Jesus said, If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it (Mt 16:24-25).

Father in heaven, pour out your Holy Spirit upon me by whom I consecrate my vocation of motherhood to you. I ask for the grace to be made a true follower of Christ through this sacred vocation. I implore you that not only would I rejoice in the extraordinary blessing of being a mother, but also that all the sacrifices, trials, and moments of self-denial in my life as a mother would be transformed by your indwelling into a sanctified offering, pleasing in your sight. Give me the grace to take up my cross and follow your Son, Jesus, in my daily tasks of motherhood. May the little and big crosses I face today be the way I lose my life for the sake of Jesus, the way I become a saint, and the way I find intimate union with Christ now and forever.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, as I reflect on your humility (Phil. 2), I humbly ask:

That as a mother, you would fill me with compassion, sympathy, and that you would make my joy complete; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, you would help me and my children be of one accord and have a strong bond of love; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, you would help me approach others with a humble spirit; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, you would help me attend to the interests of others with the strength that God supplies; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, you would give me the same mind as you, who emptied yourself and humbled yourself; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, you would give me the same mind as you, who became obedient even to the point of death on a cross; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That, just as you are exalted, so too, as a mother I also would be an exalted servant in your eyes in whatever spiritual way you have ordained for me; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, I would work out my salvation in fear and trembling; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, I would invite God to be at work in me, enabling me to do all I do for his good pleasure; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, I would do all things without murmuring or arguing; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, I would be blameless and innocent, a child of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.
That as a mother, I would shine like a star in the world; Holy Spirit, pour out your grace.

Jesus, grant that none of my service in the life of being a mother will be in vain. Help me to make my life a gift for your sake. As I am poured out as a libation for my family, let me be glad and rejoice that I have found the way you have laid out for me to imitate Christ. May my many efforts for my children become part of the building of your kingdom. Give me the grace to offer my life in its entirety to you, Lord, so that in union with Christ, I may be allotted a portion with the great (Is 53:12), that I may be high and lifted up in your sight (Is 53:13). Amen. 

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for me.
St. Anne . . .
St. Elizabeth . . .
St. Perpetua . . .
St. Felicity . . .
St. Macrina the Elder . . .
St. Emmelia of Caesaria . . .
St. Helena . . .
St. Monica . . .
St. Bridget . . .
St. Rita . . .
St. Elizabeth of Hungary . . .
St. Zelie . . .
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton . . .
St. Gianna Beretta Molla . . .

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Kathryn Rombs, Ph.D., founder of Mighty Is Her Call, is a grateful wife and mother of six. Her family currently resides near Rome, Italy where she is taking theology courses at the Angelicum. Find out more at www.kathrynrombs.com.