Last week a woman took to X (Formerly Twitter) to share her conversion story.
She explains that during college in 1993, her Italian boyfriend taught her the "Hail Mary". She wrote down the prayer in her journal and recited it daily in Italian.
Three years later, she converted to Catholicism.
"It never occurred to me at the time that those actions were connected," she said. "Now, I'm certain they were."
I found one of my old journals from college yesterday.
— Rae ❤️🔥 (@FiatLuxGenesis) January 21, 2024
On July 8, 1993, I handwrote the Hail Mary in Italian. I learned it that day from my Italian college boyfriend. I would say it every day. Three years later, in medical school, I converted to Catholicism.
It never occurred…
Other X users commented with supportive kind sentiments and similar testimonies to the rosary.
One user said, "I came back to the Church shortly after starting to pray the Rosary. It’s always Mary who draws us to Jesus."
Another user said, "One of the joys of getting older is looking back and connecting the dots of events that in fact were Jesus and our Blessed Mother working in our [lives]."
One user added, "God bless you and welcome home."
There are countless conversion stories throughout the world that include Mary at the helm, but what is it about Mary that is so intriguing and ultimately leads people to Jesus?
We learn in the Gospel of John (John 19: 26-27) that while Jesus was dying for our sins and giving us salvation, He also gave us an irreplaceable gift.
In his goodness, the Lord offers His mother to all of mankind.
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”
The Blessed Mother has the ultimate goal for each of us: to devote ourselves to Her son so we can get to Heaven. In the way we ask our friends and family to pray for us, there is much power in asking the Blessed Mother to do the same. The "Hail Mary" is the most perfect example of where true motherly love and intercessory prayer meet.
We are offered an open invitation to accept the motherhood of Mary into our personal lives. Let it start with one "Hail Mary" and see how the Blessed Mother softens your heart to do the will of Her Son. As Saint Josemaría Escrivá wrote, “If you seek Mary, you will find Jesus.”
Ave, o Maria, piena di grazia, il Signore è con te.
Tu sei benedetta fra le donne
e benedetto è il frutto del tuo seno, Gesù.
Santa Maria, Madre di Dio, prega per noi peccatori,
adesso e nell’ora della nostra morte.
Amen.