Write About “My Mother”

“Write about My Mother!”  My intention was to write instead about “Jesus” and His approaching birth on December 25th.  Advent begins tomorrow – Sunday, November 30th and it seemed only right to begin the way I had pondered.

However, Jesus was clearly pointing me in the direction of “His Mother” as She so clearly points to “Her Son.”  

“Meeting Mary” is where we begin our journey back to July 4, 2017 and meeting Christine Watkins.

The Porch Swing

On July 4, 2017, I would meet Christine Watkins.  Not in person but via the internet. I had been watching Marytv on my computer and Christine was giving a “witness” to her incredible conversion story.  At the end of her sharing, she did a “guided meditation.” I had worked at St. Ignatius Retreat House for 8 years on Long Island and had plenty of experience with the “Ignatian Guided Retreats” and “Days of Prayer.” I knew what I was in for!

I remember sitting at my computer with eyes closed as Christine guided me through a golden meadow with tall yellow flowers.  In the distance was a small house with a porch and a swing for two.  As the sun was slowly drifting downwards and setting for the day – a beautiful woman comes out onto the porch of the house beckoning to “come and sit with Her. That beautiful woman was the Blessed Virgin Mary – Mother of Jesus Christ.” 

I remember so clearly – rocking back and forth on a “four legged chair” with tears streaming down my face. I was truly rocking on that porch swing with the Mother of God.  I felt like I was “drinking saltwater” from the tears flowing down my face. The Blessed Virgin Mary was before me and inviting me to be in “Her Presence.”

The Morning Star

Usually at the end of a “guided retreat” you will come away with a “word, or possibly a visual or something to reflect upon.”  A definite take-away!  Mine that day was the “Morning Star.”

Yes….Mary is referred to as the “Morning Star” but so is “Jesus”. . .and so these “Two Hearts” always point to each other.

St. Pope John Paul II writes in Redemptoris Mater the following:

“Mary appeared on the horizon of salvation history before Christ.”

The Blessed Virgin Mary always guides us to Her Son.  She was the “first Tabernacle” and makes His Presence known.  She has truly been compared to a “Star in the Sky.” 

A Hand to Hold on Life’s Journey

I was so “moved” by Christine’s guided meditation on Marytv that day, I got directly in touch with her by email.

I wanted to know if I could somehow obtain that “guided meditation” to pray with in future days and share with others.  Connecting with her through email, we began a series of responses that led to an invitation to blog for Queen of Peace Media.  Her plan was to launch it on October 7th, 2017 – the Feast of the Holy Rosary.

I gave my “yes” and was asked to give my “blog post” a name.  It came easy to my heart and is quoted above. Two days ago, I found an email from Christine responding to my fiat 8 years ago…….

“What a beautiful introduction and theme for your blog,

and I’m so happy that Jesus has chosen you to spread His Gospel in this way!

Your writing is beautiful and heartfelt and your intro made me want to read more.

How exciting!”

Your Invitation 

Why did Jesus ask me to write about “His Mother”?

The days grow longer now…darkness enters earlier in our days…and we need the bright Morning Star to guide us now more than ever towards Christmas Day.

She is our Star….She is the one to meet in the early morning of the Advent days ahead.  There are two grand Feast Days ahead of Mother Mary’s – December 8th – the Immaculate Conception and December 12th – Our Lady of Guadalupe.  What graces She bestows on us during these Festival Days celebrated in the Church.  How beautiful that she alone can adorn our souls to be ready to make room for “His Birth” in our hearts.

Jesus Points to Her

Jesus gave further direction this morning about “writing about His Mother.”  I opened up to a reading in “He and I” – Gabrielle Bossis.  It’s dated December 9, 1943 – the Feast of St. Juan Diego.

“Never leave your Immaculate Mother.  She won’t leave you either.  She loves you even more than your own dear mother.  She suffered more to give birth to you, for she bore My death.  Queen of Martyrs!  If suffering increases love, just imagine the tenderness she feels for you.  Nothing could ever quench it, not even your ingratitude.

Thank her. Love her.  Above all, speak to her about your love, and this will draw your nearer to Me.  Where else would she lead you if not to Me?  She is much too humble to take for herself what belongs to Me, she who lived for God alone.  

Ask her to teach you to live for Me.  Put all your trust in her.  She will help you on your uphill climb; it is strenuous work climbing the mountain of perfection.  Just when you think you are going up, you find that you are slipping back.  Who will purify you?  Who will put light into your mind, if not those who possess it – the saints and the Queen of saints?  

See that you are very childlike with her.  She was only a woman, but the Woman.  The other Eve was called the first woman, but My mother is the woman who crushed the head of the serpent.  

Live simply with us as at Nazareth.  Nothing in our intimate life will be kept from you.

I give everything I have, even the love of My mother.

Make a Plan for Advent

Mike Scherschligt and his daughter Theresa who have podcasts for Daily Rosary Meditations suggested to make a plan for our Advent of 2025 this year.

Mike tells us to “take stock” –  and ask the following questions sincerely to our hearts:

“Where do you want to be spiritually?  

“What improvements do you need to make?”

“What grade would you give yourself at the end of this year?

 

Entrust Yourself to Mary this Advent

Entrust all these questions to Mary.  She knows exactly where we stand. What we need!

Could this be why Jesus pointed me to His Mother early this morning rather than writing about Him today?

Mike invites us to “remove obstacles”…..

to empty ourselves of distractions.  

To make room for Jesus to be born within us on Christmas Day.  

Too much screen time?  

Constant noise?  

A cluttered schedule?  

A sin you have been tolerating?

Christine invites us in “Meeting Mary” to “listen to see” what is desired of us this coming Advent of 2025.

Let us give our “Yes” to Mother Mary – for in giving our fiats….we surely will find the Child Jesus resting in our hearts on Christmas Day!

A Blessed Advent to All…..

©2025 Anita Guariglia

Meeting Mary – Christine Watkins – CD on Queen of Peace Media

Mike Scherschligt – Daily Rosary Meditations Podcast – A Plan for Advent – Nov. 29, 2025