Great Devotion, Great Mother

One of my favorite statues of Jesus and Mary

I’ve always felt a little intimidated when someone tells me they have a “great devotion to Mary.”

Questions form in my mind. What exactly does a great devotion look like? How do people speak about it so confidently—how do they know their devotion is great? Every good Catholic has a special devotion to Mary, the Mother of God-- right? The comparison monster creeps up and causes me to examine my own relationship with Mary. Do I have a great devotion to Mary?

Truthfully? I don’t know.

But I do know that she heard my prayers and sat on the edge of my bed as I cried alone at night in my apartment, grieving a world turned upside down by loss and brokenness.

That she held my hand as I held my Rosary on the plane while turbulence from the storms threatened to take us off course.

That her statue sits on my nightstand by a picture of me and my boyfriend as I ask her to protect and guide our relationship and our search for guidance, discernment, and what it means to love.

That she smiles as this daughter looks with admiration on her Mother’s humility, courage, strength, thoughtfulness, generosity, trust, and authentic femininity.  

That she teaches me and leads me to be the same, one day at a time, with grace from her Son poured through her beautiful hands.

That she takes my hand and leads me closer and closer to her Son by her prayers and by her example.

Am I doing this devotion thing right?

Truthfully? I don’t know.

I do know that I want to be like her and that I love her. I’m not sure if that makes a great devotion. I’m still working on that.

But in the meantime…what a great Mother.