We’re all dealing with something. Life is challenging. At times, it can even feel insurmountable. But regardless of our trials, we can find no better refuge than Mary’s arms.

Our Blessed Mother is with us in our difficulties. She wants to wrap her arms around us and give us her help because she understands our challenges. Her life, too, was filled with sorrows. As a young woman, she had to travel to Bethlehem while nine months pregnant, only to discover that her Divine Son would have to be born in a cold stable. Later, she had to pack her family’s meager belongings and flee to Egypt. One of our traditions tells us that as they were escaping the slaughter of the innocents, the Holy Family sought safety in a cave. And there, amidst Herod’s murderous plans, Jesus took refuge in Mary’s arms. It’s said that as she nursed Him, a drop of milk fell to the ground, and the yellow stones within the cave turned white. What had started as a place of earthly protection became sacred ground. Not long after, the early Christians built a church over this spot, and from that time until today, women have prayed to Our Lady of the Milk, asking for her intercession in conceiving children. Thousands of miracles have occurred because of those prayers. And just as important, Mary shows us the significance of seeking refuge in her arms.

Whenever we turn to her in our needs, pour out our hearts to her, and ask for her assistance, our Blessed Mother puts her arms around us and brings calm to chaos, hope to turmoil, and comfort to distress.

One example of this occurred in the area now known as Mexico City—where, for generations, countless Indians had been enslaved and sacrificed to the Aztec gods. People lived in fear, as tens of thousands of them, including children, were killed every year atop the temple pyramids. But then Our Lady appeared and brought a cloak of roses and her portrait imprinted on the fabric (that science still can’t explain). She also brought an end to the bloodshed and a promise of comfort to anyone who sought her protection and help. While Our Lady spoke to St. Juan Diego, her words are meant for us, as well.

Hear and let it penetrate into your heart:
Let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you.
Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.
Am I not here who am your mother?
Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?
Is there anything else that you need?

She, herself, tells us that when we turn to her as our Mother, she will hold us “in the crossing of [her] arms.” And she’s proven that time and again.

Approximately 300 hundred years later, in a country that was war-torn from revolution and the brutal murders of thousands of people, Our Lady once again brought her calming presence. In a quiet convent in Paris, she appeared to St. Catherine Labouré three times. In the third apparition, Mary stood with her foot crushing the head of Satan (Gen. 3:15) and gave St. Catherine the design of the Miraculous Medal, saying that that everyone who wears “this blessed medal around their neck, shall receive special graces from God through me.” The image on the Miraculous Medal is of Mary, with her arms extended in a gesture of blessing and graces emanating from the rings on her fingers. Here, she shows us that whoever seeks refuge in her arms cannot help but receive graces, as well.

Another example occurred in Ireland during the Great Hunger. More than one million people died in a six-year span, and at least another million emigrated to other countries.[1]  When Mary appeared in the village of Knock in 1879, she didn’t speak a word. Instead, she came to be with the people who had endured these trials but kept steadfast in their faith. Standing with St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, and the Lamb of God, Mary’s arms were bent in prayer as her eyes gazed heavenward. In the two hours that passed, more than 20 people witnessed this event, young and old, alike – and at least one farmer saw the unique light in the sky from as far as a half mile away. In the prayerful silence, hope was restored to the people who had endured so much tragedy, and their faith was confirmed. In this apparition we see that whenever we’re in Mary’s arms, we’re drawn deeper into prayer.

So whatever you’re facing right now, turn to our Blessed Mother. Pour out your heart to her, ask for her assistance, and seek refuge in her arms. She’ll give you comfort. She’ll give you hope. And she’ll give you her peace and her Son. Is there anything else that you need?

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