Mary, with the power to dispose of them in whatever manner she might please, and to obtain for them all the graces she might desire.”
Stand In The Gap With Us As We Honor Exaltation of the Holy Cross 9/14/2024. The universal symbol of the Christian faith, the cross represents Christ's victory over death. The feast celebrates the redemptive transformation of a barbaric instrument of torture into a divine “tree of life” that brings hope to humankind. This could also be a great day to go through your home and ensure that each room has a cross or crucifix in it, which is an old Catholic tradition. Pray the stations of the cross– another perfect prayer activity for today! Early in the fourth century, Saint Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, went to Jerusalem in search of the holy places of Christ’s life. She razed the second-century Temple of Aphrodite, which tradition held was built over the Savior’s tomb, and her son built the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher on that spot. During the excavation, workers found three crosses. Legend has it that the one on which Jesus died was identified when its touch healed a dying woman. The cross immediately became an object of veneration. At a Good Friday celebration in Jerusalem toward the end of the fourth century, according to an eyewitness, the wood was taken out of its silver container and placed on a table together with the inscription Pilate ordered placed above Jesus’ head: Then “all the people pass through one by one; all of them bow down, touching the cross and the inscription, first with their foreheads, then with their eyes; and, after kissing the cross, they move on.”
Slides past the 214 Thousand mark Bringing Christ To The World. From October 25, 2023 to 13 September 2024, Deepertruth gained 5376 points in 324 days, almost 12 months. The 4 Persons gained 2,889 points. Deepertruth took the field during this period of time by 2,487 points. Catholics all over the world strong in their Catholic faith they call out for "Deepertruth to Beat John Benko" and the 4 Persons Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This verse reminds athletes that by relying wholly on God's strength, and not their own, they can overcome any obstacle. When an athlete faces a challenging situation, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that they are not alone. The task a head of you , is never as Great as the POWER behind you, stay strong. Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. Deepertruth continues to welcome former The 4 Persons podcast listeners and readers. Several of the new groups that have been supporting us come from: Militia of the Immaculata Even Demons fear Mary Medjugorje Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother Mary I love you Catholic Saints Saints of the Day St. Anthony of Padua St. Therese of the Child Jesus EWTN Catholic Mass Sodality of Blessed Carle Acutis We love the Catholic Faith Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer Warrior Group Spiritual children of St. Padre Pio These are among the many new groups that have members listening in. God bless them all! Pray the Rosary and please remember John Benko in your prayers as he has turned his heart and mind to evil.
Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar. Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint John Chrysostom 9/13/2024. ohn Chrysostom, (born 347 ce, Antioch, Syria—died September 14, 407, Comana, Helenopontus; Western feast day September 13; Eastern feast day November 13), early Church Father, biblical interpreter, and archbishop of Constantinople. Did you know that “Chrysostom” is a nickname that meansDid you know that “Chrysostom” is a nickname that means “golden-mouthed”? A legendary orator, St. John Chrysostom enjoyed immense popularity as a preacher in Antioch.? A legendary orator, St. John Chrysostom enjoyed immense popularity as a preacher in Antioch.
Welcomes more former John Benko The 4 Persons who makes the switch. Due to the dwindling numbers of the 4 Persons listeners, today their numbers continue to be low. Some of their listeners have switch to Deepertruth because they are finding that John Benko is a fake and a liar. and many declaring that John Benko is disgusting. This has John Benko so torn that he is moved to utilize his charecter assassination tactic. This is the kind of trash that John Benko puts forth, he has no facts, I have the Diocese of Kansas backing me up, all Benko has is his agenda. John Benko on his website explained that he has a #6 ranked podcast on a Blog Talk Radio page. What Benko is not aware of that I Donald Timothy Hartley take credit for that ranking of that Podcast. Richard Pettys Jr. asked if I would provide the link of his podcast. The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Saint of the day (2024,08/18) and through my involvement, this podcast has a rank of #6. I did this for Richard because he asked me too. I didn't do it for John Benko, Catholics all over the world strong in their Catholic faith they call out for "Deepertruth to Beat John Benko" and the 4 Persons Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This verse reminds athletes that by relying wholly on God's strength, and not their own, they can overcome any obstacle. When an athlete faces a challenging situation, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that they are not alone.
Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar. Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. The 4 persons takes its name from the 1st great commandment of Christ, to love God with one's entire heart, soul, mind and strength. John Benko people leaving the 4 Persons like rats on a sinking ship Jesus also said "If you love Me you would obey my commandments." There is a difference from proclaiming to be Christian and actually being a Christian and that come down to are you obeying Jesus Christ. Are you being led by the world (Satan) or by Jesus Christ?
Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar. Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Stand In The Gap With Us As We Honor Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9/12/2024. The Most Holy Name of Mary feast day honors Mary, the Mother of God, as blessed. It takes place each year on September 12th, four days after the feast of the Birth of the Blessed Mother. "May the sweet Name of Mary be my hope and my refuge."may receive strength and comfort in all our needs.Amen.” Prayer from the Mass for the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Lord our God, when your Son was dying on the altar of the cross, he gave us as our mother the one he had chosen to be his own mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant that we who call upon the holy name of Mary, our mother, with confidence in her protection may receive strength and comfort in all our needs. Amen.”
