Dedicating Your Child to God's Will, Not Yours

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sherry Hayes-Peirce shares prayerful parenting inspiration from the saints. 

As Catholics, many of us grew up celebrating a variety of feasts, but we don’t always know why. I often visit FranciscanMedia.org to watch a video about the feast for a particular day. Most Catholics remember the feast in their prayers for the day or read about it in a devotional. Today, we celebrate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which has been depicted in images as our Blessed Mother walking up steps from her parents to a high priest. 

Why This Feast Is Important  

According to tradition, Mary’s parents experienced infertility, and while they were regarded in society as holy people, because they were childless, society believed that God was displeased with them. Both Anne and Joachim prayed fervently for the gift of a child. It is said that Saint. Anne vowed to dedicate their daughter to His service in appreciation of the gift. While baptism was universally done when a child was an infant, our Blessed Mother was presented at the age of three. Her age set her apart from other children, and her Presentation served as a consecration and dedication to the role that God would call her to take as the Mother of His Son. Learn more about the background of this feast day at FranciscanMedia.org.  

Reflecting on this feast is a powerful reminder for parents to dedicate their children's lives to God. Often, the prayers we offer to God for our children are that they be healthy, prosperous, and that they help us become grandparents. In previous generations, when Catholic families had 6-10 kids, it was common for parents to pray for at least one of them to be drawn to a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. In fact, some cultures would refer to it as “offering one up for the Church.”    

Pray for Holy Intercession

Many holy Moms and Dads have chosen to consecrate their children to God, and they can be powerful prayer models and intercessors for you in raising a kiddo who will do the will of God:

Saint Monica 

Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, has long been an intercessor to parents of challenging boys and girls. It is written that she prayed for 17 years for her son to return to his faith, and because she dedicated him to the Lord in prayer, he not only returned to the church but also became a doctor of it. On this feast day, pray:  

Blessed Saint Monica, I pray for your intercession with my child/children (say their names) to return to the Church, and I dedicate them to you to use in the way you ordain. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Saint Joseph 

Saint Joseph is a terrific model for parents to emulate, demonstrating patience, humility, and selflessness in parenting. As the provider for the family, pray for his intercession if you or your spouse is experiencing challenges in employment, and it gives you anxiety, pray:  

Holy Father on earth to Jesus, Saint Joseph, I pray for your intercession to help me have patience, selflessness, and the humility to ask for your help. Help me determine what kind of provider you ordain for my children to have. Open my mind and heart to your will over my limited vision of what you want for my child. 

Saints Zélie and Louis Martin 

Saints Zélie and Louis were the parents of eight children and fostered a nurturing home environment. They entrusted their family life to God’s will for each of their children, and their daughter Marie Françoise Marie Thérèse answered the call to be a Carmelite nun. She went on to advocate a ministry to “Do Little Things With Great Love.” She was later elevated to the rank of Doctor of the Church. Have you created a nurturing home environment, or is it limited or judgmental? Pray:  

Parents of a beloved saint, Saints Zélie and Louis, I pray for your intercession to help me create an environment in my home where the Holy Spirit can guide my children to the perfect will of our Lord.  

Saint Monica, Saint Joseph, and Saints Zélie and Louis had no vision of the impact their children would have on the holy Catholic Church, but their faith led them to dedicate their children in prayer to God's will, not their own.   

Today, offer one or all of these prayers for your children, ask your priest to consecrate your child, or introduce them to Marian Consecration. The beautiful book titled Marian Consecration for Children can help. 

Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it. (Proverbs 22:6) 

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Copyright 2025 Sherry Hayes-Peirce
Images: Canva