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Sr. Angela’s story

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When I asked our sisters to be guest bloggers Sr. Angela Hibbard sent me this post about her journey to a relationship with Mary. I think she should have her own blog.

Waiting for the Word

I’m an IHM sister, so theoretically I should have a strong devotion to Mary.  I must confess, though,  it’s been long in coming.  I should have the spiritual “genetics” for it however.  My mom’s name was Mary Grace, and she had a unique relationship with the Mother of God.  Here’s a prime example: after eight years of waiting for a child, she turned Mary’s statue to the wall and said, “I’m not celebrating your son’s birthday any more until I have a child.”  Roughly 10 months later I was born and was named Angela Marie.

I didn’t hear that story until I was an adult and already in the Congregation, but my mom’s very robust devotion hadn’t come to me with her genes.  At least I trusted my instinct not to push a grace that just wasn’t there.  My turning point came when I was asked to give a homily for the feast of the Immaculate Conception at the local Jesuit novitiate.

The Gospel of the day is the story of the Annunciation, and Mary’s response, “Be it done to me according to your word,” became the core of my preparation. Her profound readiness reminded me somehow of the dark rich earth of my native northern Ohio.  In the late fall after the harvest, my mom, who was a gardener, would look at the empty fields and say, “Aren’t they beautiful!”  She saw them waiting for whatever seed fell into them – just like Mary, God’s rich dark earth ready for the Seed.

The word “humus” and “humility” have the same Latin root.  That image of the humble Mary, saying “yes” to whatever God would ask, has stayed with me and has slowly grown into a still-young but sturdy plant.  Mary, help me always to say a generous “yes” like you.



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