Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Luke 1:28
Many have wondered, many have questioned and many have denied the power of prayer. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, as the angel Gabriel appeared to Mother Mary to announce she would bear the son of God he said these words to Mary. One great wonder I had as a child up until my adulthood, was the mysteries of the Rosary. As a child I watched my Nonna, praying and sliding the Rosary beads through her fingers. Filled with curiosity on its meaning and power, it was something that at times was alive but then became dormant. I prayed but my heart still yearned. Until the time when another turn in my life came to pass. When my mother passed away, something deep within me changed. It was as if a part of me was missing in which all the tears would not change the fact, she was gone. I was blessed to have such a close relationship with her all my life. We were very similar. Although, that time in my life was so profoundly sad, it was that time in my life that changed me the most. It was then that my life took a turn towards my faith in a new way. It was a turning point, God had prepared me for but I had no idea to where I was headed. God guided me to deeper prayer. Then the mysteries and love in the prayers of the Rosary began to shape my heart. Like any journey I was led to desert to experience purity, I greatly needed, in so that God could fill me with His wants for me, not the ones I thought were better for me.
My relationship with God and Mary began to change. Prayer became more powerful. Prayer became more meaningful. My tears turned to pure love for God and Mary. I had lost my worldly mother and father but gained new love of God the father to all and Mary the mother to all. That’s when I began to understand the meaning of His grace. I had not lost love, I had gained more than I ever had. The moments of grace began to flow in my life. As my journey continued the thrust pulling me close to Mary continued. Things began to happen more frequently, drawing me closer to the love of Mary. Hesitant at first, I attended faith retreat weekend. At this particular retreat the tables and seating were chosen for each of us participants. As I waited for my name to be called, I wondered where God would place me. The tables were marked and assigned a picture and name of a saint or holy person. As I approached my table I had been chosen to spend the weekend at the table of Mother Mary. I kept silent but God knew my thoughts. I felt God’s presence in a powerful way. I felt God speaking to my heart. I felt God calling me to love Him and Mother Mary in His way. A new way. Deeper than I ever really knew.
Life kept unfolding and a few months later, I was asked to lead a prayer service for Mother Mary. It was my first time I had every led a service as this one. I wanted to shy away from it but instead in my nervousness, I forged ahead. At the service I felt God’s presence in such an amazing and powerful way and can only hope it had touched the lives of others. I began to pray the Rosary more frequently, alone at home. Scripture whispered to me, ‘when two or more are gathered in His name’. Shortly after, I began to join in morning prayer with women and men, at my church. Taking time to go to church and pray before work wasn’t something I planned, it just happened. I knew that is where God was guiding me, so I did. My heart began to change yet again. After Rosary, I’d get to work everything and everyone seemed different. Things that may have once bothered me, no longer had any hold on me. It mattered little of the chatter or happenings around me but greater the love I wanted to share. I changed. Things changed around me. Situations that seemed hopeless began to flourish, in beautiful ways. My heart began to fill with a new joy. It became filled with new love for people around me. My selfishness became works of charity towards my neighbour. My heart and mind was opening in new ways. I cared less about worldly beliefs and more about divinity and holiness. Still today I am in utter awe of the power of God and the intercession and love of Mary.
My journey, as yours, continues every moment. The details of my journey can never be encapsulated in this brief writing but it is a journey of great love. As a women of faith it has opened my eyes. I have been given a gift, one I feel compelled to share with you, so that you may share in the beauty of life. So that you may share in the joy of each moment. Mother Mary gently took my hand and guided me right to her son, Jesus. Everyday, in my weakness and in my immense strength I journey on. You may think you know Jesus, in my humble opinion, you can never know Jesus if you do not know his mother. Mary is our mother and model of love and virtue that God wants for us. Mary points us to her son, Jesus. Hail Mary! Full of grace the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Peace to you,
Claudia
Our Nourished Soul