Blog: A Mother’s Day Tale of Faith

Pray the popular adage that "behind every powerful man is a woman."

Joaquin Lopez, Chronicler of Tiacapan, September 12, 2010
If you do not find Jesus, find his mother.

The patroness of Mazatlan, Mexico is the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.  Mazatlan is the city where Simona Martinez married Lewis Leonard Bradbury in January 1867. Simona Martinez was a humble and devout woman. She was born in Sinaloa state, the municipality of Rosario, Mexico in 1845. Simona and Lewis had six children. She was known for her works of Catholic charity, particularly for her work with orphans and poor. Simona traveled with their children to Rome and Florence in 1890, where she visited the Vatican and attended Mass with the Pope.

Simona's final wish was to build a church in honor of the memory of the Virgin Mary. Their children were faithful to her wishes to donate land and funds for the construction of Immaculate Conception in Monrovia.

As we honor our mothers this weekend we were inspired to reflect on the sacrifices and love that they give us unconditionally and how mothers bless all of our lives.

On Mother's Day we recall how the gift of love from a mother teaches us about the Kingdom of God. We give thanks for the faith of Simona, as this faith bore fruit in the construction of our church.

Web Exhibit: UC Davis University Library http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/dept/specol/exhibits/bradbury/index.php?view=simona

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