Mother's Day Gifts I Have Received as Catholic Mother

Catholic moms are no different from any other moms. We want to be acknowledged on this annual, hallmark day. We want to feel appreciated and loved for all that we do for our families. That being said, we also enjoy wearing beautiful corsages to mass on this very special day.

When I was growing up, it was a family tradition to give mom a gorgeous fragrant corsage to wear to Mass on Mother's Day. After Mass, she would go over to Mary's statue and reverently remove her corsage. Every year I would end up asking her the same question after Mass. "Why did you give your flowers away, Mom?" Every year she would answer me, "Because Mary is our Mother, and she deserves them too. I got to wear them to Mass, now it is Mary's turn to keep them with my prayers."

When I got older, I left the church for a while. I didn't attend Mass when my kids were little, so I didn't need to carry on the corsage tradition in my own family. As wandering Catholics often do, I found the way back to my faith. I missed the corsage tradition, but didn't feel right trying to start it on my own. Instead, I chose to say a rosary on Mother's Day, and offer a spiritual bouquet of flowers to Mary. One year, I received the most beautiful rosary from my family. I will cherish it forever.

My devotion to Mary has grown over the years. It's almost impossible for any Catholic mom to celebrate Mother's Day without acknowledging the Mother of God. As moms, we understand how difficult it is to raise imperfect children. Mary was definitely offered the gift (and perhaps the challenge) of a lifetime when she accepted to carry Jesus, the Son of God, in her womb.

My family recognizes that without Mary as my role model, I might be a very different mom for them. They are glad that I honor Mary through my own motherhood. One year, I received the most beautiful picture of Our Lady of Fatima to put on my wall. This picture sits in the main part of my home, where I can see Mary often. I look at this picture when I'm confused or worried. I smile at this picture when everything turns out OK. I know that Mary is watching over me, and even if I blow it, as parents often do, she will catch me when I fall.

Catholic moms are never disappointed with spiritual gifts on Mother's Day. However, we are still earthly moms who love to get our due. I enjoy getting all choked up when my daughter hands me a home-made gift that took so much time to make. I giggle as much as the next mom when my son sneaks into my room, covers my eyes, leads me down the hall, and sits me down to the tastiest breakfast a mother could ever hope to receive. I enjoy a good cry when my grown up daughter lets me know that she still needs me, in a mushy card only she could have possibly found.

Most of all, I like to get the day off, not from my beloved family, but from the dishes I will end up doing tomorrow.