I was used to driving on dusty country backroads. In fact, I loved them because they signaled to me that an adventure had commenced. I pulled up to a modest home and was greeted by a huge sheep dog. A grey habited sister met me at the door and my discernment with SOLT began.
The weekend was full of prayer, service, and great conversation. I was at peace in the rhythm of religious life and could see myself in that community, but God didn’t call me there for vocational reasons. Rather, He called me there for a different sort of adventure, something quite mysterious.
One afternoon, while in prayer, He led my mind’s eye into a round room with latticed windows. The interior was a well-lit and cozy canvas yurt (similar to a teepee or a wigwam). As I was scanning the space, I was encircled by Mary’s mantle to dwell there with her, and I wasn’t alone. In the center of the room was God, the Holy Trinity, “floating” much like an orb (sphere), as best as my human prayer imagination could perceive. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit united in one space dwelt deep in Mary’s core and I was standing before Him soaking Him in. I felt peace, awe, and wonder.
More than ten years later I am still unpacking this great mystery of God, the Most Holy Trinity, which we celebrate today. It is one of the most fundamental dogmas of Christianity and one that we have no access to without His gift of revelation. I don’t understand it. I cannot comprehend it, but in regards to God’s revelation to me that day, I am overwhelmed by the fact that He chose to gather us unto Himself under Mary’s mantle. He destined His self revelation to be tied up with her.
I still don’t know why God gave me that image, but I am grateful and want to make every use of the gift. Most of all, I simply want to dwell there with Him. I want to be in that sacred space and let my soul rest in Him under Mary’s watch. My prayer for you is that today’s solemnity would inspire you to meditate on the Most Holy Trinity’s unity with Mary. I hope that you ask her to gather you under her mantle so that you may also dwell there with Him.
Estaba acostumbrada a manejar por caminos rurales polvorientos. La verdad es que me encantaban porque me indicaban que había comenzado una aventura. Me detuve frente a una casa modesta y me recibió un enorme perro pastor. Una hermana con hábito gris me recibió en la puerta y allí empezó mi discernimiento con la orden religiosa SOLT.
El fin de semana estuvo lleno de oración, servicio y conversaciones maravillosas. Estaba en paz con el ritmo de la vida religiosa y podía verme en esa comunidad, pero Dios no me llamó allí por razones vocacionales. Más bien, me llamó allí para un tipo diferente de aventura, algo bastante misterioso.
Una tarde, mientras estaba en oración, Dios me dirigió la mente hacia una habitación redonda con ventanas enrejadas. El interior era una yurta de lona bien iluminada y acogedora (semejante a un tipi o wigwam). Mientras exploraba el espacio, estaba rodeada por el manto de María para morar allí con ella, y no estaba sola. En el centro de la habitación estaba Dios, la Santísima Trinidad, “flotando” como un orbe (esfera), hasta donde mi imaginación humana de oración podía percibir. Dios Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo se unieron en un espacio y habitaron en lo profundo de la zona media de María y yo estaba de pie frente a Él, absorbiéndolo. Sentí paz, asombro y maravilla.
Más de diez años después, todavía estoy desentrañando este gran misterio de Dios, la Santísima Trinidad, que celebramos hoy. Es uno de los dogmas más fundamentales del cristianismo y uno al que no tenemos acceso sin Su don de revelación. No lo entiendo. No puedo comprenderlo, pero con respecto a lo que Dios me reveló ese día, estoy abrumada por el hecho de que eligió reunirnos con Él bajo el manto de María. Determinó que Su autorrevelación estuviera ligada a ella.
Todavía no sé por qué Dios me dio esa imagen, pero estoy agradecida y quiero hacer todo el uso posible de ese don. Sobre todo, simplemente quiero morar allí con Él. Quiero estar en ese espacio sagrado y dejar que mi alma descanse en Él bajo la mirada de María. Mi oración por ti es que la solemnidad de hoy te inspire a meditar sobre la unidad de la Santísima Trinidad con María. Espero que le pidas a Ella que te rodee bajo su manto para que tú también puedas morar allí con Él.
Former NPS Park Ranger, Catholic educator, and Youth Minister, Melissa Lucca now spends her days evangelizing family and neighbors as a stay-at-home mom. She holds an MA in Theology from the Augustine Institute and pursues personal study in her spare time. Melissa loves Ignatian Spirituality, Mother Mary, and rock climbing. If you don’t hear her and her kiddo laughing at home, then they are probably out on an adventure!
Feature Image Credit: Diego Velázquez, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Coronation_of_the_Virgin_(Velázquez)
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Heather Orlowski and her husband are busy parents of three little girls. The Catholic Church holds a special place in her heart and in her entire life. She attended Catholic schools from Kindergarten through college. She graduated from Aquinas College with a degree in Elementary/Special Education. Catholic Education is very important to her and she now teaches 1st and 2nd grades at St. Therese Catholic School. In her free time, she loves creating memories with her family and watching her little girls play soccer. 
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and eleven grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is 
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Pamela Kavanaugh is a grateful wife, mother, and grandmother who has dedicated her professional life to Catholic education. Though she has done her very best to teach her students well in the subjects of language and religion, she knows that she has learned more than she has taught. She lives, teaches, and writes in southwest suburban Chicago.
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