Saint of the Month: St. Mary
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is the Feast Day of Jesus’ mother, blessed Mary on January 1. Only a young girl when an angel approached her with the biggest request of her life, she said yes, to God, and yes to motherhood. Unsure of what her future would be, she was able to trust that God would show her the way. God didn’t say it would be easy, but He provided her with the love, support, wisdom, and faith she would need to be the mother of Christ. What it must have been like giving birth in a stable with animals and no comfort, and then to flee because her son was in danger. Her motherhood was filled with a mix of joy and suffering for her son, yet she was able to endure it all. Mary’s song, the Magnificat, is Mary’s praise and thanksgiving to God:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
The mothers of Good Shepherd are also saints. Just like Mary, they said yes to motherhood, and all the challenges, sacrifices, and joys that come with it. There are so many amazing faith-filled mothers here at Good Shepherd that we would need a book to mention them all, but know you are seen and appreciated for who you are. Mary can relate to all mothers: She knows what it feels like to lose a child, she may have felt like an adoptive mother because Jesus was God’s son, and she his earthly mother. She may have filled the role of grandmother, the most fun mother of all! We look to Mother Mary as a great example of what it means to trust completely in God’s plan for us. Being a mother is a very special way to serve God, and we thank Mary and thank God for the blessing of motherhood.