My mother placed great hope in God, and she was in greater labor to ensure my salvation than she had been at my birth. She shed more tears on my soul than the tears that a mother would shed on the dead body of her son. Because she was more afraid of my spiritual death than my physical death. And you o Lord, decided that the son of these tears should be lost and blessed her tears and accepted here heartbroken prayers.  These words of St. Augustine reveal the depth of motherly love and the power of the prayer by the parents for their children.

The immaculate heart of Mother Mary is the receptacle of motherly love. Even when her heart was pierced with a sword, still her heart burns with the motherly love and being crowned with the flowers of holiness. It is this pure an unending love that raised Mary as a companion and a sure protector of the mankind.

Today we see a lot of parents praying in tears for their children for leading an immoral life. The Immaculate Heart of Mary comes to the aid at these painful situations. As Mother Mary, the refuge of sinner constantly intercedes for her children, the parents also have to intercede with tears for their children. Every time Moses lifted his hands and prayed, the Israel prevailed against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-12). When the parents pray like Moses with extended hands, their children also will see victory in their worldly and spiritual life.

In this new academic year let us place the children under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May the queen of wisdom guide these young minds to lead a life holy and be safe under the protection of Mary our Mother.

Fr Prince Chakkalayil CST