As I watered my garden early the other morning, I noticed my neighbor “Kathy” strapping a timer-device on her wrist as she headed out for a power walk.
She’s been looking more slender and healthier the past few months and, as we waved “good morning” greetings, it occurred to me that is just one of a number of positive happenings next door since I began turning these neighbors over to Our Lady of Good Counsel, begging her prayers for them.
Although they are still a rough-around-the-edges family and continue to have the ability to drive me nuts, their life these past several months has included marriage and finding steadier work. The kids are bringing home friends who are less rambunctious. Kathy’s husband saved the life of another neighbor who got himself pinned between a rolling truck and a parked car a few weeks ago. And I overheard one of their visitors enthusiastically witnessing to them about Jesus one evening.
None of those are small matters. Mary’s good counsel is making a great difference on the other side of my backyard fence.
Over time, a number of Mary’s titles have become attached to particular people in my prayers. Our Lady of Sorrows is helping a faraway acquaintance who needs strong help with her deep dilemmas. Mother of God is helping a particular mom I know. Queen of the Angels knows all about Robert’s needs, and Queen of Peace has been helping a hyperactive young person.
My mom has long relied on Our Lady of Perpetual Help, so I call upon her for my mom. I recommend a Native-American family to Our Lady of Guadalupe and my Carmelite friends to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Star of the Sea is perfect for one wandering soul and Mary, Help of Christians gets to watch over my Protestant cousins.
Some of the titles I use might not be official. I figure that Mary is Mother of All Priests and Mother of All Children, although I haven’t seen those written anywhere. I ask her to pray “with St. Joseph” for a certain dad.
The Memorare is one prayer that we can pray before calling upon Mary under her various titles: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
So, why might we choose to go to Mary first instead of directly to Jesus when we pray for others?
Catholics in every century have discovered that Mary is wonderfully helpful. She can point us to Jesus and can take us by the hand and lead us to him. God often works through flawed human beings to accomplish His will. Even more so, He can work through Mary, His most perfect disciple.
By calling on Mary, it’s not just us praying by ourselves. Gathering two or more to pray in petition for others is easier said than done when our opportunities for prayer are after we go to bed and before we get up. Mary (and the other saints) can be called upon day and night to join in our prayers for others.
Long after we are bogged down in weariness, Mary continues to help those we commend to her care. Most of the saints say that she assisted them in their struggles, and they often relied on her motherly care for their friends and families as they focused their attention on their work.
Finally, if our prayers are misguided, Mary can help us refocus our intentions so that they will be pleasing to God. She can teach us about prayer even as she prays with us.
“Whenever I ask a favor from the Blessed Virgin, I receive immediate help,” said St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower. Jesus’ ear is attuned to his mother’s voice as much now as at the time of his first miracle at the wedding at Cana. Ask his mother to pray for you and for others.
Queen of Heaven, Morning Star, Mother of Mercy, pray for us!