Theotokos: A Mother's Love
By Michael Agovino
My name is Michael Agovino, and I have been with the Salesian family for many years now! I attended Salesian High in New Rochelle, graduating in May of 2014. I am now a Salesian Candidate for the Priesthood, on a day-to-day journey with my brothers in Orange, New Jersey.
Ever since I was a little kid living in the Bronx, I had a very strong devotion to two very important women of the Church: The Virgin Mary and St. Therese de Lisieux. They both have had significant impacts on my spiritual life, as a man and as a Salesian. Sometimes we give all these different titles to Mary, and rightfully so: Mary “Help of Christians,” Mary “Tower of David,” Mary “Queen of Heaven,” and so on. All these titles are the epitome of who Mary is and how much she loves us. However, one that I keep close to my heart is Mary “Virgin and Mother.” St. Therese wrote in her biography: “What a joy to remember that she [Mary] is our Mother! Since she loves us and knows our weakness, what have we to fear?”
This past year, I was struggling immensely with the decision I was about to make: to leave my home, family, and parish to join either the Salesians or the Diocese of New York. Amidst spiritual direction and prayer, both of my parents became very ill with cancer and congestive heart failure. This added to my struggle, but I was not shaken in any way that would cause me to all or lose my way. It was because Mary is my mother, and because I’ve held tightly to the rosary my whole life, that I did not despair.
Mary is a mother of great love and protection to all of her children. When Jesus -- who was fully
God, one with the Creator of the Universe -- fell while taking His first steps, who was there to catch Him and pick Him up? When He, the all-powerful, struggled to keep the cross on His shoulders and felt lonelier than any one of us can ever imagine, who was there by His side, nurturing Him? Mary.
In a special way, Mary has been holding my hand throughout my life with the ups and downs, but more importantly, she’s been picking me up when I fall. I’ve fallen many times but she’s right there to nurture me and guide me. In a special way this October, I encourage all of you to pray the rosary, meditate on Mary’s loving intercession for us, and as St. Therese (whose feast day is October 1st) put it: “In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.”
Ever since I was a little kid living in the Bronx, I had a very strong devotion to two very important women of the Church: The Virgin Mary and St. Therese de Lisieux. They both have had significant impacts on my spiritual life, as a man and as a Salesian. Sometimes we give all these different titles to Mary, and rightfully so: Mary “Help of Christians,” Mary “Tower of David,” Mary “Queen of Heaven,” and so on. All these titles are the epitome of who Mary is and how much she loves us. However, one that I keep close to my heart is Mary “Virgin and Mother.” St. Therese wrote in her biography: “What a joy to remember that she [Mary] is our Mother! Since she loves us and knows our weakness, what have we to fear?”
This past year, I was struggling immensely with the decision I was about to make: to leave my home, family, and parish to join either the Salesians or the Diocese of New York. Amidst spiritual direction and prayer, both of my parents became very ill with cancer and congestive heart failure. This added to my struggle, but I was not shaken in any way that would cause me to all or lose my way. It was because Mary is my mother, and because I’ve held tightly to the rosary my whole life, that I did not despair.
Mary is a mother of great love and protection to all of her children. When Jesus -- who was fully
God, one with the Creator of the Universe -- fell while taking His first steps, who was there to catch Him and pick Him up? When He, the all-powerful, struggled to keep the cross on His shoulders and felt lonelier than any one of us can ever imagine, who was there by His side, nurturing Him? Mary.
In a special way, Mary has been holding my hand throughout my life with the ups and downs, but more importantly, she’s been picking me up when I fall. I’ve fallen many times but she’s right there to nurture me and guide me. In a special way this October, I encourage all of you to pray the rosary, meditate on Mary’s loving intercession for us, and as St. Therese (whose feast day is October 1st) put it: “In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.”