John Benko is like a bad Cold, the gift that keeps on Giving John Benko Suffers Defeat again at the hands of Deepertruth as the 4 Persons continue to lose listeners 16 to 9, 9/11/2024 Deepertruths lead today is 208627 Up from 208618 (9/10/2024) Deepertruth holds at 67.% Average per post The 4 Persons at 9% Average per post Deepertruth stands at 213,968, The 4 Persons ends with 5341 John Benko makes this bold ultimatum "once more, I will go over the terms and conditions" As if John Benko owns the internet? Benko says that Deepertruth is not to show the results of their victories over his The 4 Persons. Losing for John Benko is harrassment. John Benko would cease his perverted bambardment against Deepertruth. If Deepertruth were to yield to Benkos demand so he could cheat and lie. Benko asks, "Why does Deepertruth expose John Benko at all times? It is to show that his lies and his cheating is not the American way, let a lone, the Catholic way. Proudly, Benko claims T4P continues to be the UNDISPUTED Catholic voice on Block Talk Radio, that is a lie that he does not want to face day after day, week after week, month after month. "Like virtually every day T4P is ranked higher than other Catholic Shows, another lie. Then Benko states, "We are the Catholic Kings of Blog talk Radio, it's not arguable". John Benko's blindness to truth says, Deepertruth can lash out all they want but their constant fits of rage won't make them competitive with us. Yet, Deepertruth out performs in Radion production and the webside is not filled with the rage and obscene laaanguage from John Benko. Blog talk Radio are the genuine officials in this contest, proclaims Deepertruth at # 1, The 4 persons is not even close. With is coming out, we can expect more demonic perverted lies coming from John Benko
Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar. Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Cyprian 9/11/2024. Cyprian of Antioch was a pagan sorcerer who converted toJesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church. In about 620 AD, a hermit named Cyprien settled in a cave that overlooked the Dordogne valley. Others gathered around him and a monastic community grew up. Barbarian invasions in the mid-9th century forced the monks to build defensive ramparts, one of which is the belltower-keep that survives today. Latin in full Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus, (born 200 ce, Carthage—died September 14, 258, Carthage; Western and Eastern feast day September 16; Anglican feast day September 26), early Christian theologian and bishop of Carthage who led the Christians of North Africa during a period of persecution from Rome.
Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar. Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Where Liberty Dwells There Is My Country. Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear,* slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law* of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. This is the basis of Benjamin Franklin, "Where Liberty Dwells There Is My Country". The Law of (Liberty), the perfect law of freedom and perseveres...
: Saint Thomas of Villanova “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” 9/10/2024. spent on the poor in the hospital. What does a poor friar like myself want with furniture?” Thomas composed beautiful sermons, among which stands out the Sermon on the Love of God, one of the great examples of sacred oratory of the 16th century He began his episcopacy by visiting every parish in the Archdiocese to discover what the needs of the people were. He wore the same habit that he had received in the novitiate, mending it himself. The canons and domestics were ashamed of him, but they could not convince him to change. Several hundred poor came to Thomas’s door each morning and received a meal, wine, and money. When criticized because he was at times being taken advantage of, he replied, “If there are people who refuse to work, that is for the governor and the police to deal with. My duty is to assist and relieve those who come to my door.” He took in orphans and paid his servants for every deserted child they brought to him. Thomas of Villanova (1486-1555) was known for his promotion of studies and missions in the Order of Saint Augustine, and for his love and care for the poor. Thomas García Martínez was born in 1486 in Fuenllana, Ciudad Real, Spain. He spent his childhood in the family home in Villanova de los Infantes. Saint Thomas of Villanova is a Spanish friar who is celebrated by the Augustinians on his feast day, October 10. He is the patron saint of Villanova University, an Augustinian school named one of the Top 50 of the Nation's Best Colleges and Universities by U.S. News & World Report.
Prayer for the children of John Benko who were abused by Benko's negligence John Benko lashes out with false accusations, like the Democrat he is. Holy Spirit, we ask that you bring freedom to any child that has been abused in one way or the other. We refuse to allow the devil to hold them captive. They are your children and have been called into your wonderful light. Lord free them from the pain of abuse, hear the cries of our brothers and sisters stuck in human trafficking. Almighty God, fill them with your perfect love and calm all restless hearts. Show them that you see them and know what they are going through and are there right beside them. No matter how ugly the situation is, Lord show them that they can lean on you. Everlasting God, we know these are tough times for these children and their families, we pray Lord that you help them through this difficult situation and hard time in their lives. Open up the hearts of people to pour out God’s love upon their hearts. Give any child going through child abuse or that are victims of child abuse the strength to rely on you. Help them to trust in you no matter how bad it is, knowing that you are sovereign and you see them.
