Fr John Rizzo
As the month of May draws to a close, we are reminded that it is the month dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. Let us pray that graces received in this month will not be lost.
When we consider the love of a mother’s heart, it is truly a love that tops the list, so to speak. As St Therese said: The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.
To contemplate the love that a mother has for her children is one of the best ways to understand love. A mother loves her children unconditionally – and mostly, that love is united to sacrifice.
I remember a lady named Annette, who was dying of cancer. Annette and her husband John had a large family, and the children were being brought up in a beautiful Catholic environment. The family would regularly come to Mass – not just on a Sunday, but on weekdays as well. Annette was a very prayerful woman and would spend time alone before the Blessed Sacrament. Even at night, on a First Friday evening for example, she would come to our little chapel. When it was cold, and I would plead with her to turn the heating on, she would say “Oh no, Father, I’m fine. I will just wrap myself in a blanket.”
The cancer advanced, and one day I went to visit her when she was in her sick bed. I asked her “Annette, is there anything I can do for you?” “Well Father”, she replied, “I have seen all my children – except one – make their First Holy Communion. I am praying that God will allow me to live long enough to let me see my youngest child receive his First Holy Communion.” I said “Annette, we are going to arrange that. As far as I am concerned, your prayer has already been answered.”
I called the child, and I asked him about the Holy Eucharist. He answered my questions correctly because of the good catechetics he had received from his mother and father. I turned to Annette and said to her “Annette, I am coming here tomorrow morning to say Mass, here in your house, and you can witness from your bedroom your son making his First Holy Communion.” Tears of joy ran down her face – she couldn’t thank me enough.
The following morning, we did exactly that. A few other parishioners who were close friends of the family also came, and sang some hymns during the Mass. Annette, the proud mother, was beaming in spite of her suffering, smiling from ear to ear when she saw her youngest son kneeling at the foot of her bed as he made his First Holy Communion.
Annette’s one dying wish was granted. Sadly, she died about two weeks later.
I share this story with you because it really expresses the love of the heart of a mother. I was very moved at witnessing such love – and what an honour it was for me to have been able to help fulfil Annette’s last wish.
Annette’s love for her children first and foremost concerned their souls – and, as such, that love truly did image the maternal heart of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Mother of us all, who loves us, her children, and wants to ensure that we are ever so close to the Sacraments and her Son.
A Mother’s Prayer for Her Children
Holy Mother Mary,
who by virtue of your divine motherhood,
have become mother of us all,
I place the charge which God has given me under your loving protection.
Be a protecting Mother to my children.
Guard their bodies and keep them
in health and strength.
Guard their minds and keep their thoughts ever holy
in the sight of their Creator and God.
Guard their hearts and keep them pure and strong and happy in the love of God.
Guard always their souls and ever preserve in them, faithfully,
the glorious image of God
whom they received in Holy Baptism. Always Mother,
protect them and keep them under your Mothering care.
Supply in your all-wise motherhood,
for my poor human deficiencies
and protect them from all evil.
Amen.
Queen of the Most Holy Family, Pray for us.
