Out of the Valley of Tears

Every morning that I'm in town I follow the same morning ritual. I'm normally up by 6:00 am and off to the kitchen to make breakfast for my wife and kids. My wife heads out the door by 6:45 am to teach her fifth graders at Good Shepherd and I'm off by 7:15 am to take my two youngest to St. Charles Borromeo. By 7:30 I'm in the chapel of the church in front of the tabernacle with my Rosary. I'm not telling you this boastfully or suggesting that I'm a better dad or a more holier person than anyone else. I'm telling you this because it's how I make time for devotion every day.

During that time in the chapel something else happens very predictably at 7:35 am each day: a light turns on, illuminating the face of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This morning it happened right as I was was beginning a "Hail Mary". I had never been looking directly at Mary when the light turned on until today, and I was immediately struck by that coincidence. What did it mean? I'm not entirely sure, but I think that it was a reminder that even though we use habits and schedules to manage our secular life, only God can truly manage our spiritual life.

I was still looking at Mary's face when I recited the "Hail, Holy Queen", which I truly believe is a veteran's prayer:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy
Our life, our sweetness and our hope
To thee to we cry, poor banished children of Eve
Do thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping
In this valley of tears
Turn then, thy eyes of mercy towards us
And after this, our exile
Show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus
Oh clement, Oh loving, Oh sweet Virgin Mary
Pray for us, Most Holy Mother of God
That we be made worthy
Of the promises of Christ

Many veterans have been residents of the "valley of tears" and certainly feel exiled. For those who are Catholic, Mary is always there for you. One glance from the "eyes of mercy" and we will see Christ through her.

Make time in your day to revere Mary. She's always there for you. In fact, she never left your side.

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