Saints & Marian Devotions
“If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady. Just say this simple prayer:' ‘Mary, mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit: This prayer has never failed me.”
St. Mother Teresa
As we continue our series on saints and their Marian devotions, we turn our attention to St. Mother Teresa. I have written about her before, and I must say she is one saint we can never tire of discussing. To me, she is a woman overflowing with compassion, someone who truly epitomizes love in action in our time. Her deep devotion and tender love for Mama Mary formed the foundation of her spiritual life and were instrumental in inspiring and shaping the founding and mission of her religious order.
“No Mary, no Jesus.”
As simple as that may sound, it is profoundly true. Where would we be without the unwavering faith of Mary and her courageous, resounding yes to God’s call? When was the last time you said yes to God? I know my yes happened at the crypt of St. Francis on an Easter Sunday in Assisi. That was the day I realized I was meant to be a Franciscan. When Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, she did more than say yes to God; she placed her sister’s under the patronage of Mama Mary, the Immaculate Heart. If you want to be close to the Son, stay with His mother. She wanted her sisters to mirror Mary’s haste in helping others. Beautiful, isn’t it?
“Lend me your heart.”
She often prayed this request of Mary. I mean, who doesn’t want a heart like, mama Mary. what a wonderful request and to be honest not one I would have thought of myself. She so wanted to serve the poor with everything she had that by asking for Mary’s heart she could love Jesus with the intensity and purity and most of all humility of His mother. That outward sign was not for her sake but for those whom she and her sisters served, the poor. Her constant call for Mama Mary’s intercession was part of her everyday. Confident the prayer would be answered. Her "emergency novena," which consisted of praying the Memorare ten times in a row; nine for the petition and a tenth in thanksgiving, she has often stated it has never failed her.
Every year I renew my consecration to my Mama Mary. It is a daily reminder that, like Mother Teresa, we honor the profound importance of this gentle and holy Mother, and that if we stay close to her, she will lead us ever closer to her Son. Mother Teresa faithfully kept her bond with the Blessed Mother as a true covenant, a constant source of guidance and consolation in her life of service.
Don’t forget to call on your spiritual mother!
To pray Mother Teresa’s “emergency novena,” click on the photo below.
What is your favorite Marian prayer?
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your spiritual journey! Keep at it! Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.Fran Acosta,OFS
