#123 Our Lady of La Leche Pray For Me
In this episode, I am diving into a beautiful devotion that speaks to us in a very special way as Catholic midlife women — the devotion to Our Lady of La Leche (Our Lady of the Milk). This devotion may be lesser known, but its message of nurturing, motherhood, and reliance on the Blessed Mother resonates deeply with all of us who are navigating the unique challenges of motherhood in midlife.
In this episode, I share my recent visit to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine, Florida. As soon as I stepped on those holy grounds, I felt the peace and presence of God. It was a powerful reminder of how Our Lady stands with us in every season of motherhood — from the first moments of pregnancy, through sleepless nights of nursing, to letting go as our children grow into adulthood.
As Catholic midlife women, we are often in a time of transition — perhaps letting go of children as they become more independent or even welcoming the joy (and challenge!) of grandchildren. I reflect on how Our Lady of La Leche models for us the patient, nurturing love we’re called to offer, not only to our children and grandchildren but to ourselves as well. She nurtures our souls just as she nurtured Christ — emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
I encourage you to consider: where do you need to be nurtured? As mothers, we often pour ourselves out for others, but our hearts also need restoration. Our Lady knows our struggles, whether it’s the difficulty of letting go, the loneliness of an empty nest, or the uncertainty of caring for aging parents. She invites us to bring these challenges to her, to let her lead us to her Son for healing and strength.
I share the rich history of this devotion, tracing it back to the Roman catacombs and the first Catholic settlers in St. Augustine. The story of the tiny wooden cross planted on the shore in 1565, and its magnification over time into a towering beacon of faith, reminds me that our small acts of faith can have an impact far greater than we ever realize. Like the image of Our Lady of La Leche nursing the infant Christ, our seemingly small gestures of love, sacrifice, and prayer can be magnified in God’s plan.
Whether you're in the midst of raising teens, letting go of adult children, or helping to care for grandchildren, this episode is for you. The Blessed Mother is here with us, nurturing our hearts just as she nurtured Christ. I invite you to sit with her, pray with her, and let her intercede for you in all aspects of your life as a mother, wife, and Catholic woman.
Jennie Guinn is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, and the founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry, she equips and encourages middle-life women to encounter the love of the Father and to be transformed and healed by the power of the Holy Spirit so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.
