MOTHER

n Mother's Day in 2006, the last Mother's Day before Our Lady of Vilnius was locked,  Father Eugene gave the final blessing.  He stood in his customary spot on the rough wooden floorboards, a spot worn as thin as a newborn's fontanel.

He looked out over our motley assemblage of sinners and saints and started by blessing the mothers among us.  He moved on to add the mothers in spirit:  the caretakers and teachers, the artists and dreamers. He continued to expand the circle.  By the time he finished, the blessing included the whole world.

This is why Our Lady of Vilnius lives among the petitions that we hold in the silence of our hearts.