Well, here is something you don’t see every day, even in the most Catholic of families: A 5 year-old girl named Pietra has set Portuguese Facebook readers aflame with her love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Instead of a “Frozen” or “Dora the Explorer” themed birthday party, she chose a Marian theme, dressing like Our Lady of Grace and requesting party decorations that referenced Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Aparecida.
Facebook friends and family were thrilled with the image released by party guest Camila Lira, who wrote that the party theme was indeed Pietra’s own choice, and a surprise to her parents. “Pietra, may you never lose that affection for our Mother,” she wrote in a post that went viral and garnered lots of internet attention, “you are very special and have moved everyone today.”
Indeed. A potent reminder of what Jesus said:
“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” (Mark 10:14-15)
And, of course:
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” — Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Little Pietra seems to be keeping very good company.
And today we celebrate...