Today’s Reflection: Our Lady of the Way (Madonna della Strada)  

Our Lady of the Way,
stay with us when we grow weary of the journey;
for the road is long
and our hearts are weak.
Strengthen us with the patience and fortitude
to continue on
in pursuit of a whole and just world;
in pursuit of a whole and just self.
Come, be our guide.

Our Lady of the Way,
lead us when we cannot see the path.
Take us by the hand as a Mother;
whispering comfort in our ears,
steering us through the dark,
guarding us from the terrors of the night.
Infuse us with your courage,
with your refusal to bow to fear and the unknown.
For in you we find the Light that moves us forward.

Our Lady of the Way,
show us the mystery you revealed to Ignatius
so many years past:
the mystery of letting go.
That we would not cling to our packs nor our sandals nor our cloaks
but release to the path what the path requires.
Because for all that we lay down,
we pick up something greater;
we pick up freedom.

Our Lady of the Way

show us the way.
Amen.

Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a. m.

Note: The feast of Our Lady of the Way is celebrated May 24. The reference to ‘Ignatius’ in the text is St. Ignatius of Loyola SJ.