This article first appeared in Our Sunday Visitor magazine. Subscribe to receive the monthly magazine here.
Often we think of home as a place of comfort, safety and rest — a place where we enter into relationship with those whom we love. For the first 30 years, Christ’s home was with Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. There, Mary was a sanctuary for her divine son, lovingly attending to his every need and providing a resting place in her. Mary too wishes to be our sanctuary and extend this same care to us. She reminds us, as she did St. Juan Diego: “Am I not your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms?”
To find a home in Mary, we must first embrace Mary as mother, given to us, through St. John, by Jesus on the cross. Secondly, we must imitate the beloved disciple in taking Mary into our homes so we may love her, share our lives with her, and in return, receive her protection.
Here are nine ways we can bring Mary into our homes:
1. Display Mary’s image: Similar to displaying photos of our family and friends, we should place an image of our heavenly mother in our homes. Find a statue or image of Our Lady you are drawn to, have it blessed and place it in a prominent place in your home. Let her image remind you of her maternal presence and intercession, inspiring you to share the events of your day with her.
2. Read Marian books: The more we know Mary, the more we will love her, and the more we will seek her company. Grow your love for your mother with these reading suggestions: Fulton Sheen’s “The World’s First Love,” Louis De Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary,” Venerable Mary of Agreda’s “The Divine Life of the Most Holy Virgin,” Sister Lucia de Santos’ “Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words,” or Edward Sri’s “Walking With Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross.”
3. Cook: Honor Mary by celebrating Marian feasts with festive foods. Whip up some tacos and churros for Our Lady of Guadalupe, snow pudding for Our Lady of the Snows or a Portuguese dish for Our Lady of Fatima. Recalling Mary as the New Eve, indulge in a slice of apple pie while sipping a Superior White Lady (you can find the recipe on drinkingwiththesaints.com) on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. After praying grace before meals, invoke Mary’s intercession under the patronage of her particular feast and display her image on the table.
4. Listen to Marian music: Keep Mary in mind throughout the day by playing a mix of Marian hymns. Not only will it honor Mary, it will also remind you to offer Mary your work and activities.
5. Reflect and pray: Mary often pondered the events of Christ’s life, keeping them in her heart. Following Mary’s example, meditate with her on the mysteries of her son’s life by praying the Rosary and reflecting upon the Scriptures in your home. Similarly, start and end the day with Mary: Pray the Angelus upon rising, and a Salve Regina or Hail Mary before bed.
6. Imitate Mary’s virtues: Most of Mary’s life was hidden, caring for Christ and St. Joseph at Nazareth. St. Louis de Montfort lists 10 “principal virtues” Mary exhibited: profound humility, lively faith, blind obedience, continual prayer, universal mortification, divine purity, ardent charity, heroic patience, angelic sweetness and divine wisdom. Practice these virtues throughout the day, so Mary’s virtues permeate your home.
7. Sign up for the Pilgrim Virgin: If your local church has a pilgrim statue of Mary, take advantage of the chance to welcome Our Lady to your home for the week. Place flowers by her statue and invite family and friends over to pray the Rosary and spend time in community with one another.
8. Consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary: By entrusting yourself to Mary through a consecration, you surrender all aspects of your life to her, both spiritual and material. St. Louis de Montfort explains its effects: Your “material possessions, such as house, family income, and even the inner possessions of (your) soul, namely (your) merits, graces, virtues and atonements” are hers. In return, Mary pours out graces upon your soul, closely conforming you to her son.
If you wish to consecrate yourself to Mary, these resources may help: St. Louis de Montfort’s “Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary” (TAN, $18.95), “Preparation for Total Consecration to the Immaculate According to St. Maximilian Kolbe” (Academy of the Immaculate, $3) or “Totus Tuus: A Consecration to Jesus through Mary with St. John Paul II” (OSV, $16.95). Another popular option, “33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration” by Father Michael Gaitley (Marian, $16.95), draws from the writings of each of these three saints, as well as St. Teresa of Kolkata.
9. Consecrate your home to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary: Enthroning the Sacred of Hearts of Jesus and Mary in your home invites Christ to be king and Mary to be queen mother of your heart and home. The consecration is simple — it entails praying the act of consecration and hanging an image of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. By commending your home to Mary and her son, you place it in their hands, asking for their guidance and protection.
St. Alphonsus Liguori reminds us that no one except God loves us as Mary does. When we invite Mary into our homes, we experience her maternal love, for we gain a mother who is a powerful intercessor, protectress and guide. We will find a home in her, and through her discover the mysteries of her son’s life; for where Mary is, there is Christ.
