October is the month of Mary, the Mother of God. I have been blessed to have many “Mary’s” in my life over the years, whether they touched my life for a brief moment or an extended time, they impacted my life.

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee

My first memory of the Blessed Mother is a tiny plastic statue that my Grandmother Jennie often kept in her car. I can’t explain it, but I was captivated by this image of a peaceful woman with her hands held open in prayer.

My other Grandmother, Mary, was not your “typical” Grandma. She had fiery red hair, an outrageous dress code, drove a bright red Pontiac Firebird and had a great love of poodles. Life was never dull around her and she lived in a big way with a giant heart. When she passed away, I had already moved out of state and I was on the phone with another Mary when the call came in that she was gone. I had let my sister know about the Divine Mercy Chaplet Prayer and she would pray it with our mom often in the hospice room at my Grandmother’s side. I remember knowing when the other line rang what the news was going to be; my friend wanted to stay on the line, so I clicked over and heard the news that I already knew in my heart, my Grandma was gone. I looked at the clock and it said 4:00 pm. I went back to my friend Mary, and let her know the news while I wept. I then realized that the time in Colorado was the 3:00 pm hour, the great hour of Mercy. It was a beautiful moment.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus

I was blessed to have another Mary enter my life when I met my future husband, his mother. She was a hard worker with a strong work ethic, she had a love for books and movies like I do and she raised the man I would marry. She was a strong person with a caring heart. I remember that she didn’t hesitate to let us move in with her as our first house was being built. It took longer than expected, but she welcomed us with open arms. We had a lot of special moments that I am grateful for: making pizzelles, playing games, watching movies, or heading “up the hill” to the casinos.

I remember when Paul and I were getting married, we had three extra flower bouquets made, one for the Blessed Mother, one for my mother and one for my mother in law. It was a cherished moment during our wedding ceremony when we presented each bouquet of flowers to them, we had truly become one family united in love, with the aroma of the sweet fragrance of the flowers as a sign of this love.

Several year’s later, we would name our daughter, Mary Elizabeth, after both mother’s; sadly we would lose her before she was born. I will not forget that day, it was a bittersweet moment, because it was May 31st, the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, and while I felt great pain there was also a peace and comfort there.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

There are so many more “Mary” moments that I hold in the depths of my heart that I have not mentioned here; I also feel a gentle spirit that leads me by the hand to her Son Jesus, a mother that magnifies Jesus, not herself, a mother that watches over her children with loving care, a mother that doesn’t leave my side, a mother that comforts me with the peace of her Son, a mother that loves me with her whole heart, and it is a beautiful moment.

The Magnificat

The Prayer Of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. 
From this day all generations will call me blessed: 
the Almighty has done great things for me, 
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation. 
He has shown the strength of his arm, 
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, 
and has lifted up the lowly. 
He has filled the hungry with good things, 
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy, 
the promise he made to our fathers, 
to Abraham and his children forever. Lk 1: 46-55