The Virgin Mary's Struggles

If we want to be holy, the Virgin Mary should have an integral role in our spiritual life; but sometimes, perhaps, you might ​think you cannot relate to the Blessed Mother because she was immaculately conceived and didn’t have to struggle with sin as we do. In this video, Fr. Mike shares how even though ​Mary ​did not struggle with sin, she still had her own unique struggle that we can relate to when we are seeking holiness.

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[yusukehanabishi]

A protestant pastor has persuaded my mom to get rid of Mama Mary's and Jesus' paintings and Pope John Paul 2's pictures in our house. She also made me play with her rosary because she was believing the protestant views from the pastor that the rosary and the paintings are unbiblical and wrong. I was a child back then... And so i broke her rosary and she just put the broken rosary in the drawer of our room. When she woke up at 5 am the next day, Mama Mary appeared to her shining with a very bright light floating at the side of our bed. She did not speak to my mom but her gaze was telling my mom to look in front of her.. So she looked straight and then she saw Jesus standing just in front of our bed. She did not look at Mary anymore because she was transfixed in the eyes of Jesus. My mom hugged me while looking at Jesus because she thought she is going to die that time as she can no longer feel her body and flesh.. She told me that it lasted for a few minutes. During that time, she was continuously looking at Jesus' eyes while telling Him that "please Lord, don't take me yet. My son is still very young." Jesus did not answer but is just looking at her. My mom told me that you can never stop looking at the eyes of Jesus as it is so full of love and goodness. Then suddenly, Mary and Jesus just vanished in a blink of an eye.. When she was looking at Jesus, she was also trying to wake my Dad.. She was constantly saying to him to wake up as Mary and Jesus are in our room but my dad and I are very much asleep during the apparition and could not wake up despite her calling to wake up. That day my mom put back all our pictures and painting of Pope John, Mama Mary and Jesus back in the corners of our house. She was trying to find the rosary I broke in the drawer but she can no longer find it. It just can't be found anymore. She even thought that maybe Mary and Jesus took it with them. My mom became a devout Catholic again after the apparition.. This happened in the 90s in our hometown in the Philippines. I was like 6 years old then. Now I'm 31 and my mom is 61. Lastly, she told me that right after the apparition, she can smell a very sweet fragrance of flowers in our room that lasted for 3 months that only she can smell. My dad and I could not smell the scent. Until now, my mom prays the rosary everyday and sometimes, Mama Mary, Jesus and the Saints like St. Threse and St. Patrick visit her in her dreams. There was no more apparition but for my mom, what happened was still very clear in her head and she cannot forget the face and eyes of Jesus.. God bless us all...

[marystachowiak]

I believe, Mary went through more suffering then we can imagine. Who could imagine what she went through, knowing her Son's Destiny, and then witnessing her Son's brutal treatment and then His ultimate Crucifixion?

[thomasshaughnessy]

Your videos inspired me to check out the Catholic Church.I look forward to becoming a practicing Catholic.

[jonnysetzler]

The Catholic view on Mary was always one of my favorite things about it, compared to other Christian denominations. It's comforting, especially in the way you explained it Fr. Mike: The idea that she knows what it's like to struggle, to wander, to walk a lonely road, but to always, no matter what, put her faith and trust in God, I see her as a role model (Same with saints in general tbh, but especially Mary). I have friends who are Protestant who've asked "why do Catholics worship Mary? That doesn't seem right" and this video is a perfect way of explaining our devotion to her. I also remember something Pope Francis said in one of his Angelus speeches, where he talked about the wedding at Cana, and how Mary told the other people at the wedding "Do whatever He tells you" and how Jesus then did his first miracle. The Pope said something about how that phrase "Do whatever He tells you" is really the foundation of Christian life: we do what Jesus, and God, tell us to do. We are the guests at the wedding, and Mary is there telling us to follow Him wherever He goes.

Anyway, I hope that ramble made sense, I'm still trying to relearn Catholicism, it's been almost 10 years since I was a practicing Catholic and I just decided to come back a few weeks ago

[damrrisseva]

Now, whenever I feel lonely for the catholic life I chose to live, I'll think about Mary and her strength.
I never looked at Mary in this way.
Thank you for this video, it comes when it's most needed!

[acolish]

Wow, awesome! I've often struggled to connect with Mary precisely because she has always been without sin whereas I have always been broken by mine, but your fresh perspective puts it all in a totally different light. Thanks Fr Mike!

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

[joholly]

I treated Mary as my heavenly Mother not just like a friend...She is the most perfect mother. Imagine God create you to become His Mother....that is really a blessed ❤

[Elainemom]

Needed this message. I know she really suffered but never thought of her being lonely. I need her as my very best friend. Wonderful point Father.

[sheilaquatro]

This made me cry too. I love her so much. Thanks for reminding me She's my mother too. ❤

[stealthisname]

I wish i could give this video like a hundred likes.
Thanks Fr. Mike.
Really needed to hear this one.

[jime_maq]

Normally this videos I wait until later to watch them because I want to give it my best attention, but I love the Virgin Mary and lately I’ve been thinking how hard it could have been for her to be chosen by God to carry and raise his son, maybe she felt this huge weight on her shoulders. So when I read the title of this video I started screaming yes, YES, yes yes yes, yeees finally, I’m sooo excited!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[SoberZealot]

This video is great timing. I prayed a rosary last night for my mother in law. She lives in the phillipines and was possessed by a demon. My wife sent me a video from one of the caretakers in her house that was recorded during an exorcism, and am convinced. Her name is Rowena resuento. Please pray for her soul.

[joyyoung]

AMEN! Mother Mary is giving you a great big Motherly hug right now and Jesus is so happy for the beautiful words you said about His Mom. God Bless you Father Mike.

[kingofhearts]

Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ! Amen

[karolinawalter]

I fully understand the lonely mother never loved me and was never a mother to me and i became the mother i always wanted thanks to my sons

[jessevelasquez]

How blessed we are to have a spiritual mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

[Mr_Academic]

You inspire me to strive to be a more dedicated Catholic, even more prayers of guidance for vocation into the priesthood! Thank you Fr. Mike!

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us that we have the will to say yes to God as you did!

[joannaforthewin]

Τhank you! May Mary and God be always in our minds and show us the way.

[mikewilson]

Brilliance strikes again! Thank you, Father Mike, for the encouragement as we all try to walk the lonely road of righteousness, & for reminding us that it isn't as lonesome a road as we sometimes think.

[kevinpaul]

YES!!! I've been waiting for a video about our Mother!!!