Grandma to Our Lady of the Arch

For many years, my grandmother has been the most devoted Catholic in our family. She would attend church every Sunday, and sometimes even on weekdays, to pray and offer her gratitude to the Almighty. She would light candles and offer them to the saints and to the blessed Virgin Mary, asking for their intercession in her petitions.

As a child, I would often accompany her to these religious services. At first, I did not understand most of it, but I would love the way she would lovingly recite her prayers. She would often give me holy cards of the saints and encourage me to pray every night before I slept. I would leave her side feeling spiritually nourished and protected.

But as I grew older, my fascination with the Catholic faith waned. I started questioning certain teachings and practices, and found it hard to reconcile them with my own outlook on life. But my grandmother never wavered. In fact, she grew more resolute in her faith as she aged.

One of her favorite devotions was to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She would tell me stories of how she would ask for the Virgin’s protection during the war, or how she had received miracles after praying the rosary. She believed that Mary was not only the mother of Jesus, but also her own mother, as well as mother to all Catholics who call on her aid.

One of the most cherished items that my grandmother possessed was a small figurine of Our Lady of the Arch from Brazil. She had received it as a gift from a friend who had visited the country and was struck by the beauty of the image. The figure depicted Mary with open arms, standing on a crescent moon, and surrounded by stars.

My grandmother would often gaze at the figure and pray to Mary, asking for her guidance and protection. She believed that Mary was a beacon of hope and comfort, especially during difficult times. Whenever we had family problems or health issues, she would light a candle and offer it to the Virgin, asking her to intercede for us.

Eventually, my grandmother became too old to attend church regularly. Her age and frailty made it difficult for her to walk and travel, so she would often spend most of her days at home. But she never lost her faith. Whenever we visited her, she would eagerly show us the latest saint medals or rosaries she had acquired. And she would always tell us stories about her devotion to Mary.

A few years ago, my grandmother passed away. It was a difficult time for our family, but we took solace in the knowledge that she was now with the Virgin Mary, whom she had loved and served so faithfully. We decided to honor her memory by continuing her devotion to Our Lady of the Arch.

We bought a replica of the figurine that she had loved so much and placed it in a special niche in our home. We would often light candles and offer them to her, just as my grandmother had done. And we would pray to Mary, asking for her intercession in our own petitions.

Through Mary’s intercession, we have received many blessings. Our family has grown closer, and we have found peace and comfort in times of difficulty. We believe that my grandmother is now watching over us from heaven, joined with Mary in a never-ending prayer of love and devotion.

In conclusion, my grandmother’s devotion to Our Lady of the Arch has inspired us to cherish and honor the Catholic faith that she held so dear. Through her example, we have learned the power of prayer and the consolation of Mary’s maternal care. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy continues to live on through our own devotion to the Virgin Mary.