Lessons From a Mother's Heart to Her College-Bound Daughter: The Value of Your Catholic Faith

We will be helping our youngest daughter, Grace, make the first-time move on campus in just a few days.  In all the excitement and chaos, how do I slow time to put into words she will hear, the things so important for her to know and understand?  Holy Spirit, come.  Fill my heart that I might convey these lessons that are monopolizing my worried heart; and permeate her heart to hear what You want her to hear. 

Of all the “frets” that swirl around in my mind as I count the days til your departure, the fear of you possibly losing your faith is on the top of the list.  I am not alone, as so many parents grieve this hard reality.  The Church is hemorrhaging young people.  Young, “enlightened” men and women are so easily becoming “nones”- no religious affiliation.  What words can I say to convince you of the utmost importance your Catholic faith is in your life?  How can I express how agonizing it is to think of you, when not under our roof and influence, choosing to let go of this one thing necessary?   

I fear the possibility of you starving to death.  I don’t mean sustenance for your physical wellbeing, but more importantly the Food for your spiritual life.  The Holy Eucharist is nonnegotiable.  Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the source and summit; He is everything. He must have that place in your life.   

The frustration comes then, because I am not so sure you really value what I have to say on these types of matters.  I see it in you when I try any kind of conversation about our Catholic faith.  You aren’t that interested and I’m afraid when left to your own choice and freedoms you will give it up.  I know.  It’s inconvenient.  You’ll most likely be the only one going.  It’s so much nicer to sleep in.  You’ll have tests to study for, laundry to do, friends to meet up with.  They are all louder and seemingly more important. 

How can I prove otherwise?  I can only share what Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has done in my life. That’s easy for me. Every good thing.  Everything I have- my excellent marriage, my beautiful children, and home, and network of supportive family and friends, and health, and career, and joys, and possibilities… they all come from the wellspring of grace that is found nowhere else but in Jesus, truly present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity Who I frequently receive.  The good stuff, the hard stuff, the stuff that will, inevitably in life, cause you to hunch over from the sheer weight of the cross cannot be carried without Him.  Trust me.  Trust me. 

I must let you go now.  It’s time but know I will be on my knees everyday praying.  The years have flown, and my daily influence, the job we took so seriously in raising you has come to an end.  My persistent prayer before the Throne of Grace and Mercy is for you to choose to live your Catholic faith not because mom and dad are making you, but because you know how important He is in your life.   He is the One Thing Necessary. 

Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I adore You!  I commend to Your care with a full and grateful heart the daughter You gave us to raise.  Please, Jesus, hide her in Your Sacred Heart. Protect her from all harm and temptation.  Infuse in her the grace necessary to choose to live her life with You as the most important part.  Jesus, I trust in You. 

Hail, Mary…