In a recent General Audience, Pope Francis was talking about the Fourth Commandment: Honour your father and mother. The Pope reflected on the fact that some peoples’ parents aren’t always all that great at being parents. And when it comes to Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa, that was often pretty true. Nazaria was this holy, faith-filled girl who at a very young age heard the voice of God and declared that she would do everything she could to follow him as closely as possible. With this incredible faith pouring out of their little girl, you’d imagine that her parents would be inspired, right? Drawn into their own piety and dedication to God? Not so much. Her parents and her family were often sick and tired of her prayers and devotions. At one point, they even grounded her from going to Mass. The situation easily could’ve turned her off from church and God, something that happens to a lot of kids today. But for Nazaria Ignacia, it was the opposite. Her faith stayed strong.
It stayed so strong, in fact, that she joined the Institute of Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly and took the name Nazaria Ignacia de Santa Teresa de Jesús. She went to Bolivia and did all kinds of good work with the poor and elderly. And then, when she needed something new, Sister Nazaria founded the Congregation of the Missionary Crusaders of the Church to do even more, catechizing the people and helping those in need.
And for me, here’s where it gets really interesting. When Sister Nazaria started that new order, she was named superior and became Mother Nazaria. Now, with the way that she’d been treated by her own mother and father, you might think she’d have a tough time really connecting to that role as Mother. But the reality could not have been any different. Nazaria was known to be a wonderful Mother, showing great love and also always recommending that the superiors of the order take a compassionate, maternal approach to the Sisters under their care, remembering their role as Mother of the house.
Nazaria took what had been a difficult situation for her and completely turned it around. And as she’s canonized a saint on October 14th, that’s something for us to really aspire to. Whether it’s the failings of our parents, our friends, or just the world in general, we can all try our best to not get dragged down by what’s been done to us. Instead, we should try our best to do better, to be better. To imitate the mercy of Jesus and to follow the nurturing outlook of his mother, Mary. Just like Nazaria Ignacia de Santa Teresa de Jesús.
A Reflection on Saint Nazaria Ignacia de Santa Teresa de Jesús – Canonized October 14, 2018 toronto raptors vs milwaukee bucks | |
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