I may have known of Mama Mary all my life but my interest to truly know her and understand her role in our salvation only began in 2007.

At that time, our chapter had a boot camp (a weekend of CO, SWRs) at the Our Lady of La Sallete Shrine and Retreat Center in Cavite. It was my first time in that venue and I was taken aback by the life size images portraying how the Blessed Mother was at La Salette in France.

Having been accustomed to seeing figures of Mama Mary standing with a Rosary on her hand or with palms together in prayer, it truly was a surprise – a gut wrenching surprise - to see our Mother with her head in her hands, her elbows on her knees in a dejected state, weeping!

I thought to myself, ‘I always make sure that I do not give my mama a reason to worry, that I do not cause her pain but I have been remiss about how my actions affect my heavenly mother’.

Mama Mary is the most special and the only perfect creation of God. I cannot bear the thought that I myself have caused our Blessed Mother to shed so many precious tears.

I eventually found myself in the small book cum gift shop at the Center. I bought a pamphlet, prayer book, stampita and medal. I read everything right away and was struck by the words of the Blessed Mother (her message at the La Salette):

“If my people will not submit, I shall be forced to let fall the arm of  my Son. It is so strong, so heavy, that I can no longer withhold it. For how long a time do I suffer for you! If I would not have my Son abandon you, I am compelled to pray to Him without ceasing; and as to you, you take no heed of it…”

Mama Mary’s words made me think of her, on her knees the whole time, begging her Son to continue to bestow upon us His extravagant mercy.

I’ve been the lost sheep so many times. I can just imagine, Mama Mary have shed so much tears for me – so much that it would have easily filled a very deep well. I can also see her devoting long hours to convince Jesus, “Son, don’t give up on her, on all of them”.

Jesus and Mama Mary’s love for me, for all of us is certainly beyond human comprehension.

The profound effect of the La Sallete prompted me to read up again on Mama Mary’s different apparitions. This time, I paid attention to the details and more importantly, her messages. I also looked up various invocations to her and started praying them including the Memorare for the Our Lady of La Sallete:

Remember, Our Lady of La Salette, true Mother of Sorrows, the tears you shed for us on Calvary. Remember also the care you have taken to keep us faithful to Christ, your Son. Having done so much for your children, you will not now abandon us.

Comforted by this consoling thought, we come to you pleading, despite our infidelities and ingratitude.

Virgin of Reconciliation, do not reject our prayers, but intercede for us, obtain for us the grace to love Jesus above all else. May we console you by a holy life and so come to share the eternal life Christ gained by his cross. Amen.

Our Lady of La Salette, Reconciler of Sinners, pray without ceasing for us who have recourse to you.

Brothers and sisters, we can never equal what the Blessed Virgin Mary has done – and continues to do - for us. But I’m sure there are so many things we can do to show our deepest gratitude to our dearest Mother.

Information about the La Sallete:

(Source: What is the La Sallete? The Apparition. By Fr. Roger Castel, M.S.)

Ø  The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to children Maximin and Melanie in 1846

Ø  She did not cease to weep all the time she spoke to the children

Ø  As Maximin put it, “she was like a mama whom her own children had beaten and who had escaped to the mountain to weep”

Ø  She was dressed like the women of the region: a long dress, an apron nearly as long as the dress, a shawl crossed over her breast and knotted in the back, with a “cap” or bonnet. ”Roses crowned her head; another wreath of roses adorned the edges of her white shawl and a third garland surrounded her shoes.

o   On her shoulders shone a heavy chain and from a smaller golden chain hung a resplendent crucifix with a hammer and pincers placed on each side of the Cross, beyond the nailed hands”

Ø  Her message: “If my people will not submit, I shall be forced to let fall the arm of  my Son. It is so strong, so heavy, that I can no longer withhold it. For how long a time do I suffer for you! If I would not have my Son abandon you, I am compelled to pray to Him without ceasing; and as to you, you take no heed of it. However much you pray, however much you do, you will never recompense the pain I have taken for you. Six days I have given  to you to labor, the seventh I have kept for myself; and they will not give it to me. It is this that makes the arm of my Son so heavy.

 (Pictures from tldm.org /rc.net)