I first “met” Our Lady of Prompt Succor a year ago.  I felt an immediate kinship with her, because she reminded me of beloved family in New Orleans, family I missed.

When I wrote my most recent column on this title of Mary, which you’ll find at Faith & Family Live, I did so without knowing that I’d be turning to her in a special way in the coming weeks and months.

Life was still normal when I wrote “Mary, in a Pinch.”  I was hoping to introduce people to another title that could aid them in their devotions, lead them closer to Christ, inspire them.

Little did I know that it would have such layers of meaning for me.

Funny how that works.  You’re going along, minding your own business, trying to pay attention to the tuggings that are heavenly inspired and to battle the ones that aren’t.  You’re facing the usual challenges with daily life, forgetting at least half of what you should be remembering, and facing the mountain of mundane details.

And then…WHAM.

There is comfort in knowing we’re not alone in our suffering.  There is solace in knowing we have company on the long road of struggles we’re traveling.

Tomorrow, we will gather around the grave of my brother-in-law, and I’ll reflect on peace in a whole new way.

There will be a new normal for our family in the coming weeks.  There’s no way around it.  Things are different.

But in that adjustment, I’ll be turning to the Mary who doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t pause, doesn’t stop to think.