Blessed Mother’s love for all is celebrated during archdiocesan event

Carlos Ramirez, left, records a video of his son, Carlos Roberto Ramirez of Laredo, Texas, right, as Roberto sings a song during the archdiocesan “Morning with Mary” event at St. Jude Church in Indianapolis on Oct. 10. (Photo by Natalie Hoefer)

By Natalie Hoefer

The atmosphere of St. Jude Church in Indianapolis changed throughout the morning of Oct. 10.

At times, the approximately 100 people present from parishes around the archdiocese sang, prayed the rosary, clapped, listened and laughed—all in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

They were there for the archdiocese’s fifth annual “Morning with Mary” event, held each year in October as the Church celebrates the Month of the Rosary.

“When you feel a sense of unity—and I present a lot—you’re grateful for that,” Carlos Roberto Ramirez commented to the crowd about their oneness in worship.

Ramirez, a bilingual singer, musician and speaker from the Diocese of Laredo, Texas, led the event, along with his father Carlos Ramirez.

Before their witness talks, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson welcomed those present. Asking them to hold their rosaries high, he called for God’s grace upon them then walked through the church blessing the beads with holy water.

The senior Carlos offered the first talk, primarily in Spanish, in part sharing about his wife Raquel, who died of cancer on March 28, 2019.

He ended his talk by teaching the congregation a song with hand motions—resulting in as much laughter as singing as they tried to keep up with the gestures.

Carlos Roberto presented next, explaining he goes by “Roberto” because “all of my brothers have Carlos as their first name.”

He said he heard about the annual Morning with Mary event from archdiocesan director of catechesis Ken Ogorek two years ago when the two attended the same retreat in Ohio.

“I think that’s so beautiful for an archdiocese to come together and praise Mary,” Roberto told those gathered.

He interspersed songs throughout his talk, noting his love for music came from his mother, who was also a Catholic singer and songwriter.

“The Sunday before she died, I went to the foot of her bed in prayer, crying,” he said. His mom woke up and asked why he was crying.

“I said, ‘I’m scared for you, for your life.’ She told me, ‘Be not afraid. I love you. I’m here.’ That is most likely what Mary said to Jesus at the foot of the cross: ‘I love you. I’m here.’

“That morning I felt my mom’s comfort, and my Mother’s comfort.”

Roberto spoke of adoption as children of heaven, not only through Christ but also through Mary.

“The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are one,” he said. “You can’t separate them.”

Roberto reflected on the role of Mary as Christ’s mother and the many times she was there for him.

“Who was at the center of his first miracle?” he asked. “Jesus depended on Mary as a baby and throughout his life. When we’re faced with challenges, we need to pray, ‘Mary, be a mom to me now.’ ”

Roberto encouraged those present to “let yourselves be loved by Mary. Don’t be afraid to ask for her help. Ask her to run with you to Jesus. Run to Jesus holding her hand.”

Before he closed his talk and invited the congregation to pray the rosary, Roberto offered a comment for all members of the Church in central and southern Indiana about the annual event honoring the Blessed Mother.

“It’s a beautiful thing your archdiocese has,” he said. “Never miss a ‘Morning with Mary.’ ” †