Growing up in a devoted catholic family in India, I was blessed to have the love and guidance of the Holy Mother and Infant Jesus throughout my Life. Whenever I was feeling lost or confused about Life, my Mom would tell me stories about the Holy Mother and encourage me to talk with Her in prayer. I learned that no matter what difficulties I faced, the Holy Mother was always there for me like a loving mother, ready to help guide me through any situation. She reminded me that her love is unwavering and unconditional – just like a mother’s love towards her child. Though I was always devoted to the Holy Mother, Infant Jesus and St. Joseph as far as I can remember due to the influence of my elders at home, my personal faith journey with the Holy Mother started when I was seven years old.
I studied in a Catholic school in the neighbourhood of Mundamveli, Kerala, India, where our native language, Malayalam, was the medium of instruction. However, as my parents had just a primary school education, I had no one to guide or help me in my studies during those early years of my education.
Most of my neighbouring friends had similar circumstances; their parents were daily labourers, living on meagre wages and having only primary education. However, there were a few exceptions in the neighbourhood. Some mothers in our area had a better educational background than my Mother, and they took it upon themselves to teach their children after school hours. Whenever I saw these moms teaching my friends after school hours, I felt a twinge of sadness inside me. Despite my eagerness to learn, no one was there to help me at home with my studies or provide guidance on my school assignments. All I could do was work hard on my own and try to make something out of myself.
One day, when I returned home from school, I asked my Mother to help me learn like other moms who support their children in their studies. She was taken aback at first, but then she told me something that has stayed etched in my memory ever since:
“My child, I do not know how to teach you, so pray to the Holy Mother for help with Your studies. She would guide you in your studies as she had done in the lives of many saints.”
Once she completed these words, I saw my Mom crying with heavy tears rollings down her cheek. I hugged her and consoled her, saying,
“I shall ask the Holy Mother for help; you don’t worry.”
Though I tried to calm my mom, as a seven-year-old kid, I was unsure how I could ever accomplish my dream of learning.
Then I remembered my Grandfather’s advice that,
“Infant Jesus is your best Friend, and you can share all your desires and dreams with him and his beloved Holy Mother.”
Without any delay, I took my grandmother’s broken Rosary from the prayer stand at home and rushed to the nearest Chapel in our neighbourhood.
Though I used to visit the Chapel every evening, on that particular day, however, I had a special purpose in mind. Kneeling before the portrait of the Holy Mother, tears fell down my cheek as I pleaded for her divine assistance. The heartfelt plea that rang out from within me was simple:
“Amma ( meaning Mom), I want to learn. Can you please teach me”
I knew that my family didn’t have the resources for me to pursue higher education, so all I could do as a helpless sever-year old was to pray to my best friend, Infant Jesus and Her Blessed Mother for help. Upon returning home from the Chapel, I started studying, keeping the Holy Rosary in hand as if I were holding my Mother’s hands to guide me in my studies.
That evening marked the beginning of my life journey alongside the Holy Mother. The love and grace of the Holy Mother have been an integral part of my journey ever since. She has been my guide and protector, bestowing her blessings on me when I needed it the most. The Holy Mother has been my faith companion and a true mother figure in my Life. Her presence has reminded me to stay strong and resilient in the face of hardships, guided me through difficult times, and provided me with a comforting embrace during moments of loneliness or despair.