Have you ever wondered what is means to be a “Spiritual Mother”? About eight years ago in Providence, RI, as I prayed in Our Lady of Guadalupe Adoration Chapel, I heard Jesus’ gentle voice invite me to begin discerning Religious Life through the words, “how would you like to be a mother to those who have no mother?”. Up until this point in my life, my heart was set on getting married and having a big Catholic family, but this new invitation spoke to the depths of my heart. Little by little, Jesus revealed to me a deeper desire of my heart – to be a mother to those who are lost, those who are alone, those who feel abandoned.
In these past five months since making my first vows, I’ve seen over and over again how these words spoken by the Lord have been fulfilled. In becoming a spouse of Christ, I now have the biggest Catholic family, for all of Gods’ children are my own. In this past Christmas season alone, there have been countless moments where the Lord has invited me to embrace and live out my spiritual motherhood in new ways. (All names have been changed for confidentiality)
Victoria – Many homeless, refugees, neighbors and families stop by our convent for a cup of coffee, a sandwich, clothing, and most importantly, for someone to simply receive and spend time with them. As I opened the door to give a cup of coffee to Luis, one of our regulars, I was surprised to find Victoria waiting for me on the porch. As we made eye contact, she held up her hands and with a distressed look said, “I’m so cold”. It was the middle of December, with snow on the ground. My heart broke seeing her swollen bare hands. I placed my hands around hers and with a smile said, “Oh my, you are cold! You need some gloves”. After giving her gloves, a scarf, wool socks, more layers, a sandwich and two cups of coffee, she looked more peaceful and even had a smile on her face. With a prayer and hug, Victoria went on her way.
A mother makes sure her children are clothed.
David – It was a true New York experience bringing 18 of our inner-city youth group members to Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and to see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Praise God no one got lost on the Subway! Most of them had never been to the Cathedral before. David was in my small group of three middle school boys. It was so beautiful seeing his amazement walking through the skyscrapers. As we approached the cathedral, he gasped out loud, turned to me and asked, “Should I go in blindfolded for a big reveal?”. “Oh Yes! You definitely should!” David pulled his scarf over his face and asked me to guide him in. “Ok David we’re in! One, two… three!” Needless to say, he was amazed, and as we were leaving after Mass, he turned to me and said, “If I lived closer, I would be here every day!”.
A mother helps her children to live in childlike freedom.
Ishmael – It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Christmas Pageant! Every year we help run the Our Lady Queen of Angels Middle School Christmas Pageant. On day one, I helped the three kings to pick out and try on their costumes. They were so proud of their regal robes and crowns. Ishmaels’ costume even had a fancy cloth that draped over his head with a tube-like head piece which held it in place. Although they didn’t have a speaking role, they were very nervous. We practiced how to walk like a king and how to bow down to Jesus like a king. Right before the show, as I was off to the side practicing the music, Ishmael found me. With his two head pieces in hand, he asked, “Sister, can you help me?” After securing his costume and giving him a word on encouragement, he went off to join the other kings.
A mother guides her children to live in confidence and security.
And now here we are, January 2025, celebrating a new year, but also celebrating the feast day of Mary, Mother of God, which was celebrated on January 1st. As I look back at my own experiences of spiritual motherhood, I can’t help but see Our Lady in each of these three encounters:
Mary, our mother, makes sure that we are clothed with every virtue as she intercedes for us and helps us in our journey of becoming more and more like Jesus, her son.
Mary, our mother, helps us to live in childlike freedom as she constantly protects us from the snares and lies of the enemy, for it is she who crushes the head of Satan.
Mary, our mother, guides us to live in confidence and security, for it is she who perfectly knew her identity as a beloved daughter of the Father.
Maybe this is just me, but I am often discouraged at how my relationship with my mother Mary is often inconsistent and can gradually lose fervor. But Mary is a good mother, the best mother, and like any good mother, she has a special love and assistance towards her children who stray. Whether you’ve been close to Mary, far, or anywhere in-between, let us all run into her arms this new year, and remain there in her embrace – for it is there that we will be clothed in virtue, aided towards childlike freedom, and guided to a greater confidence in The Father.
Sr. Juan-Maria, CFR