Devotion To Mary, The Mother Of God
On the first day of the New Year, the Catholic Church asks us to celebrate Mary the Mother of God. I believe that is because the Church recognizes the incredibly powerful role Mary plays as a mother to Christ and a mother to us. She was chosen from every woman throughout history to be the bearer of God to the world. She wasn’t chosen lightly or at random; God carefully selected her and prepared her from the moment of conception to be the perfect mother for his only Son.
If it seems like I write about Mary often, it is because my devotion and relationship with her have truly changed my life. She has led me to Christ every step of the way, and she has guided me to find God in every moment. Pope Benedict XVI said, “Mary’s greatness consists in the fact that she wants to magnify God, not herself.” She is the perfect example of how to let Christ shine through your life and how to lead others to him. And that is our goal as followers of Jesus, so it is always wise to imitate the one who did the most perfect job.
Here are some ways to begin a devotion to Mary or to deepen the relationship you already have with her.
Think of her as your mother. In Jesus’ final moments, he gave us Mary to be our own when he said to John, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27). His dying gift for all of humankind was for us to embrace the woman with whom he spent his entire life. Admire her for her strength and humility and seek to imitate her. Look to her as someone who wants to celebrate your every joy and comfort you in your moments of sadness. Saint Mother Teresa encourages us, “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.”
Talk to her every day. Our relationship with Mary is just that, a relationship. Think of her as your mother in heaven and one of your closest friends. In order to maintain that friendship and connection, you have to keep in contact with each other. "In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart,” Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Father and Doctor of the Church, tells us. “With her for a guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart.” It doesn’t always have to be a formal prayer; you can simply talk to her like you would one of your closest friends.
Find a devotion or an apparition that speaks to you. There are so many beautiful devotions and apparitions of Mary approved by the Church throughout the rich history of our faith, such as Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Our Lady Undoer of Knots. Find one that feels like a personal connection the more you learn about it. There are so many ways the Church has given us to honor and grow closer to her, including the Angelus, the Rosary, the Consecration to Jesus through Mary, and many more. Consider making a prayer to Mary an everyday habit and she will hold you in her arms until you take your last breath.
In 2018, I hope that you find your peace and your strength in Jesus Christ through the powerful love and guidance of Mary. She can truly change your life in every way, all you need to do is reach out to her and cherish her as a mother like Jesus did.
