A story of conversion and devotion – World Grandparents Day
All my life, I have prayed to Our Lady to protect my family and me. Now, at 86 years old, I can confidently say that my life has been a wonderful testimony of God’s faithful love and Our Lady’s powerful intercession.
I was introduced to the Catholic faith by a friend early in my life. She invited me to attend novenas at the Church of St. Alphonsus regularly, and from then on, I developed a deep relationship with Our Lady. With my mother’s support, I continued exploring the faith and eventually got baptised.
My conversion and life as a practicing Catholic sparked an interest in the faith within my whole family, leading them to be baptised as well. This experience made me realise the unique beauty of the Catholic faith and inspired me to share it with others.
When I began my career as an educator in a Catholic school, I was profoundly moved by the dedication of the religious nuns and brothers in shaping the children’s lives. I felt God’s presence working through them as they fulfilled their missions in the schools. Their commitment inspired me so much that my husband and I made a conscious effort to raise our children with the same spirit of making Christ a priority in our lives. We educated them about Catholicism at home and ensured they attended Catholic schools, where they flourished.
When my daughter got married, the couple was blessed with two children, Seraphina and Elliot. I cherished the time spent with my grandchildren during our visits to the couple’s home. On weekends, my daughter’s family and I would attend Mass together and spend the rest of the day enjoying each other’s company. I thank Mother Mary for hearing my prayers, as both Seraphina and Elliot were raised in a household where Catholicism is deeply practiced and both kids attended Canossa Catholic Primary School.
In 2018, my family and I faced a very challenging year. My daughter was going through a difficult phase in her marriage, and I was diagnosed with two types of cancer.
The doctors advised me to undergo a major surgery as part of my treatment. Given my advanced age, recovering from such a procedure would be an additional challenge. Nevertheless, we decided to proceed with the surgery, praying for the best outcome. While I was fighting for my health, my daughter needed her mother’s support to navigate her difficult times. Additionally, she needed someone to care for Seraphina and Elliot while she worked through her marital issues.
Once again, I called upon Our Lady to aid in my recovery so that I could watch over my grandchildren and guide them through this challenging period. Miraculously, in just two weeks after my surgery, I was back on my feet.
Although my daughter’s marriage did not work out, I was healthy enough to help take care of my grandchildren. I moved in with my daughter and my grandchildren, and as a 3 generational family, we leaned on each other for emotional and physical support, to get through our individual battles.
As I prayed to Mother Mary, thanking her for the strength she bestowed on me to sail through this stormy sea, I had this strong urging to give back to society. I began volunteering at Canossaville Student Care, where both Seraphina and Elliot attended after-school care. Teaching Math has always been my passion, and I could feel the gentle nudging of Mother Mary prompting me to help the children at Canossaville who are weak in the subject. In doing so, I was blessed with the opportunity to be present for my grandchildren at student care. This service was my way of expressing gratitude for the blessings God had bestowed upon my family and me.
Seraphina and Elliot are good-natured children, and I feel incredibly blessed to be a supportive grandparent and watch them blossom into wonderful children. It warms my heart to see them grow in faith despite the challenges they have faced at such a young age.
I can only attribute these boundless blessings in my life to my faith in Mother Mary, who has been my pillar of strength. Although my life has its challenges and pitfalls, I know I can always count on Mother Mary for strength and courage.
Happy World Grandparent’s Day!