Keep reading for a simple prayer to make this Mother’s Day more meaningful than ever.

The governor of our state decides a week ago that florists are “essential.” Naturally, political leaders have wives and mothers who need to feel the love. Moms in Washington State will receive flower deliveries, and my flower friends get a financial boost. The governor can send his wife flowers, too!

But many of us can’t be with our moms this Mothers’ Day. We probably yearn for hugs, laughter, familiar food, scents, surroundings — things that come with Mom being in the same space. This emotional pang is a feeling I’m well-accustomed to.

Do you ever come out of deep sleep with a rich thought, knowing if you don’t write it down immediately, you’ll forget it by morning? A few nights ago I got this–

“Write a blog post called, ‘I’ve been without a mother for far too long.’ Tell your story, and bring in the idea of asking Mary to spiritually adopt me.”

Of course, now you can skip ahead to the end, for I’ve given away the plot!

You see, I’m an orphan. In 1986, Mom dies of complications from Sarcoidosis, a rare lung disease. Colon cancer takes Dad in 1989.* I’m immersed in the work of a young wife and mother, launch my floral business, and get involved with parish life. I grieve, but must keep moving because life requires it.

Before becoming a rosary-only florist, I design wedding flowers. When a bride brings her mom to the consultation, I notice their relationship: Healthy bonds bring me joy, but when I see power struggles, or deep-seated angst, my heart hurts. I long to say — “You could be planning your wedding with your Mother in the grave. Be nice to one another!”

We need our mothers, and miss them when they’re gone. I long to thank Mom for everything she endured, in order to give me a great life. I yearn to apologize for my challenging teen years. I desire to hear her speak admiringly for John and I raising five delightful souls, and watch her enjoy her little great-grandchildren. I want to celebrate her on Mothers’ Day, even from a nursing home. But I can’t.

It’s my belief that Mom is in Heaven, and with a loving wisdom that’s transcendent, she knows my needs and wants, and she cares for me. Perhaps she asks God on my behalf for eternal gifts that do not disappoint, like hope.

This year, it’s quiet here. Four out of our five grandchildren live out of state, and we won’t be seeing the local one. The pace is slowed, and I have time to reflect, and acknowledge that I miss my mother. Perhaps you can relate in your own way.

I came across this lovely quote from Saint Francis de Sales: “Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.” I always love it when my kids throw themselves into my arms. These arms never tire of spontaneous hugs from my children and grandchildren. I imagine the Mother of Our Lord would feel the same way about us, her earthly kids.

Jesus gave Mary to his beloved disciple from the cross. From that hour, the disciple took her into his home. She was in his home giving hugs, laughter, familiar food — the things that come with Mom being in the same space as her kids.

The idea to ask Mary to adopt me came in that middle of the night thought. I realize that she can’t adopt me unless I ask her to. I have to acknowledge my orphaned state, and ask that she make room for me in her family.

To honor that inspiration, here’s a little prayer. I hope you’ll pray it , too. Let me know if it helps you have a Happy Mothers’ Day!

Have a wonderful Mothers’ Day. Blessings to you and your loved ones on this beautiful day!

* After mom died, Dad remarried, and gave our family a saintly step-mom, who was very dear and easy to love. Alzheimers took her memories in the early 2000’s, and she passed away in 2014. Because this post is about me and my mother, I have left her out of the story, but do not mean to slight her in any way.

The post “I’ve been without a Mother for far too long…” appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

Thank you for joining us in nine days of Rosary prayer for Mothers, as we ask for the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), with a 10th Day to pray for the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Begin praying on May 4th. Here is how:

We’ll follow this Novena Calendar, with everyone praying the Rosary and the fruits on the same day. Don’t be discouraged if you miss a day. Just hop right back into the schedule with a happy heart and firm resolve to carry on.

It’s lovely to find a rhythm, praying at the same time each day. Do so if you can manage it. You may use the regular daily rotation of the Mysteries of the Rosary (Monday-Joyful, Tuesday and Friday-Sorrowful, Thursday-Luminous, Saturday and Sunday-Glorious). If you prefer to pray the Mothering Mysteries, then splurge on the Joyful Mysteries for this novena. It will be fine. The tenth day, May 13, is the anniversary of Our Lady’s first apparition in Fatima, and on that day, we will pray for the Triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart, and then the Glorious Mysteries would be most appropriate.

(It is taken for granted that you know the structure of the Rosary. For instructions on how to pray the Rosary, scroll to the bottom of the home page of FreshRosary.com, and download a copy.)

