By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D.
Our Blessed Mother. Our Lady. Virgin Most Faithful. Mama Mary. Beautiful Lady. Mother. Dearest Mother. Gentle Mother. Lady of this Place. Mother of mine.
Who is she to you? When you think about our Blessed Mother or speak to her, how do you address her? Is it Mama Mary? Mama Mary who scoops you up off the ground and holds you close as a mother does her child? Is it Our Lady, who epitomizes the internal and external beauty of soul that marks a true lady? Is it formal or informal? Personal or third person? How you speak of her and to her often reflects your relationship with her.
It’s an interesting question to ponder. Who is she to you? It changes, you know. For me? A myriad of titles and names come to mind. I naturally say Our Lady. Our Blessed Mother. Dear Mother. Dear Lady of this Place. Faithful Mother. All of these and more speak to my heart.
Dear Lady of this Place is an interesting one, isn’t it? I’m not sure where I first heard the phrase. I do recall there being a Carmelite connection to the phrase. This way of addressing Our Lady comes to mind often for me. It’s a request and invitation for her to become the Lady of “this” place – this place being my heart and whatever space I am occupying. When it becomes her place, there is certainty that she will ensure Jesus is welcome there. When it is her place, her spirit permeates the air. This means there is a spirit of receptivity, docility to His promptings, peace, haste to serve, warmth, graciousness, openness.
If you do not yet know our Lady well, she is waiting to hear from you. Talk to her. Entrust your heart to her. She will hold it with great care and guide you well. She will walk with you through the joys of life and the suffering. She who stood at the foot of the cross understands all that we could possibly endure in this life. Dearest Mother, we are your children. Look upon us with your favor, your loving gaze, and become the Lady of this place, our hearts!
