THE HEART OF A MOTHER
Recently I was at a doctor’s appointment on what turned out to be the former maternity floor of the local hospital – the place where my son was born many years ago. I was instantly whisked back in time to those long hours of labour, the incredible moment of his birth just minutes after midnight on a winter’s night, and the soft lamplight that made the scene beautiful and idyllic.
In that little bubble, time stood still as we basked in the glory of it all. (As our first visitor said in awe the next day, “Now I know how the shepherds felt.”) I was amazed that I was now a mother.
Motherhood is thrilling from the very start – it’s also complicated, messy and exhausting. We may have no idea if we’re doing it right, especially when we’re sleep-deprived or navigating a child’s unexpected health or behavioural issue. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or incompetent.
For some, motherhood is elusive. Month after month of disappointment, expensive and debilitating hormonal treatments, or the heartbreak of miscarriage or stillbirth fly in the face of the desire to mother. It can all feel so random and unfair. For others, their mother is unable to care for them in a healthy way, which can cause much grief and long-term harm.
Yet, whatever our situation, mother figures arise to support us – an aunt, a neighbour, a teacher, a friend… We may find ourselves taking on that role for people in our lives, too. It seems that all of us can mother in some way. In fact, one definition of the word “mother” is a kind of fermented flour and water used as a starter to produce more dough. What a poignant image of nourishing and feeding in an ongoing way. We can all have the heart of a mother revealed through our life-giving actions.
In Pope Francis’ prayer for the 8th Station of the Cross, released just days before his death in April 2025, we find these words of petition:
You filled the Church’s history with holy women:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You disdained arrogance and domination:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You embraced and consoled the tears of mothers:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You made women the messengers of the resurrection:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You inspire new charisms and missions in the Church:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
Happy Mother’s Day to all who mother!
Anne Louise Mahoney is managing editor of Novalis. She is the editor of Never-Ending Love: Sharing Stories, Prayers and Comfort for Miscarriage and Infant Loss and Pocket Book of Hope and is the author of I Am and I Hope, part of the Seeds of Faith series for young children.
