Mother Mary (Mama Mary) and My Little Joan

Good Morning, Y'all! I was listening to our Catholic radio station recently, 91.5 FM KPDE on my way home from the noon Mass. The program was, Called to Communion, with Dr. David Anders. A Protestant called in and asked why we worship Mother Mary. I just want to share my thoughts on this much asked question. I was raised Methodist, and one day I met the most wonderful, Catholic man who was very devout in his faith. I told him that I would go to Mass with him and see what I thought. I really wanted us to go to church together as a family. I fell in love with the Catholic faith, (I had already fallen in love with and married the wonderful man!) and in 1986 I began taking RCIA classes. I was confirmed as a Catholic during the Easter Vigil in 1987.

Now back to the reason I am writing this story, back to Mama Mary. I attached a picture to go with my story when I posted it on my face book page and on my blog. I picked this picture because this is how I see Mother Mary, as a loving, respected, precious mother. She is holding Jesus on her lap and four children are at her feet. One is standing holding a bouquet of flowers. One is sitting back on her feet, her hands placed in a prayerful position looking up at Baby Jesus and Mother Mary. The other two are kneeling with their heads bowed reverently. It is such a beautiful picture, one of my favorites. It was painted by, Giuseppe Magni (1869-1956). We do not worship Mother Mary, but we do see her for the very important person that she was and still is. God chose her, to give birth to His Son. She is a wonderful example for us to follow. We ask Mother Mary to pray and intercede for us. Just like you might ask someone who has a lot of faith to pray for you, we ask Mother Mary to pray for us. She wants to bring us closer to her Son.

When I look at this picture, I think about when my granddaughter, Joan, was in the hospital and so very sick. I remember walking over to Sacred Heart Cathedral. I walked into the Sanctuary and went to the side where they have the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, (picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the candles and the kneeler). I lit a candle, and knelt down. I was so overcome with worry that I sat back on my heels and lay my head down on my arms on the arm rest of the kneeler and began to cry. I asked Mama Mary to please pray for my little Joan. I just remember crying and praying and asking her to please pray for healing, to please pray that the doctors would find out what was wrong, to please pray for me to have strength to help my daughter, her husband, and their daughters, my granddaughters. I felt like I was sitting at Mother Mary's feet, my head in her lap. My mom died when I was 12 years old, and at that moment, I really needed my mom. Mother Mary is a mom to me. She is a beautiful example of love, compassion, selflessness, and faith. When I finished asking for her prayers, I walked up to the kneeler in front of the Tabernacle and knelt down and prayed to Jesus. I knelt quietly for a while just taking in His Presence, His peace, His comfort, and then I knew I could go back to the hospital and be strong for my family once more.

I have a picture of Joan sitting on the kneeler beneath the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, she calls her Mama Mary, and even though at that time she wasn't yet two years old, it was like she knew that she needed to sit at Mama Mary's feet, and ask for her prayers. Our God is an awesome God, and He is who we worship, and He is who answers our prayers, and Mother Mary intercedes for us, and leads us closer to Jesus. Joan is 3 years and 2 months old now. She is doing very well, thanks be to God. She loves to go to Mass. She loves Mama Mary, but she has also started kneeling somewhere else now. When her mom goes up to receive communion and Joan receives a blessing, she tugs free of her mom's hand when they get close to the Tabernacle. Little Joan goes to the kneeler and kneels, she places her little hands together in prayer, so very serious. When I see her do that, my heart stops beating for just a second, and I know that Mama Mary is leading Joan to her Son.

At one point, children were brought to him so that he could place his hands on them in prayer. The disciples began to scold them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them. The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” And he laid his hands on their heads before he left that place.

Matthew 20:13-15