Stand In The Gap With Us And St. Peter Claver, Man Of Many Conversions 9/9/2024. A native of Spain, young Jesuit Peter Claver left his homeland forever in 1610 to be a missionary in the colonies of the New World. He sailed into Cartagena, a rich port city washed by the Caribbean. He was ordained there in 1615. By this time the slave trade had been established in the Americas for nearly 100 years, and Cartagena was a chief center for it. Ten thousand slaves poured into the port each year after crossing the Atlantic from West Africa under conditions so foul and inhuman that an estimated one-third of the passengers died in transit. Although the practice of slave-trading was condemned by Pope Paul III and later labeled “supreme villainy” by Pope Pius IX, it continued to flourish. Peter Claver’s predecessor, Jesuit Father Alfonso de Sandoval, had devoted himself to the service of the slaves for 40 years before Claver arrived to continue his work, declaring himself “the slave of the Negroes forever.” As soon as a slave ship entered the port, Peter Claver moved into its infested hold to minister to the ill-treated and exhausted passengers. After the slaves were herded out of the ship like chained animals and shut up in nearby yards to be gazed at by the crowds, Claver plunged in among them with medicines, food, bread, brandy, lemons, and tobacco. With the help of interpreters he gave basic instructions and assured his brothers and sisters of their human dignity and God’s love. During the 40 years of his ministry, Claver instructed and baptized an estimated 300,000 slaves.
Pray for America and long live America, Viva Cristo Rey! Long Live Christ the King! September 9, 1776, holds historical significance as the day the Continental Congress officially adopted the name “United States” for the new nation. Lord, We are thankful for the abundant blessings You have bestowed on America. Our forefathers looked to You as Protector, Provider, and the Promise of hope. But we have wandered far from that firm foundation. May we repent for turning our backs on Your faithfulness. We pray that this great nation will be restored by Your forgiveness. From bondage, You grant freedom. Through Your own sacrifice, You offer salvation. From the state of despair, You offer peace. From the bounties of Heaven, You have blessed – not because of our goodness – but by Your grace. You have given us freedom to worship You in spirit and in truth as Your holy Word instructs. May our lives honor You in word and deed. May our nation acknowledge that all good things come from the Father above. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that our nation should set apart a day for national prayer to confess our sins and transgressions in sorrow, “yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon… announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” “We have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our own hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own… we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God who made us! It behooves us then… to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”
Join John Carpenter, Don Hartley, and the Deeper Truth research team as they investigate an amazing story from Italy in 1947. The Marian Apparition at Tre Fontane He carried this message to the Vatican. During his audience with Pius, Cornacchiola asked for forgiveness for his hatred against the Catholic Church after his conversion to Protestantism. This is what led him to plot against killing the Pope. He confessed to Pius that he even bought a dagger with the inscription “death to the pope.” Cornacchiola’s reconversion launched his entrance into the “sheepfold,” the Catholic Church. His conversion was lasting. “This place is a place of great conversion, a call to the truth of the Catholic Church,” explained Mother Rebecca Nazzaro, mother superior of the Missionaries of Divine Revelation, a religious order inspired by the message of the Virgin. “The grotto of Tre Fontane was a place of ‘sin’ because it was a place of illicit meetings and also where the remains of aborted children were found. Therefore, Our Lady said, ‘With this soil of sin, I will work great miracles for the conversion of unbelievers and sinners,’” explained Sister Emanuela Edwards, a Missionary of Divine Revelation. Behind the grotto there is a small corridor with a collection of photos, flowers, mementos and a carved plaque, left in gratitude to the Virgin. Toward the end of the corridor is the heart of the grotto, which marks the exact place the Virgin Mary disappeared from Cornacchiola, turning in the same direction as St. Peter’s Basilica. The converted man prayed there often to ask for particular intercessions.
John Benko of The 4 Persons makes concessions that he is a snake pit, his agenda is to attack Donald Hartley because of his personal hate Two things to notice, I am wearing Fort Campbell Screaming Eagle covering on my head. I am also wearing a Knights of Columbus jacket would tell you much of who I really am. The above demonic inspiration of John Benko speaks to his own problems. It is not my children and grand-children who were abused sexually, no it is John Benko's own flesh and blood whom is responsible his sexual abuse of his children when they were helpless against him. Also, this picture was taken in front of the very church Benko makes the false accusation. The real sick mind is the one making the sick accusations. I have an Archdiocease who backs me up against John Benko's lies. I simply transferred from on local Parish to another not because of the false demonic accusation coming from the 4 Persons. The Parish I am with is the same Diocese. I am in good standing with the Archbishop, his office of chancellor of diocese, I am also 100% on my Virtus training which shows to anyone who has adiocean background that John Benko is a liar who should be in jail for this criminal act as well as putting out my sensitive information to the public to incite violence against me and my family. This boils down because I fired John Benko from Deepertruth because of his bully style creepy attacks.
Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar. Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 8 The Church has celebrated Mary’s birth since at least the sixth century. A September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s birth. However, the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James fills in the gap. This work has no historical value, but it does reflect the development of Christian piety. According to this account, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child who will advance God’s plan of salvation for the world. Such a story, like many biblical counterparts, stresses the special presence of God in Mary’s life from the beginning.