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Blessed Virgin Mary, Blog, diabetes, Holly Michael, Jake Byrne, juvenile diabetes, Mother of God, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Draft 2012, type 1 diabetes, Virgin Mary, Wisconsin Badgers, www.writingstraight.com
The story behind the photograph: My husband and I were staying with our friend, Father Joseph Matthew (administrator), at a quiet private novitiate in Rosemead, California when we discovered this image on the courtyard sidewalk. The date was January 1st, 2012 (feast of the Solemnity of Virgin Mary, Mother of God). Our son, Jake Byrne (Wisconsin Badger) was playing in the 2012 Rose Bowl in nearby Pasadena. The rose (notice the rose theme) is a symbol for the Virgin Mary, who is also called the Mystical Rose.
Father Joseph Matthew, whom my husband has known since childhood, had been watering potted plants on the sidewalk. He testified that the water, staining the sidewalk, had formed this image above. The circular mark in the center bottom was where the pot rested.
We were in Rosemead because of Jake’s football game. Jake had started for the Wisconsin Badgers for the last four years and after the game, he would leave college and enter into training camp to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Jake, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, has worked really hard to get to this point. He’s always been a determined, thoughtful, kind, and faithful son. (You can read more about Jake’s determination here.)
Back in January, standing before this image of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, I prayed to God, asking Mary to also pray and intercede for a blessing for Jake as well as blessings for other loved ones.
If we can ask our friends to pray for us, and we, as Christians believe in eternal life, then I see no reason why we can’t also ask the Virgin Mary to pray before the throne of God, for our intentions. She, after all, bore the Son of God in her womb. And not only was she a follower of Christ, she watched him suffer and die an excruciating death on the cross for humanity. She felt the pain a mother would naturally feel for her son. She must love us all so very much, to stand by and watch something I could not imagine watching, especially if it was my son. I hold the Virgin Mary dear to my heart and consider her my Mother in Heaven, a saint above all saints.
Tomorrow begins the NFL draft and it goes until Saturday. We are hoping for a victory, for Jake to be drafted.
I am a mother, praying for her son. Surely, the Virgin Mary understands that.
Go Jake! We love you!
*Follow up: Jake signed with the New Orleans Saints. How fitting!
Praying along with you – fantastic photo. Don’t you love it when God meets us where we are?
Yep! God is awesome!
Beautiful pictures of a mother’s love-Mary’s for Jesue and yours for Jake. Praying for Jake’s purpose and destiny.
Thanks Emma. As a diabetic, he hopes to have a platform to write a book for parent’s of diabetic kids
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful, mystical story. May what you ask for be granted.
Thanks!!
I always love this story of the water-mark. When I saw it before, I thought it had stained a wall. Your son is so tall and strong, I’m sure your prayers are heard.
My husband and son were talking about the draft last night. I’ll have to ask them if they’ve heard of your son. Best wishes to him with the draft.
One again hope Jake gets picked up in the draft.
He’ll be in my prayers!!! I’ll be watching for his name 🙂
What an amazing and beautiful discovery. I believe we’re sent signs like that all the time to remind us that God is always with us.
~Lynn
http://www.acommonsea.com
Definitely will pray for your son! How exciting and anxious you all must feel! I will look for his name in the draft!
Lord, work out your will in Jake’s life! Get him in where he can testify of you!
Amen!
V for Victory would have made a great post for Jake!
Yes, it would. Wonder how I can use X or Y in this…we should know by Saturday.
Thanks for sharing my thoughts are with you and your son.
Great story! And good luck to Jake!
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When our twinnie girls were born they were 2.12oz and 4.4oz. Both sick little girls and me well…
My mother was the huge VMB fan, me not so much for many, many reasons….blog posts maybe to explain.
Anyway. She was in the NICU one night, my hubby and I had gone down to grab something to eat, check up with the Babysitter, and have some unwind time; when we came back up I could see my Mom praying with rosary in hand, as we got closer I could her saying this prayer:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
It is the only Marian prayer I “like”.
That’s really nice…she’s the mother of Jesus…chosen by God…surely she has some clout in Heaven. My mom was anti-Mary, and it took me some time to embrace her, but I’m glad I did.
Mother Mary sculpture found on the shores of Jaffa Israel, if you would like to be part of it view the link, I am searching for a good home for such a treasure