Your conversion story is reminiscent of mine. I have such a deep love for our Blessed Mother now. Piggy-backing off Phillip’s comment, I lost my mom when I was 18. It was when I was attending HACS that I found out about JP II’s dad taking him to the statue of the Blessed Mother and telling him, “She’s your mother now.” JP II has been a true older brother showing me the way.
I was having dinner with a priest and we got on the topic of John Paul II’s strong mariology. The priest said, “Wojtyla lost his mother at a young age, 9 or so. In response, he clung to the other mother Christ gave him.”
This is a joy to read and reflect upon. Cradle Catholics and converts who have been Catholics for a long, long time need to hear from folks like you. It restores our joy in Mary and love for her!
Actually, it is the Holy Spirit within us that perfects our prayers (cf. Romans 8:28). Ultimately, we have to also present our own sinful faces to God in order to be saved regardless of who intercedes for us; and this includes the intercession of Christ, our heavenly High Priest, at the right hand of the Father (cf. Hebrews 7:24-27; 4:14-16; 10:19-23).
Your conversion story is reminiscent of mine. I have such a deep love for our Blessed Mother now. Piggy-backing off Phillip’s comment, I lost my mom when I was 18. It was when I was attending HACS that I found out about JP II’s dad taking him to the statue of the Blessed Mother and telling him, “She’s your mother now.” JP II has been a true older brother showing me the way.
That story made a big impression on me, as well!
I was having dinner with a priest and we got on the topic of John Paul II’s strong mariology. The priest said, “Wojtyla lost his mother at a young age, 9 or so. In response, he clung to the other mother Christ gave him.”
I enjoyed his biography immensely! He was not just a great Pope and warrior against communism, but he loved hiking and Sinatra - gotta love that!
This is a joy to read and reflect upon. Cradle Catholics and converts who have been Catholics for a long, long time need to hear from folks like you. It restores our joy in Mary and love for her!
Actually, it is the Holy Spirit within us that perfects our prayers (cf. Romans 8:28). Ultimately, we have to also present our own sinful faces to God in order to be saved regardless of who intercedes for us; and this includes the intercession of Christ, our heavenly High Priest, at the right hand of the Father (cf. Hebrews 7:24-27; 4:14-16; 10:19-23).