* September 21 – Our Lady of Graces (Triesto, Italy, 1486)  * Why did Mary want to be in the midst of her people? --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association  September 21 – Our Lady of Graces (Triesto, Italy, 1486)  Why did Mary want to be in the midst of her people? Under the sign of the Rosary, we know that we are never alone, that Mary always accompanies us. Why? Because Mary simply wanted to be in the midst of her people, with her children, with her family. She followed Jesus always, from within the crowd. As a good Mother, she did not want to abandon her children, rather, she would always show up wherever one of her children was in need. For the simple reason that she is our Mother. A Mother who learned, amid so many hardships, the meaning of the words: “Do not be afraid, the Lord is with you” (Lk 1:30). A Mother who keeps saying to us: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). This is what she constantly says to us: “Do whatever he tells you.” She doesn’t have a plan of her own; she doesn’t come to tell us something new. Rather, she prefers to remain silent, and simply accompanies our faith with her own. Pope Francis Homily during Mass on the Esplanade in front of the Marian Shrine of Caacupé, Paraguay, Saturday, 11 July 2015 HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.