In this testimonial, I would like to share with you, my brothers and sisters, my thoughts and reflections about our Blessed Lady as Mary, Our Mother.
Recall the scene in John’s Gospel 19:23-27 when John is at the foot of the cross and Jesus speaks to his beloved disciple and his own Mother. It is the most moving scene when Jesus entrusted the beloved disciple and His mother to each other. Jesus says to John, “Behold your Mother”. It is at this time that Mary becomes our mother as well.
MOTHERHOOD
When we reflect on this special privileged state of life, do we not primarily focus on our mothers? They are or were always ready to receive us when we went to them for protection, for advice, for sympathy when hurt or injured. They are or were for us special people because they embodied love, compassion, forgiveness and strength. They are or were self-sacrificing, caring, only looking out for our good or others, but not their own. These attributes I want you to remember because these are the attributes of our heavenly Mother as well when she speaks to her children in her messages given at Fatima, Lourdes, and Medjugorie.
To understand the importance and significance of Motherhood, look at a child who wants its mother. It will continue sobbing until she returns. Even if you were to give it a sweet or a present of some kind, it would probably throw it discard it – nothing will satisfy the child except the comforting presence of its mother. And so I remind you that we must become like a child if you and I are truly to come to know and to love our Mother Mary. Archbishop Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan leaves us with this thought: “For the love of Mary is like a cool breeze or a drop of morning dew. It brings refreshment and strength to the restless soul yearning for peace.”
As I prepared for this presentation, I thought it would be helpful if I shared with you my own personal journey of faith in Mary our Mother. I have divided this presentation in 3 phases. In this first phase I will share my early years (pre-teen) when my devotion to Mary developed. In subsequent presentations I will reflect on Mary as advocate and as mother who will intercede for us “at the hour of death.”
PHASE 1. HOW MY DEVOTION TO MARY DEVELOPED
As a child I grew up in East Harlem, New York City. “The centerpiece of the history of East Harlem was the sanctuary that housed the statue of Our Lady adorned with jewels and precious stones with the child Jesus in her arm. It is better known as the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Italian immigrants explicitly identified this sacred place as La Casa Della Nostra Mama (“The house of Our Mother”) and La Madonna was called by the familiar and childlike phrase “Nostra Mama.”
In his book, “The Madonna of 115th Street: Faith and Community in Italian Harlem 1880-1950, Robert Orsi provided this insight:
THE MADONNA OF 115TH STREET SHARED THE HISTORY OF ITALIAN HARLEM. SHE JOURNEYED TO THE NEW WORLD WITH THE IMMIGRANTS AND LIVED AMONG THEM IN THEIR NEIGHBOHOOD.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel was my home parish. As an altar server I knelt before the beautiful image of La Madonna each morning before school and confidently brought my needs and concerns to her.
Attached to the church was Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School where I learned English, History, Geography, Civics, Math and Science. More importantly I learned how to pray, how to give selflessly and howto love the Lord who gave us all good things. My devotion of our Lady as Queen of Peace became more intense.
My faith and devotion to our Lady grew stronger through the witness given to me by my parents and by those who faithfully journeyed to the sanctuary in bare feet and on their knees. They came begging Our Lady to intercede to her Son for them. They were for me an example of faith and trust in the Lord.
I encourage all those who may not have visited this beautiful shrine/church dedicated to La Madonna on 115th Street to go on pilgrimage for Sunday Mass. As you enter the sanctuary look up and notice La Madonna in her throne above the main altar and above her head the beautiful mural of Christ the King. Settle in a pew and peacefully focus your mind and heart on the Lord and His Mother. Prayerfully with confidence of a child, bring your cares and concerns to your Mother Mary. Believe whole-heartedly that she will provide the graces needed to help cope with your life’s situation, be it health, unemployment, family tension or an unhappy relationship.
There were many fond memories that enriched my spiritual and prayer life as a pre-teen. They will never be forgotten for they are engraved on my heart.
How has your culture, the religious milieu that you grew up in, contributed to your early religious development? Was your religious development and love of God and Mary due to your parents, or affiliations with the parish priest or religious? Be in contact with this period of your life because it has served as a foundation for your religious growth and development.
(Deacon Anthony P. Cassaneto, Ph.D., a noted writer and teacher, is currently serving as a deacon at St. Lawrence Parish in Shelton and is former director of the diaconate office of the Diocese of Bridgeport.)
