By REY FLORES
“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be” — Let It Be lyrics by The Beatles.
+ + +
On December 12, we Catholics celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas, and the Patroness of the Unborn.
My own mother Alicia has always told me that she prayed that I would be born on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her prayers were answered. My birthday has been my saving grace as far as I’m concerned.
I am not implying that my being born on our Lady’s feast day makes me any more special than any other soul, but through the blessings, miracles, pains, and joys that I’ve experienced, she has shown all of the compassion, love, and protection that I’ve needed.
I can say this with a certainty that cannot be described in words. But I know her presence and intercession are always not just with me, but with all of us.
The Mother of God is the most revered saint for us Catholics. Her motherhood is the most beautiful example to all motherhood and to the world. She is humble, faithful, obedient, strong — an absolute perfect vessel who brought our Savior into this world. She perpetually remains the truest path to her Son.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. You are our Mother, our heavenly Mother who would never abandon us, even when we’ve behaved like spoiled and insolent children.
Ave Maria, gratia plena! Hail Mary, full of grace! You have shielded me from my waywardness. You have never let go of my ear as I ignorantly ran away from you like a petulant little boy. You have always led me back to our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.
You have protected me from evil, enveloping me in your protective and impenetrable mantle. You have crushed the head of the wily serpent who has tried to bite me again and again. You have defended and guarded me countless times. My poor choices, ignorance, vulnerability, and weakness have kept you busy, dear Mother, but I want to thank you ever so much.
You judge me not, and though He already knows, you remind your Son of the wretched souls like me whom He came to save through His life, death, and Resurrection. You tirelessly intercede on our behalf so that we may one day be in the full glory of your presence as well as that of God Himself and all of the angels and saints.
To deny you is to deny Jesus Himself. I cannot recall who exactly said it, but when they said that we could never love you more than your Son Jesus loves you, they were correct, but I will try to love you as much as I can for the rest of my days.
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae; vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve. Hail Holy Queen, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. You are the tabernacle of our Lord. You are the purest, most holy example of woman and motherhood. You are the new Eve who did not accept the invitation of the snake to bite the apple and defy God. You instead crushed his head not once, but every time he rears his horrid and iniquitous self.
Thank you Virgencita, which is Spanish for dearest Virgin. Thank you for being my heavenly Mother and for helping my earthly mother deliver me into this world on your special feast day. Thank you for St. Juan Diego, to whom you appeared on Tepeyac hill, and for leaving the beautiful tilma with your precious image on it to remind us all of your glory and your presence in our lives.
+ + +
(Rey Flores writes opinion pieces and book and movie reviews for The Wanderer. Contact Rey at reyfloresusa@gmail.com.)
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress