theROCK

Our Blessed Mother

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Hail, Our Life, Our Sweetness and Our Hope!

My parents had a routine during their retirement to pray the Rosary daily. Sometimes they’d pray together and sometimes not, but they did almost every day. My mother had a very strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, probably because she lost her own mother at a very young age. As the mother of 6 boys, she probably figured she needed all the help she could get! We see Mary as the model disciple. Though we find it difficult at times to follow her example of “fiat” unconditionally, she is the ultimate goal of discipleship. Mary had difficulties in her life, but she carried her daily crosses without bitterness or anger, and she carried them, as did her Son, with great faith in the Father. Let our focus be to become just a little bit more like Mary, to say yes to the will of the Father in our lives, and model her discipleship, even if it is in the smallest of ways. 

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria, pray for us!

Whispers in the Heart

Mothers hold a very special place in our hearts and in world.

To say that my maternal mother, Jeanette, was a blessing is an understatement. My mom lived and carried herself as a role model of faith. She helped me to understand what a true disciple is. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized the sacrifices she made, and how faith was the constant in her life which sustained her. It was my grandparents who taught her about the works of mercy—what it means to care for those in need.

My mom learned that when you felt that you were at the end of your rope there is always hope. My mom was a widow at the age of 42 with 8 children to raise. I never felt that I lacked anything. I learned of her struggles and how the Lord came through for her in so many desperate times from the stories she shared later. Even now in heaven, she still is helping me and directing my path. I would say, “I love you mom,” and her response was always, “I love you more.” At times, I miss hearing that out loud but it still whispers in my heart.

As I have grown in my faith life, I have come to form a greater relationship with Mary, our Blessed Mother. She is a go-to person for me to ask for her intercession. She is a great example to me of how to be a humble servant. She shows me how to respond to God with great obedience to His plan. 

A third mother is St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta. In all aspects of her life she was a generous dispenser of divine mercy. Through her defense of human life, those unborn and those abandoned and discarded, she modeled true discipleship. She is and always will be a model of holiness. 

Jesus, thank you for all the mothers you have placed in my life.