It is a mother whose gentle care was ever round you, whose arms were open wide that you might nestle on her bosom and tell a mother’s heart your joys and childish sorrows. Well now do you recall the thousand little ways that love for you was shown, the welcome smile, the kindly word, the soft kiss implanted on your cheek.

COMMENT: Today the Church celebrates the feast of Blessed Eurosia Fabris Barban who reached sanctity through fidelity to her vocation as a mother. Mamma Rosa, as she was called, was born in Italy 1866 and died in 1932. She was from a humble and poor family, and had only 2 years of formal schooling. When she was 20 years old, one of her neighbours died, leaving behind 2 small children under 2 years old. Mamma Rosa took them in and raised her as her own. Soon after this she got married and had 9 children of her own. Her home became a gathering place for the children of her town. In addition to raising 11 children, she became a Franciscan tertiary and was renowned for her care of the poor and sick of the region and through it all managed to maintain a deep prayer life.

There is something refreshing about Blessed Eurosia, as there is about Fr Doyle and many of the other modern examples of holiness – they found their holiness in the midst of ordinary activities. Yes, the Lord may well have worked many marvels of grace in their souls (this is especially evident in the case of Fr Doyle), but their lives do not exhibit the physical miracles that are not inherently necessary for sanctity. As such, it becomes easier for us to imagine that we can follow in their footsteps, if we just had the courage, trust and generosity to do so…

Let us pray today in a special way to Blessed Eurosia for mothers, that they may be faithful to their calling to create genuine communities of charity and love in the midst of a world that increasingly devalues the importance of the family.