May 4 – The Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE

May 5 – The Fruit of the Spirit is JOY

May 6 – The Fruit of the Spirit is PEACE

May 7 – The Fruit of the Spirit is PATIENCE

May 8 – The Fruit of the Spirit is KINDNESS

May 9 – The Fruit of the Spirit is GOODNESS

May 10 – The Fruit of the Spirit is FAITHFULNESS

May 11 – The Fruit of the Spirit is GENTLENESS

May 12 – The Fruit of the Spirit is SELF-CONTROL

May 13 – The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart

Create a list here of the Mothers you intend to pray for, living or deceased:

• ___________________________________________________
• ___________________________________________________
• ___________________________________________________
• ___________________________________________________
• ___________________________________________________
• ___________________________________________________
• ___________________________________________________

Daily Novena Prayer

Recite this prayer as you begin your Rosary

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Blessed Mary, Ever-Virgin Spouse of the Holy Spirit and our own true Heavenly Mother, by means of this Mother’s Day Novena, we seek after the treasures of Heaven, most notably, the Fruits of the Spirit. Through your intercession, may we, and those for whom we now pray, (mention the names here) receive a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by the spiritual gifts God most desires to give us, which are most needed by the world today. Introduce your Spouse to us in a new way, That the fully ripe fruits of His Presence – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Faithfulness, Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness and Self-Control, may be enjoined upon us, bringing to this world the full manifestation of the Glorious Kingdom of God in our time. We place our intentions in your hands, confident that all three Persons of the Holy Trinity delight to honor your humble requests for your children. We make this prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Daily Intentions for the Fruits of the Spirit

“For an outpouring of the fruit of __ in our lives, and in the lives of all mothers, especially (say the names here).”

How to add the Daily Intentions: As you pray the Mysteries of the Rosary, announce each mystery and pray the Our Father. Before the set of ten Hail Mary prayers, pray the daily intentions corresponding to the Fruits of the Spirit.

For example, Day 1:

“The First Joyful Mystery — The Annunciation “Our Father, who art in Heaven…

“For an outpouring of the fruit of Love in our lives, and in the lives of all mothers, especially (add the names here)…

“Hail Mary, full of grace…(10 times)

“Glory be to the Father…

“Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins…”

Move on to the remaining mysteries in the same pattern, praying again for an outpouring of the fruit of Love, after the Our Father and before the Hail Mary prayers. Finish your rosary in the usual way. This concludes Day 1.

Days 2 through 9 continue in the same fashion, using the calendar on page 1.

Day 10 – This day is like dessert, since it falls on the anniversary of Our Lady’s first apparition in Fatima. Of course, people can skip dessert, but why? Our Lady wants good things for us, so as her children let us return her kindness by cooperating with her desire for peace in the world.

Heavenly Father, We praise you for your goodness, extoll you for your glory, and thank you for your never-failing love. As Jesus Christ, your only begotten Son, and our Lord, tells us in sacred scripture — you alone know the day and the hour of the coming of your Kingdom. In the same way, you alone know the moment of the coming Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Because you are a loving and just God, holy and true, we your children desire the fulfillment of your holy and perfect will on earth, as it is in Heaven. As such, we ask with fervent desire for the Triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart. May your Holy Spirit instruct us in the roles we must undertake, the prayers we must pray, the sacrifices we must make, and the virtuous lives we must lead, as docile and obedient children who wish to honor and love their Mother. We wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and with similar childlike excitement, we look forward to that glorious day when the Immaculate Heart of the Queen of Angels receives the Triumph that has long been promised. We make our prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen

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²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

You can even offer your prayer efforts as a “Spiritual Bouquet” gift in honor of a chosen soul, near or far.

Be sure to check back for updates, and make a note to visit the blog daily during the Novena, for all of the prayers. Here is the schedule:

• May 4 – The Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE
• May 5 – The Fruit of the Spirit is JOY
• May 6 – The Fruit of the Spirit is PEACE
• May 7 – The Fruit of the Spirit is PATIENCE
• May 8 – The Fruit of the Spirit is KINDNESS
• May 9 – The Fruit of the Spirit is GOODNESS
• May 10 – The Fruit of the Spirit is FAITHFULNESS
• May 11 – The Fruit of the Spirit is GENTLENESS
• May 12 – The Fruit of the Spirit is SELF-CONTROL
• May 13 – The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart

Should you stumble upon this Novena in a future year, simply start nine days before Mother’s Day. The special Immaculate Heart prayer can be done any day you wish, preferably on a 13th Day.

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