Feeling her presence

Remarks by Amelle Aldurra, Arts ’19, at the dedication of the Blessed Virgin Mary Grotto on Marquette’s campus

I’m truly honored to be standing here in front of you for this beautiful event.

I am a senior here at Marquette, and while my time as a student is coming to an end, I cannot express how blessed I feel to have spent the past four years here.

I attended Catholic schools throughout my education. When I was younger, my parents made that choice for me, but as I got older, I chose to continue my education where I could grow intellectually and spiritually.

Marquette proved to be the perfect place to accomplish my academic goals and foster my faith.

In the overwhelming and hectic everyday life that challenges many college students, I’ve discovered a profound sense of peace and calm when I enter any of the chapels on campus or sit in the gardens of the Joan of Arc Chapel.

During Lent a couple of years ago, I made a point to go to a chapel and sit in prayer for about 15 minutes every day. I would visit the chapel in my dorm, the Eucharistic chapel in the Alumni Memorial Union, Joan of Arc Chapel, and even the chapel in Zilber Hall, the administrative building where I would meet my spiritual director.

Since that transformative Lenten experience I continue to pray to Mary, in a particularly special way. I imagine myself walking towards a large statue of Mary and standing at her feet with white flowers all around. I would pray for those I love and request from her what I need.

I continuously find my way to one of our chapels, both in times of joy and in times of struggle. When I arrive with a heavy heart, I lay my burdens at the feet of Mary, just as St. Ignatius left his sword at the altar of Mary at Montserrat.

I often think about how, while growing up, my mom and grandma would remind me to ask my Heavenly Mother for what I need, and that she would provide me the best guidance, because her relationship with the Lord is like no other.

The Virgin Mary serves as an example of selfless love and sacrifice. As we all strive to be more like her, the campus community and visitors to Marquette now can come to this beautiful grotto and feel her presence. When we are feeling tired and alone, she will not desert us. She is listening to anyone who reaches out to her.

Already it serves as a reminder of the workings of Mary’s intercession in our lives, and it will continue to do so for many years to come.

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