In my quest to quench my thirst for Mary, I've been attending meetings of the Legion of Mary at the local Catholic Church, Star of the Sea. I was hesitant about going. I was a little bit concerned exactly how I would answer any questions they might have, "Are you Catholic?" "Do you believe that Jesus was the only son of God?" But they didn't. Phew! I simply told them that I love Mary and I want to establish a stronger connection to her and that my little girl also loves Mary, quite a lot.
So once a week I go off to these private meetings and we pray and talk about Mary. This week was my second meeting. I was told - with tongue in cheek - by one of the sisters that I was on probation - a probationary member - giggles all round. At the meetings everyone is called sister. I blushed when they addressed me as, Sister Hinshelwood.
At the end of this weeks meetings there was a bit if whispering going on. I looked up from the contents of my handbag to all eyes on me. One of the sisters said, "Sister Hinshelwood. We would like to know if you would have a statue of Mary. It has a chip on it and we can no longer use it. We thought - as you wanted to get one for your little girl - that you could have this one." They pulled out of the cupboard an 80cm/31inch statue of Mother Mary. I could have died, ahem, I mean be reborn. I was utterly humbled. I could barely believe the faith that these women had in me. It was only my second time there and here they were giving me Mary. The week before I had scribbled in my note book that the members of the Legion were to pray to the statue of Mary like the statue was really Mary and here I was about to walk out the door with Her tucked under my arm! I said a thousand thank you's and promised to pray for the Legion sisters. It was all a bit surreal walking out to the car park carrying Mary like a new baby in a bright blue pillow case. I strapped her in and drove away.
Once I had collected the children, we took Mary inside to have a good look at Her, our 'baby'. She safely lay on my bed while we prepared the children's room for her to go into. I cleansed the room; tidied, opened the window, vacumned, dusted, threw some salt around... Outside we then washed and dried her. We carefully placed her on the chest of drawers in between the children's beds and in total disbelief stood back and watched her glow.
Over the afternoon, the children added a few bits and pieces to their new altar. The black baby Jesus is a story I'll leave for another day.
That night when Dazla got home we enshrined her in this spot. We said welcome, offered individual prayers and introduced the children to the Hail Mary by reciting it three times.
That night when Indira went to bed she said, "Thank you Mama. I know that Mary is always in my heart but now I can see her too."
A beautiful day. We are truly blessed. Hail Mary.
