Attention everyone, as we celebrate the Feast of the Virgin Mary tonight, I would like to honor her by giving a speech about how important she is to me. Mary has impacted my life greatly. Her importance to me is greater than any of the saints. She has inspired me and helped me in several different ways. I see her as my mother who is always looking out for me.
Mary has guided me through a rough time in my life. When I was in fourth grade, my grandmother sadly passed away. My family still wanted to look out for her even after she left this world. One way that we supported her was by doing a nine day novena. I had never heard of that, but was willing to see what it was about. Every week on Tuesday, we got together in her house and prayed the rosary. That was the general idea of it, but there was more to it than that. Before and after the rosary, we shared snacks, stories, opinions, and ideas. We also sang traditional hispanic songs. These days allowed us to open up to each other and help each other deal with the grief of my grandmother’s passing. As Pope Francis said, “Mary, our Mother, sustains us in moments of darkness, difficulty, and apparent defeat.” I would find comfort in praying for my grandmother to my other mother Mary. That was my first close experience with Mary because I learned how to pray the rosary. She also helped draw my family together through the power of prayer.
Mary inspires me to follow in her, and Jesus’ footsteps in my daily life. While she was on Earth, she endured the many arduous obstacles that crossed her path. From running away to Nazareth, to having to see her son crucified. She has faced adversity and inspiringly prevailed. Knowing that she could overcome such grueling hardships makes me want to be as courageous as her. That is why, when I feel overwhelmed and need some strength, I pray to her and the Holy Spirit.
At an extremely young age, Mary was faced with the most important decision in the history of this world. The Angel Gabriel came to her one night and said that she would conceive and bear a son. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. Mary could’ve easily declined because it was a large task to handle. Luckily, we have an amazing mother who accepted this honor, and accepted the Lord’s Will for her to give birth to our Savior. Mary carried our Messiah, Jesus Christ, in her womb for nine months. She did everything she could to give him an incredible life. She raised him kindly and cared for him with so much love. She helped to make him the man that saved the entire world from our sins. Because of her extreme kindness, she encourages me to do the same for others by treating them the way they would like to be treated. I have been impacted by her to accept God every single day through prayer and reflection.
Thank you all for listening to my tribute to our mother Mary.
Emilio Echeverry
St. Patrick High School – DMSF Class of 2026
Image by Jo Justino from Pixabay