Mama Mary and Her Faithful Children: A Lifetime of Devotion, Nestled in Mama Mary’s Love.
From childhood prayers to life’s most challenging crossroads, Mama Mary has walked alongside Assumption alumnae, offering gentle guidance and unwavering comfort. For some, her presence was discovered in the quiet rhythm of family devotion; for others, in the rediscovery of faith during adulthood; and still for others, in the ordinary corners of work and home where her image becomes a daily reminder of God’s love.
Today, we listen to three Assumption women—from the High School Classes of 1960 and 1970 (one from Herran and another one from San Lorenzo) —who share how Mama Mary has been their intercessor, their inspiration, and
their faithful companion. Now in their season of ripened faith, they speak not only of memories but of enduring truths: that Mary’s love deepens with age, and that she continues to shape lives with her gentle, steadfast presence.
Mary, My Gentle Intercessor
By Conchitina Sevilla Bernardo, High School Class 1960
As a young girl at Assumption, my prayer life revolved around Jesus. Mary was always present in the background, but I was never a Marian devotee. That changed when I became a mother.
With an affectionate daughter and two mischievous sons who alternately exasperated me and showered me with kisses, I slowly began to understand: all that Mary was to Jesus, she was quietly becoming for me. In scraped knees, broken hearts, and small joys, she was there.
I turned to her with endless prayers for guidance, asking above all that she teach me how to love. Mary’s fidelity, devotion, and commitment to what is right became qualities I longed to imitate. Though I often fell short, I found comfort in knowing that the desire itself is enough—that wanting holiness and lifting that longing to God is a prayer in itself. With Mary as my intercessor, all is well.
🌸 Reflection:
Conchitina reminds us that devotion doesn’t always begin early; sometimes life itself leads us into Mary’s embrace. Even if you feel distant from her now, Mama Mary has a way of entering your story when you need her most.
Fidelity and Simplicity: Lessons from Mary
by Ginny Brion Garza, High School Class 1970 (Herran)
For me, devotion to Mama Mary was woven into family life. My great aunt wore white with a blue sash her whole life, a promise she made to Our Lady of Lourdes after my mother was healed from a childhood illness. That quiet witness left an indelible mark on me—it taught me about love, fidelity, and trust in Mama Mary.
In high school, I joined the Sodality of Mary and learned to rely on her for inspiration and guidance. Though I stumbled at times, I felt her patient presence, gently leading me
back to her Son. Years later, during the pandemic, I renewed my consecration to Mary through St. Louis de Montfort and was struck by how much she had always meant to me. That rediscovery rekindled my devotion.
Today, she inspires me to pray the Scriptural Rosary, to teach others about our faith, and to live by the motto etched in my heart: fidelity to duty, love of simplicity. Daily Mass grounds me, the Rosary keeps me centered, and Mama Mary’s embrace brings peace and unexpected joy.
🌸 Reflection:
Ginny’s story shows how devotion, once planted, can be rekindled and renewed across the years. Her wisdom is a reminder: promises made to God and Mama Mary are not about perfection—they are about faithfulness. Even when you falter, she gently leads you back.
Mary Amidst the Chaos of My Work Table
by Nannie Itchon Gonzales, High School Class 1970 (San Lorenzo)
Amidst receipts, reports, staff salaries, and daily conversations, there stands a 5-inch image of Our Lady on my work table. On one side is the Annunciation, and on the other, the Holy Family. That small icon reminds me that God is just a thought away and that I am never alone in the ups and downs of my daily life.
My friendship with Mary began 32 years ago with a pocketbook on Our Lady of Fatima. From there, she became less of a hand-me-down belief and more of a true
mother — someone I could confide in, cry to, and feel consoled by. I wear the Scapular medal, pray the Angelus, the nightly three Hail Mary’s, and teach my children to ask Mama Mary for their vocations as we pass her images around the house.
I remember praying the rosary with my mother during her last years, bedridden from a spinal injury. She passed away on a Saturday as we sang Salve Regina—and I knew then that Mama Mary was present, embracing her.
Even now, after all these years, my heart clings to Mary—my mother, my friend, my guide. She is never judgmental. She listens patiently. She does not criticize me for lack of order, but simply waits for me and walks with me throughout my day.
🌸 Reflection:
Nannie’s story draws Mary into the heart of ordinary life—amidst the ledgers, receipts, and daily worries. In her witness, we see that Mary is not distant, but deeply present, quietly inspiring order, peace, and love in the midst of everyday chaos.
A Gentle Lesson for All Generations
Together, these three stories echo a timeless truth: Mama Mary’s love is constant. We glimpse what it means to walk with Mama Mary across a lifetime. She is the gentle intercessor in grief, the model of fidelity in simplicity, and the patient companion in daily chaos.
Whether we discover her late, or walk with her from the start, she always draws us closer to her Son.
To the younger Old Girls—let Mama Mary be more than a figure in stained glass or a prayer you recite. Let her be your Mother. Open your heart to her, and she will give you the comfort of her embrace, the wisdom of her simplicity, and the courage to live faithfully.