Motherhood often reminds us of the limits of our humanity, and questions about our inadequacy can grip our heart. How can I give to my children everything they need? Am I doing the right thing to help them to become holy? Are there things I am missing that are getting in the way of their development? Self-doubt and discouragement can creep in.

Fr. Stefan Starzynski has written a short, but beautiful prayer asking Our Lady to step in and fill in the gaps of our humanity - to give to our children all the love, affection, encouragement, and spiritual protection required to make them saints.

It can be said while holding a child in your arms or just in your heart.

A Mother's Prayer to Our Lady

Mother Mary, thank you for being my mother. I know you are the perfect mother, who cared perfectly for the Christ Child.

As I hold my child in my arms and my heart, I ask you, Mother Mary, to let your perfect love flow through my hands, heart, and will.

I ask you, Mother Mary, to give my child all the love and tenderness that I am unable to give him to make him a saint and to spend eternity with you and your Child in Heaven.

Help me to be confident in your love and goodness, knowing that you love my child even more than I do, because you know what it cost your Son to redeem all of us.

Thank you, Mary, for the gift of my child and I ask you, Mary, to fill his heart with all of your love, and to present my child to your Child, Our Lord, in a way that is pleasing to him.

Mother Mary, transform my love for my child into the good and holy wine of your love.

Amen