Normally every year during the month of August, you begin to hear whispers of “back to school”. But this August everything has changed. It is last March since the schools closed. It is no longer whispers but long conversations on getting our schools open, getting in place all the safety requirements and it is a busy time getting ready.

On Saturday (August 15th) we had the feast of the Assumption of Mary and on Friday coming (21st) we have the feast day of Our Lady Of Knock. There will be many prayers directed to Mary asking for guidance, protection, direction and safety during these difficult times.

There is huge devotion to Mary all over the world and she is hugely popular. But it is also fair to say that the greatest disservice we have done to Mary down through the years, is to have put her on a pedestal as if she is far removed from our world and lives. It is our loss if we see her as distant or irrelevant. Mary is especially close to our every experience. She is a truly great friend to have as we journey through life.

Mary is close not just to the good stuff in our lives but especially close to our own struggles, setbacks and disappointments. She experienced many in her life and even during the darkest of moments, she still put her trust in God. Mary’s feast day reminds us that we can learn to trust even when all hope seems lost. Her feast day takes on even more significance during this Covid 19 pandemic.