When I think of Mary as the “Mother of Hope,” I am reminded that hope is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it looks like quiet trust, like saying yes when the road ahead is unclear. Mary’s life was full of those moments. And when we try to follow God’s will through the joys and struggles of daily life, her example is both comforting and inspiring.
Mary’s “yes” at the Annunciation was not a one-time act of faith; it was the beginning of a lifelong journey of trust. She did not know what lay ahead, but she trusted the One who asked. That alone can speak so deeply to us. How often are we asked to say yes to things we do not fully understand? Whether it is in raising a family, facing illness, making hard decisions, or simply showing up to work each day with love, we are all pilgrims walking forward in faith, one step at a time.
Mary walks with us. Not just as a figure in Scripture or a statue in church, but as a mother who understands. She knew what it meant to wait, to worry, to grieve and yet, she never lost hope. Her hope was not naïve; it was rooted in her deep belief that God was faithful, even when things did not make sense.
That is the kind of hope families need today. In a world full of noise and uncertainty, Mary reminds us that real hope is quiet, steady, and rooted in God’s promises. She helps us remember that even in times of darkness, the light of Christ is never far. The image of Mary as a “light for pilgrims” is especially beautiful. She does not demand our attention but gently points the way. In our own moments of discouragement or confusion, let us simply turn to her in prayer, asking for her intercession, or just imagining her standing beside us, it will help us find peace and strength we did not know we had.
And as we journey in faith, we can look to the mystery of Mary’s Assumption, a sign of the final victory of hope. Her being taken body and soul into heaven is not just a glorious end to her earthly life; it is a promise of what awaits those who persevere in trust. It reminds us that the road of hope does not end in sorrow, but in the fullness of life with God. For all of us walking the path of faith, sometimes strong, sometimes stumbling, Mary offers reassurance. She reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect to walk with God. We just have to be willing to trust, as she did.
Mary, Mother of Hope, assumed into heaven, stay close to our families. Help us hold onto hope when life is uncertain. Guide us gently, and lead us to your Son, Jesus Christ, the true light of the world.
Dr Danielle Morin
Professor, The John Molson School of Business
Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.