Daily Meditation for May 13, 2024

There are numerous days in the Catholic Church calendar that celebrate Mary, the mother of Jesus. Not only days, but also May and October are considered the months dedicated to Mary. How appropriate for us today, after we just celebrated Mother’s Day, to turn our eyes to Mary, our spiritual mother in heaven, as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. This feast recalls the six apparitions in 1917 when Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. The apparition of Mary is reminiscent of Jesus’ birth. Just as Jesus appeared first to the shepherds, so too does Mary appear to the shepherd children. Shepherds and children in Jesus’ time were considered outcasts and powerless, occupying the lowest rung of the social ladder. Our Lady of Fatima teaches us not to discredit anyone. Everyone has worth. May we pray to Mary today as our spiritual guide who points the way to Jesus.

By Catherine Duenne, OSB