“ From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!” - Saint John Paul II. 

                As we continue to explore the different aspects of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s life as the Mother of God, our Mother in heaven, and the ultimate model of what it means to be a disciple, we come upon our next image mentioned in Ann Ball’s book: The Other Faces Of Mary: Stories, Devotions and Pictures of the Holy Virgin Around the World.  This next image of Mary is called Our Lady of Ladyewell.  The images and devotions surround this image of the Blessed Virgin Mary are a development from the title of Mary as “Our Lady of Martyrs” for there is a statue of this image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in England that is surrounded by relics from many different English Martyrs. 

                The shrine immediately became a popular destination for pilgrims in England when Catholicism became illegal thanks to laws promulgated by Henry VIII.  While many Catholics were martyred for their faith, others were simply fined heavy fines and even had to suffer the loss of their land as a result of their refusal to convert to Protestantism.   These poor farmers and peasants would often turn to Our Lady of Ladyewell for help.  Even today, Our Lady of Ladyewell is known as a great pilgrim destination from May to October.

As I reflect over the image of Our Lady of Ladyewell, I cannot help but begin to think of some of my favorite Catholic Saints.  These saints are often referred to as a group as the English Martyrs and include St. John Fisher, St. Thomas More, and St. Edmund Campion.  All St. John Fisher had to do was recognize King Henry VIII’s divorce and he would not only have gone free but probably would have received a place of honor in King Henry VIII’s new Church.  Instead Bishop Fisher was martyred.  St. Thomas More was a very high political official in the English government and he gave them all up in order to remain a man on integrity and a faithful Catholic.  St. Thomas More could not imagine being a part of a Church that did not also have the Sacraments.  St. Edmund Campion was a young man who under Queen Elizabeth was being groomed to be the Archbishop of Canterbury.  He could not reconcile his studies of the early Church fathers with what the Protestants were teaching and so he left England to become a Catholic Priest (A Jesuit).  He would later return to England to serve his fellow countrymen as a Catholic priest.   Eventually he was caught and executed for treason simply because he was a Catholic priest.  As I reflect upon their lives and the lives of other who live their faith under persecution, I am reminded about how blest that I currently am. 

                Reflecting on the English Martyrs and this image of Our Lady of Ladyewell also makes me realize that the Blessed Virgin Mary did not have an easy life either.  There were many moments of great sorrow in Mary’s life.  There is even a devotion to the seven major sorrows of the Blessed Virgin’s Life.  (1)The prophecy of Simeon - Luke 2:34, 35 (2) The flight into Egypt - Matthew 2:13, 14 (3) The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple - Luke 2: 43-45 (4) The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross. (5)The Crucifixion (6)The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross. & (7)
The burial of Jesus.

                Reflecting upon this idea a little deeper, I realize that the Blessed Virgin Mary gave up a comfortable, ordinary, average life in Nazareth to become the Mother of God.  If she had only married Joseph and had not become the Mother of God she would not have had to flee to Egypt to escape Herod, listen to Simeon and Anna predict her child’s death, see her son Crucified, etc.  Each day though Mary recommitted herself to her “yes” to be the Mother of God.  She never ran away from her responsibilities to Jesus or did she ever disowned Him. 

                Are we ready to follow the Blessed Virgin Mary’s example and say “yes” to God each and every day of our lives even if we know that our “yes” may result in us having to suffer for our faith? 
 
Mary, Queen of Martyrs, Prayer
Opening Prayer:
Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into your heart, pierced by so many swords, you welcome my poor soul.  Receive it as the companion of your sorrows at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus died for the redemption of the world.  With you, O sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer all the trials, contradictions, and infirmities which it shall please our Lord to send me. I offer them all to you in memory of your sorrows, so that every thought of my mind and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and of love for you.

Sweet mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to your divine Son, Jesus; keep me in his grace and assist me in my last agony, so that I may be able to meet you in heaven and to sing your glories. Amen.

Meditation:
In God’s presence consider… When I am in anguish, especially over the suffering of a loved one, does it comfort me to know that Mary can fully sympathize with my pain, and pray for me accordingly?

Closing Prayer:
Where can I flee for more secure shelter, amiable mother of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, than under the wings of your maternal protection