If you are a mother, then you will understand the idea of unconditional love; of love that begets love and love that doesn’t end.

If you are a mother, then you understand the infinite depths of mercy and the offering of forgiveness.

If you are a mother, then you know about strength. You know about perseverance. You know about hope.

And, if you are a mother, you understand joy. You understand blessings. You understand the sacredness of life.

As Catholic mothers, it is not only that we have given these things, have known these things, and understand these things; for all of this has also been given to us through the grace of the holy Sacraments, by our loving Father in heaven!

The Sacraments are a Catholic mother’s lifeline.  They are gifts that stand waiting to be received.  They are gifts, much like our love for our children; that never stop giving.  God, in His goodness, kindness, and compassion, has blessed us with a Sacrament for every aspect of our vocation so as to fill us with His grace and blessing as we strive to live out our days seeking and doing His holy will.

Just as we loved our children from the moment we knew of their existence; and in that moment would have given our very life for them. So too, did God our Father accept us as His own the moment we were baptized and He too was willing (and did) give His very life for ours.

In Confirmation, we receive the fullness of His Spirit which guides as and empowers us as we raise up our own to know, love, and serve Him well.

Through the gift of the Holy Eucharist, our Lord and Savior gives us eternal life. He comes to abide in us so that we mothers are strengthened, renewed, and made whole. When we nourish our children, we are feeding them with His word, His love, His grace, and His sacred Body and Blood, for it is He who feeds us and strengthens us in this Blessed Sacrament; so that we, in turn, may "feed His sheep".

And in the darkness of the times that we fall, the times we fail, the times we stumble; He waits for us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we may come to Him with a remorseful and contrite heart in order to be forgiven; that we too, may learn to forgive.

In the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, the Sacrament that invites us into the wonderful journey of motherhood, we are given every grace we need to carry out our duties, tasks, and mission as "Mother".

Embrace the gifts that Your Father is waiting to give to you in your motherhood. Draw upon the blessings that were bestowed upon you when you became His child; and continue to return again and again to the infinite font of healing, hope, and love that is sent to you through the Sacraments so that you may know true joy in your vocation.

Copyright 2010 Judy Dudich