Put your hand in Mary’s hand
One day I was sitting in our church and I looked at the beautiful statue of Mary on the left side of the sanctuary. This brief moment of prayer evoked many memories related to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I was fascinated to see and realize how she has walked with me through all my life.
She was there when my childhood experience of faith was developing. In my home parish in Torun, Poland there is an icon of Our Lady and a novena is celebrated every Wednesday. As a young altar server, I remember those long hours (well at least it seemed like “hours”) kneeling in front of the icon during the reading of the intercessions. As I walked to my high school everyday, I made an effort to drop in to the church located just next to my school to say a short prayer; I’m not sure if that was out of devotion or rather as a security blanket for the classes ahead. Since it was a Redemptorist church the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was in the centre.
Devotion to Mary plays a significant role in the life of most Polish people, and I recall that I celebrated my first Mass on June 27th, the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I never thought at that moment that one day I would be asked to be rector of a Basilica whose patron would be none other then Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Coincidence…. I don’t think so! There is no doubt that Mary has been present in my life from the beginning.
The image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help has a very unique expression. Mary’s gaze is fixed on us, but her arms hold Jesus. Mary never intended to be at the center of our faith; she always leads us to Jesus. Jesus isn’t looking at us, or at Mary, or at the angels. Though he clings to his mother, he is looking away, at something we can’t see – something that made him run so fast to his mother that one of his sandals has almost fallen off, something that makes him cling to her for protection and love.
So here then is the question: Why is Mary looking so intently at us instead of at her child in need? Her gaze brings us into the story, makes us part of the scene. Her gaze tells us that just as Jesus ran to his mother and found refuge, so we too may run to Mary. Her hand does not clasp the hands of her frightened son in a protective grip, but remains open, inviting us to put our hands in hers and join with Jesus.
During my moment of prayer, I went close to the statue and put my hand into Mary’s open hand. It is such a comforting feeling when you know that Mother is taking care of you. She is here for us, she is here with us, and she is always ready to comfort us in her caring arms. Put your hand in Mary’s hand!
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