On December 8, the Catholic Church observes the Immaculate Conception of Mary, which celebrates Mary's preservation from the stain of original sin from her very conception. As Catholics, we hold our traditions dear and we commemorate various events in the lives of Jesus, Mary and the saints as a means of weaving together the very fabric of our faith tapestry.
Non-Catholics often criticize these traditions as "worshipping" Mary and the saints, indicating that we somehow give God less than His due when we observe these feast days; however, this is not the case. Just as we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other important events in the life of a family, so Catholics honor and celebrate the significant events in the life of the Church.
The presence of Mary has been a significant one in my life, considering the circumstances of my birth and adoption. When I was an infant, I lived at a home for unwed mothers and their babies prior to the time of my adoption. I was baptized at the age of just two weeks old on May 13--the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. Years later, I was confirmed on this same day! I have always felt that Mary has been a special Mother to me, especially when I did not have one.
One of the reasons I wrote my children's book Hoppin' John Soup & Turtle Wax was to portray adoptive families in a positive and lighthearted manner, while giving the adopted characters a chance to discover their own identities over the course of the novel, taking readers with them on their journey.
I think one thing adoptees struggle with (myself included) is a perceived lack of connection, a poorly-formed sense of identity, and a longing for a deep mother-child bond that sometimes does not exist as it should. The good news for Catholics is that we have that in our Blessed Mother Mary, and this author wants to offer love and veneration today and every day ... and a simple "thank you" for her special presence in my life.
