Devotion

My dad always tells me to honour Mama Mary. He always told me that I owe my life to her.

Yesterday was Mother’s day. Sadly, I never got to spend it with my own mom because she was at work all day and I had a lot of studying to do. I went to 9PM mass at St. Ignatius last night and after the mass had finished, I stopped by to say Happy Mother’s Day to Mama Mary. For some reason I remembered my National MV interview from a couple weeks back. One of the questions that really hit me was “Do you have any devotions?” and truthfully, I don’t. But I should.

In that short moment, I realized that I don’t honour Mama Mary enough.

When my mom was in her teens, she developed some form of cancer in her reproductive tract. After surgery and treatment, the doctors had informed her that she would not bear any children.

My dad’s dreams were to raise a family, but his love for my mom was (and is still) so great. He knew about the fact that my mom would not be able to become pregnant or have children, but he loved her anyway. My mom went to Canada before my dad, and he still waited for her to come back. Once my parents got engaged, my dad went to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Baclaran every Wednesday for 10+ weeks.

He asked Mama Mary to grant him the opportunity to raise a family. He asked that he have at least one child, preferably a boy. He promised that if the opportunity came and he were to have a child, he would give this child to The Lord. He promised that if he were to have a child, he would want this child to serve God.

“Panginoon, bigyan niyo po kami ng anak. Kapag nagkaroon kami ng anak, ibabalik ko po siya sa inyo.” – Papa Delos Reyes

When my mom finally came back to the Philippines to get married, she was only there for about 2 weeks. Marriage prep, wedding, honeymoon, then back to Canada without my dad. God is so gracious and Mama Mary’s intercession truly works wonders because my mom came back to Canada pregnant with me, despite the doctors saying that she wouldn’t be able to conceive! Ten months later, my dad arrived on Canadian soil and held me for the first time. He said it was the best moment of his life.

Even though I’m an only child, I am so blessed to be serving in this community with my brothers and sisters in Christ. My dad had asked for me, but he promised to give me to The Lord. Here I am today, a CFC Youth For Christ falling deeper in love with God, learning to serve Him with my all. I am only His.

Mama Mary, thank you for always interceding for me. I owe you my life, and so let me appreciate you more with every day. Your heart is so beautiful. Please pray that our God lets my heart be as faithful and ethereal as yours. I ultimately pray that I learn to be more like your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I love you Mama!