[Siobhan]

My mother Noreen came from a tradition in the west of Ireland where every feast of Our Lady had a special meal and a special dessert. Simple fare, but wonderful. This evening those of us who can will get together and will have a huge birthday party for the Blessed Mother with our mother as the "Guest of Honor".

[livius]

These traditions are so wonderful. Spain (where I am going tomorrow!) is full of them, and full of wonderful village celebrations in honor of the "local Virgin," that is, the apparition of the Virgin whose shrine is nearest the town. Unfortunately, of course, there are "liturgists" in Spain as well, so much of this is disappearing from official religious practice.

NYer, that term (the Dwelling Place of God) is from the Eastern Church, where they have some of the most beautiful prayers in existence - and still in current use - to the Mother of God.