Last July, the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Omaha, along with the Archbishop and myself, visited Mexico City on a pilgrimage-mission trip. We stayed at a convent about a ten-minute walk from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Walking to see the Tilma of Our Lady every day was an enormous blessing. For me, there was an experience of warmth in her presence. I reflected often on the words she spoke to St. Juan Diego many years ago, “Am I not your Mother? Do you need anything more?” “Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?”
These words spoken to Jesus as a child, then to St. Juan Diego, and now to us are deeply comforting as only a mother’s can be.
While in Mexico City we were also able to work with the poor, the abandoned and the forgotten. Encountering the poverty of these individuals was difficult and beautiful. We were unable to change their financial situations or solve their problems. Our presence was the only gift we were able to give. This realization reminded me of Mary’s role in the conversion of Mexico. It was through her presence, which always brings the presence of Jesus, that much of the Americas were converted to Christ.
I encourage you to allow yourself to be received by Our Mother. Entrust yourselves fully to her care. Your fears, poverty, insecurities and joys. Let Our Lady speak these words personally to you today:
“Am I not your Mother? Do you need anything more?” “Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?”
Father Scott Schilmoeller is the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Omaha.
Commentary
“Am I not your Mother? Do you need anything more?”
December 12, 2024
Last July, the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Omaha, along with the Archbishop and myself, visited Mexico City on a pilgrimage-mission trip. We stayed at a convent about a ten-minute walk from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Walking to see the Tilma of Our Lady every day was an enormous blessing. For me, there was an experience of warmth in her presence. I reflected often on the words she spoke to St. Juan Diego many years ago, “Am I not your Mother? Do you need anything more?” “Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?”
These words spoken to Jesus as a child, then to St. Juan Diego, and now to us are deeply comforting as only a mother’s can be.
While in Mexico City we were also able to work with the poor, the abandoned and the forgotten. Encountering the poverty of these individuals was difficult and beautiful. We were unable to change their financial situations or solve their problems. Our presence was the only gift we were able to give. This realization reminded me of Mary’s role in the conversion of Mexico. It was through her presence, which always brings the presence of Jesus, that much of the Americas were converted to Christ.
I encourage you to allow yourself to be received by Our Mother. Entrust yourselves fully to her care. Your fears, poverty, insecurities and joys. Let Our Lady speak these words personally to you today:
“Am I not your Mother? Do you need anything more?” “Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?”
Father Scott Schilmoeller is the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Omaha.