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286.âMary was able to turn a stable into a home
for Jesus, with poor swaddling clothes and an
abundance of love. She is the handmaid of the
Father who sings his praises. She is the friend
who is ever concerned that wine not be lacking
in our lives. She is the woman whose heart was
pierced by a sword and who understands all our
pain. As mother of all, she is a sign of hope for
peoples suffering the birth pangs of justice. She
is the missionary who draws near to us and ac-
companies us throughout life, opening our hearts
to faith by her maternal love.
As a true mother,
she walks at our side, she shares our struggles
and she constantly surrounds us with Godâs love.
Through her many titles, often linked to her
shrines, Mary shares the history of each people
which has received the Gospel and she becomes
a part of their historic identity. Many Christian
parents ask that their children be baptized in
a Marian shrine, as a sign of their faith in her
motherhood which brings forth new children for
God. There, in these many shrines, we can see
how Mary brings together her children who with
great effort come as pilgrims to see her and to be
seen by her. Here they find strength from God
to bear the weariness and the suffering in their
lives. As she did with Juan Diego, Mary offers
them maternal comfort and love, and whispers in
their ear: âLet your heart not be troubled⦠Am
I not here, who am your Mother?â
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Nican Mopohua
, 118-119.
