From Bishop Daly

One of the central figures during the seasons of Advent and Christmas is, of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate Mary in the liturgy with the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Gospel of Luke calls our attention to the visitation of our Blessed Mother to her cousin Elizabeth and the Christmas readings highlight Mary's central role as the mother of our savior.

St. John Paul Il’s trust in our Blessed Mother has often been traced back to the loss of his own mother, Emilia, before he was nine. Those who knew him best believed that Mary provided the late Pope with a maternal influence.