Often heard echoing through our home when the children were little: “Mom, where’s…,” “Mom, how do I…,” and, “Mom, can you explain…”
My time in prayer, accompanied by the Blessed Mother, is—I must admit—my grown-up version of “Mom, I need help with...” Mary is ever-present to me as I seek her motherly guidance while I try to find my way closer to Jesus. Or when I need her help in those times that I am unsure what prayer should look like or what I should say, especially in the midst of a storm or a spiritual drought. For me, prayer is attending the “School of Mary,” as Pope Saint John Paul II taught, so that she may “homeschool me,” while I meditate upon the mysteries of the Rosary. With each recitation of the prayers and contemplation of the mysteries, Jesus’ life unfolds before me, drawing my attention further out from myself and upward, closer to him.
On my mother’s hope chest once stood an 18-inch pristine porcelain image of Our Lady—gold halo, powder-blue garment, pure-white veil, and an angelic face with impeccable features. Enamored by her beauty, in my childhood innocence (and ignorance of the faith), I thought she was so great and close to God that I could never be anything like her. I was convinced she had nothing to teach me, a mom living 20 centuries after she had. She was distant and untouchable (literally), and she appeared so sheltered by what I thought I knew of her Nazarene upbringing. She’d surely never understand the modern-day struggles I was facing, even at that young age. Experience certainly has proven how far off the mark those initial observations were!
The two liturgical celebrations in August that honor the Blessed Mother both provide a unique peek behind that porcelain veneer that Mary is often surrounded with. Together they show how near and powerfully caring Mary is toward us in those moments in our own lives that can sometimes feel lonely or hard.
First, on August 15, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is an ancient memorial of the Mother of God. For us moms who carry our families in our hearts with all their struggles and sometimes wandering from God, this feast celebrates both that Mary “is the highest fruit of the redemption” as well as a “pledge of the future participation of the members of the mystical Body of Christ in the paschal glory of the Risen Christ.” That’s our families.... Mary is shown to us as a consoling assurance “of the coming of our final hope,” that where Christ has led into glory we too one day shall follow. As we celebrate Mary’s Assumption, we contemplate the fidelity of the Lord’s promise to his mother “because of her faithful cooperation with the divine plan” (see Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines, no. 180).
The Assumption of Mary is a sign of hope. It gives us the courage to believe that heaven is real and that Mary’s care for her children is real. That all who live united to Christ, especially in the Eucharist, will one day participate in Christ’s paschal glory.
Then, on August 22, the Church once again honors Our Lady by celebrating the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This liturgical celebration comes eight days after the Assumption, and it reflects the completion of Mary’s journey of faith and her closeness to Christ her Son. Crowned as queen, she shares in her Son’s victory, and she leads hearts toward Christ’s kingdom of peace and love.
At the Hour of Our Death
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.”
Both of these August Marian celebrations make us think of the end of life. The inevitable reality of the hour of death—even for the bravest or someone with a strong faith—can feel intimidating, even a little frightening. We all think, at least occasionally, about our final days on this earth when we will prepare to meet the Lord. Saint Paul talked about it this way: “The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Tm 4:6-8).
We might wonder, though, if there is a crown reserved for us in the next life. Mary’s Assumption into heaven and Coronation should fill our hearts with consolation and great hope for ourselves and those we love. Mary is our great intercessor, our mother, who leads us home where she assures us there is a crown awaiting us after we fulfill the work God asks of us.
Fear of the unknown and uncertainty about what is to come do not apply only to ourselves but to those we care about as well. When we have loved ones away from the Shepherd’s fold, concern for them can be profound. Like many, I’ve sat at the bedside of a dying family member who lived their earthly life detached from the faith. Some have walked away from Jesus, the Church, the Eucharist, or the Blessed Mother’s loving guidance. Others never even began the journey, either expressing staunch disbelief or professing never to have seen a necessity for the spiritual.
One truth we can never lose sight of and which these Marian feasts remind us of: God wants everyone in heaven with him forever. He wants this for you and just as much for those you love who are away from the faith. Remarkably, he wants this even more than you do! If you can imagine that.
Each time I have approached the accompaniment of the dying with prayer, especially through the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, the miraculous has happened. In every single instance. Every time, without fail, the dying person has allowed a priest to come, not only to visit and pray with them, but to open their heart to receive the sacramentum exeuntium (the sacrament of those departing) (CCC 1523). Every single time! This was not only an obvious blessing to the one passing from this life, but it also produces a powerful ripple effect as a witness to the entire family. As well as a peace “which surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:6-7).
Never give up hope, especially in the mercy of God and the efficacious grace present in the Eucharist. In fact, the Mass is the greatest prayer and offering we can make on their behalf. “Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective” (CCC 958).
Mary, our mother, we turn to you. Intercede for our loved ones now, at the hour of death, and in eternity. Amen.
Allison Gingras, Director of Digital Evangelization for Holy Cross Family Ministries, is a national speaker and an author for Our Sunday Visitor and Ave Maria Press.
Image credit: Paolo Sbalzer via pexels.com
