I am a Catholic writer reflecting on the gift of motherhood and God’s plan for the family. Through my newsletter, The Way of the Wildflowers, I explore how, as mothers, we can most prayerfully and intentionally live out our vocation and help guide our families to heaven.

In 1981, in his Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, Pope Saint John Paul II issued a summons and a challenge to those of us who are called to married life:

“Family, become what you are.”

What is a family? According to his predecessor Pope Saint Paul VI, families are “intimate communities of life and love” who are tasked with the mission “to guard, reveal, and communicate” this love as a reflection of God’s love for humanity and the Church (Familiaris Consortio, 17). Families are also “schools of holiness” where we learn to love and sacrifice for one another. In this self-giving, we learn to love Jesus and become more like Him.

As mothers, we are the heart of our families and instructors in these “schools of holiness.” Our role is to embody and instill this love in our families and to attempt to maintain an atmosphere of peace in our homes. When we pray for and encourage virtue, we teach our families how to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt 6:33).

It has been said that this is the most important work you will do – this work within the walls of your own home. For most of us, home is a place where we can be ourselves and, most importantly, learn to love and be loved. Through the joys and sorrows, the blessings, and the messiness of family life, we are transformed and perfected into the image of God, if we cooperate with the graces we receive by virtue of our vocation. 

We can begin today to be intentional about living out these ideals and teaching our children and grandchildren to do the same. This endeavor will not be a perfect utopia of peace and perfection; however, with the Lord’s help, we can rise each time we experience difficulties or failures and persevere on the path.