To Jesus through Mary is the motto that I internalized during my stay at Colegio de Sta. Isabel. I learned more about Mama Mary by being a member of the Children of Mary way back in high school. It goes through my veins that if we want to be close to Jesus, we must be like His mother, a humble servant of God. As my personal relationship with Him grew deeper, I became more aware of His presence in my daily life. I talk to Him, offer to Him what I am going through, and cry to Him when I am sad.

There were moments after my mother passed away, I envisioned clouds forming my mom’s face. I felt it was a message from Jesus telling me that Mama Mary can also be my mother. Whenever there is danger, anguish or doubt, I call upon Jesus through Mary. I believe that by following her, you will never lose your way. And by praying to Jesus through Mary, you will never sink into despair.

Being an advocate of this motto justifies my intention to always take a part in the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Every year, together with my husband and our friends, we meditate and attend the Holy Mass after the fluvial procession. We never miss this part of the activities because it is also in that week of the Peñafrancia Fiesta that we celebrate our wedding anniversary.

Our devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia is an expression of our thanksgiving for the endless love and happiness showered on our family. I cannot adequately describe our gratitude for the gift of love bestowed on us, for having a loving family and wonderful friends. 

Love, gratification and strong faith keep me complete even with the thunderstorms that put me to the test. The strength in me that’s weakening, belief in myself that’s fading and hope that our life will be better was failing. I struggled so much…but looking at my children now, how they have grown and the guidance of molding them were from God and our devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Gratefulness and genuine happiness were felt by my family when another great gift was given to us. She’s our 4th child that provides delight to our daily lives and relieves the aches that touch us. Now, I can really say that everything happens for a reason. All our prayers are answered we just need to keep silent and listen when He speaks. His words are also the words that Mama Mary wants for us to hear. The celebration will be a way for us to listen and hear His voice because like Mama Mary she will be happy if we follow His path.

Taking part in the celebration is always a fulfillment of my devotion “to Jesus through Mary.” It teaches me the true meaning of being a follower of God. As a devotee of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, I pray for the gift of humility, just as the apostles humbly followed Jesus and because of their love for Him, they were blessed with the special gift of being His friends. For me, friendship with Jesus gives meaning in our lives. And it is possible through Mary. We just have to listen and hear Him speak to us through Mama Mary.