“Maria came into my life at the age of 11, but soon after, I forgot her. Then, she was present at a turning point in my life at the age of 24. But I let her go again. Work, social activities, study... Everything was more urgent than connecting with her and the relationship cooled down.
But my world bottomed out when 2 years ago, over a thousand miles away, I get a call. It was my husband, announcing that my son was seriously ill. This had been my second pregnancy and therefore, the fact that I had carried it to term was a victory. But within a year of his life, he was gone. I flew home with my eyes closed, crying and praying. As expected, I turned to a loyal friend, the Blessed Mother. She would be there to accompany me during the trip to the airport, during the flight and by giving me the company of an unconditional friend.
I arrived one cold dawn in my city and they took me urgently to the hospital. My son was waiting in the ICU, connected to the ventilator. I said, 'Son, fly high. I love you to infinity. See you when the Father provides it". I imagined that the Blessed Mother was singing to him and that the angels were taking him away.
Then, as it happened with Her, they gave me my son in a sheet. I uncovered his face and I felt that I was under the cross. Then I descended from the floor of the ICU to the basement to take him to his final rest and I just thought, 'My God, why have you forsaken me?
There I imagined her again. I lowered my head and took a deep breath. She had done it before, I could count her words as ointment. From the day of the funeral it is worth remembering that we went to Mass. My husband and I asked the Blessed Mother not to let go of our hand. And she as Mother and Queen fulfilled it. Two months later, I became pregnant for the third time. We as a couple joined the Family Branch of Schoenstatt and we began to walk hand in hand with other families of the Movement. Time passed and the nine months of pregnancy were completed. Unlike the previous ones, in that pregnancy there was no mandatory rest or risk.
She was at the foot of my bed in the hospital and Benja was born among prayers. Since then, I usually repeat: before I was a Catholic by tradition and now with Her, I am a Catholic by conviction. Benja was consecrated to the Blessed Mother; he is a very healthy and very affectionate child.
The International Crowning came at home at a time of greater commitment to the Blessed Mother. My husband, made the cross out of bracelets of mine, and we received Her praying the rosary with Benja. Hearing how she is venerated opened my eyes. How loved Mary is! Days before the Crowning we started receiving gifts in our family. More affection in the treatment, more temperance to go through the work challenges and more confidence that everything will be fine. As a legacy of the Coronation, we undertook the project of praying the rosary every night until today and we see how from the prayer of the rosary She as Mother and Queen leads our day. Thank you, Blessed Mother, for allowing me to feel what you felt, and even if small, be able to do something, that resembles you! When I think about heaven, I imagine that you are there with my son, from where you expect me to give testimony of your love and your hope. I love you, Mater.”
