How important is a devotion to the Blessed Mother?

From a very young age, Catholics all over the globe are educated about the importance of prayer and growing close to Jesus. One way in which we come to a more profound understanding of the person of Jesus Christ and our personal vocation is through the Blessed Mother Mary.

Before understanding the importance of a devotion to Mary, it’s important to recognize where this practice comes from. The Gospel of John reads, “When Jesus had seen His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing there, He said to His mother: ‘Woman, behold thy son.’ And He said to the disciple: ‘Behold your mother.’ And from that hour, the disciple took her into his home” (John 19:26-27).

When Jesus utters these words while he’s hanging on the cross, he gave his mother to John and in turn Mary became the mother of all the living. It is from this moment on that the Catholic Church esteems Mary with great respect and admiration because she is our mother. The Gospel of John instills another precedent for the love and respect we should have for the Virgin Mary during the wedding at Cana. As the gospel relates, the wedding party runs out of wine, and “…the mother of Jesus said to Him: ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her: ‘Woman, what is that to me and to you? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the waiters: ‘Do whatever He tells you’” (John 2:3-5). Listening to his mother’s request, Jesus turns six large water pots into wine. This passage shows the amount of respect Jesus has for his mother and how he listens to her requests.

The Blessed Mother wishes to lead us to her Son. As all great mothers do, Mary loves each of us, her children, no matter what. We are human, and with our humanity comes a sinful nature. Mary recognizes this from heaven above and knows that each of us needs help in living a virtuous life. She recognizes the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus and wishes to take us by the hand to his throne.

Because of the great love Our Lady has for us, she wants what is best for us, which is a true authentic relationship with God. With this in mind, there is no contradiction between having a profound devotion to the Blessed Mother and a relationship with Jesus Christ because they have the same ends, namely, holiness and sanctity of life.

Critics may question, however, “Why go to the Blessed Mother when I can just pray directly to Jesus?” The truth is, that when we go to the Blessed Mother, we go to Jesus with assistance. It would be similar to asking for prayers from friends and family when a loved one is sick. The only difference is, instead of asking your friends to offer prayers, you are placing each of those intentions in the hands of the Blessed Mother who then in turn offers them to her Son, pleading on our behalf.

Let us allow Mary to lead us through every walk and challenge of life and thus allowing ourselves to be transformed, with the help of the Blessed Mother, into the saints we are all called to be. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!