REAL-LIFE STORIES OF MARY'S LOVE

I thank Mother Mary for getting me a job.

Thank you Jesus, praise you Jesus, and continue to bless my family.

~ Mayega

The Accident

I don’t remember much, but I do remember reaching in the back seat of the car and getting my miraculous medal. I don’t know how I did it with all of my broken bones, but I know that I held onto that medal as I was wheeled into the emergency room at Seattle’s Providence Hospital. And I remember praying to the Blessed Mother to save my friend Denise and me.

I also remember a nurse coming into my room a few days later and handing me my medal. “I found this in the emergency room and one of the nurses said that she saw it in your hand when you arrived here on Sunday." She smiled as she placed the miraculous medal in my hand.

I held it in there and prayed and thanked Mary for sparing my life. And I promised that I would do whatever I could to serve and spread the message about the medal. That was many years ago. Denise and I still talk about how truly blessed we are to have survived such a horrific accident, even after being given the last rites. Denise never really talks about her years of therapy, and I know that she has learned to accept the fact that one of her legs had to be amputated. She is an amazing person and friend, and Denise too has dedicated her life to spreading the word and the goodness of Mary, the Blessed Mother.

~ Caroline

The Whisper

 It was at what I thought was the height of my spiritual life that I realized the goodness of Mary. I had been a seamstress for the statue of Our Blessed Mother at St. Francis of Assisi for about four years when my friend encouraged me to run for the elective position of sacristan. The primary duty of the sacristan is to take care of the sacristy, the room in the church that houses the sacred vessels and vestments. In addition, I would be responsible for sewing clothing for Our Lady. Of course, I did not think I was worthy, but my friend would not give up. To my amazement, I ran and I won.

The next five years were wonderful. I devoted many hours to my job as sacristan and loved every minute of it. At no time did I feel closer to Mary than those five years. I never had visions, but I always felt her presence. It was a quiet and peaceful presence, almost like a constant reminder that I was in good hands, like someone was always watching over me.

Then my mother got sick. She was told she had terminal cancer and would not live more than six months. I was devastated. I kicked and cried and begged God for his mercy. I asked Mary to intervene and to take care of my mother. And I waited for the cure.

But the cure didn’t come. So I sewed and sewed and sewed. My mother’s favorite color was lilac, so I made her a new lilac dress. I made the Blessed Mother an identical dress as an offering with hopes that perhaps she would hear my prayers and cure my mother.

But my mother got weaker. I got the call at about 2 p.m. I was needed right away at the hospital. My mother wanted me to bring the lilac dress for her. In the meantime, I called my assistant, Amanda, and told her that she would be in charge of the sacristy and of dressing the Blessed Mother. "Choose whatever clothing you want, I trust your judgment," I told Amanda. "My mother is very ill and I don’t know when I’ll return." Somehow, I knew that my mother’s days were numbered. And somehow I couldn’t help but feel betrayed. Had Mary not heard my prayers? Hadn’t I been her dutiful servant for all of these years? As I walked into her hospital room, something felt strange. Mother’s face was ashen but her smile was unusually radiant. My mother had always been known for her wide smile and beautiful teeth. She had a way of brightening up a room, and today she had filled it with sunshine.

She meekly asked the nurses and doctor to leave, and she gestured for me to come closer to her bed. It was only a whisper but I knew right away.

She came to me last night. Blessed Mother came to me last night. She told me everything was in place. She told me to wear my lilac dress. She told me it was time.

A tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled at me again, trying to assure me that it would be O.K. She took my hand and looked at me. “Mary,” she said. “Please don’t be sad. I am ready. And you will be too when it is your time. The secret is that she prepares us all as she has prepared me.” My mother looked at me, squeezed my hand, closed her eyes, and whispered, “I love you, Mary.” And then she drifted off to sleep.

The next day as I went into the church to discuss my mother’s funeral mass with Father John, I was struck by an incredible sight. Amanda had dressed the Blessed Mother in her lilac dress. How could she have known? I specifically had told her to make her own choices.

I knew then that Mother Mary had not deserted me. It was only a whisper, but she had answered my prayers. She had taken care of my mother after all.

~ Mary

Mary's Touch is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing Our Blessed Mother’s “YES.” Our work includes the production and broadcasting of Mary’s Touch, an inspirational radio program designed to bring a greater understanding of Mary, to remind us of Our Blessed Mother’s loving presence in our lives, and to help us recognize the healing grace she still brings to this world. Mary’s Touch outreach programs are dedicated to promoting life-giving ministries.

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The stories appearing on this page are excerpts from The Healing Touch of Mary and Honoring Mary, The Mother of God. Copyright © 2005 and 2007 by Cheri Lomonte. All rights reserved

The stories and images appearing on this page may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,

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Cheri Lomonte at P.O. Box 341991, Austin, TX, 78734.

 Copyright © 2007 Mary's Touch. All rights reserved.