Dear Mothers and Grandmothers,

In the parable of the ten virgins, (Mathew 25:1-13) our Lord Jesus describes ten young women waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. Our Lord Jesus uses this parable to remind us of the need to remain watchful and to have enough oil in our lamps. The oil is the grace in our soul that flows from the sacraments.

As mothers and grandmothers, you are called to imitate the five virgins by keeping the lamp of your faith, hope and love burning especially as you pray for your children and grandchildren.

The oil of the lamps in the gospel can be interpreted as a symbol of God’s grace in our soul, the grace of the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity given to us in the sacrament of Baptism. The grace of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit received in the sacrament of confirmation. The grace that flows from the sacrament of reconciliation preparing us to approach the altar of the Eucharist. The grace that flows from the anointing of the sick. The grace that flows from the sacrament of marriage. The grace that flows from reading the word of God, knowing that knowledge of God turns into light and light into love for Him. The grace that flows from praying the rosary and so many sacrifices you do for your children. The grace that flows from persevering in your own vocation which makes you spiritually ready for the final wedding feast of heaven.

By virtue of our Baptism our soul has been filled to the brim with the oil of the Holy Spirit. We have all been invited to the heavenly feast of Heaven, so through the sacraments we must remain vigilant and prepare like those five prudent virgins in the gospel waiting for the coming of the Divine Bridegroom.

Mothers and Grandmothers, like those five prudent virgins you must keep the oil of prayer burning in your souls. Take the example of St. Monica who for many years prayed for the conversion of her son Augustine. She remained faithful in prayer, trusting in God. She is a beautiful example of a mother’s mission to pray for the spiritual well-being of her children.

I want to encourage all of you to never stop praying for your children. Keep your lamps burning, persevere in prayer for them, keep entrusting them to the Blessed Mother, keep placing them by name in Her maternal hands. Keep forming them in the faith and teach them to stay close to the sacraments.

With Blessings,

+Fr. Gabriel Barrera.