The Role of Mary in My Priesthood, by Fr. Timothy Welles and James Valois

From my earliest memories, Mary beckoned me to relationship with her. When I finally took Mary up on being devoted and praying to her, it transformed my life and continues to do so. Late in the fall of 1972, when I was in third grade at St. Mary’s school in Green Bay, I sat in the front of the room right next to a statue of our Blessed Mother. One day the statue of Mary seemed to come alive, and Mary spoke three simple words to me: “Pray to me.” My response as a young lad was “shouldn’t I pray to Jesus instead?” but Mary just smiled at me. Although I didn’t realize it at the moment, Sr. Joselle and Fr. Vianney were observing the whole incident, and they wanted to know everything Our Lady had told me.

Unfortunately, at that time, I did not follow her advice, but I heard Mary’s sweet voice say clearly that “later on in life you will be devoted to me.” As a good Mother, Mary never gave up on my reversion but played a key role by interceding with her Son on my behalf. ….

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