Commitment 4

Our fourth commitment is to remain anonymous.     

This subject of remaining anonymous has been quite a point for discussion.  This means that we should never divulge to our Priest-son that we are his Spiritual Mother.   That’s all there is to it.
 
Let's go over what one of the many Priests who has performed a Spiritual Motherhood ceremony shared with the women before the ceremony.  He said that when he receives a gift or card for any reason, he will by manners send a thank you note.  This then opens the door for more of the same.  This relationship becomes a human relationship and not a spiritual relationship.  This is the lower level of a relationship that was meant to be totally Spiritual.  We certainly should be able to talk with him and receive the sacraments from him.  We can certainly talk with him, wish him a good morning, etc., but we do this all the while not letting him know you are his Spiritual Mother.  It is the Spiritual Motherhood that is kept anonymous in order to keep it spiritual.
 
If we are already on a friendly basis, we should of course continue to socialize with our Priest-son but we must not tell him that we are his Spiritual Mother.   We may talk about the SMOP program to anyone, even our Priest-son, and we can tell everyone that we are a Spiritual Mother and about the joy of praying for them.  However, we are not to share with anyone who our Priest-son is -- the anonymonity of this ministry is an essential component of this program.    
 
In the National Catholic Register (May 4-17, 2014 issue) Culture of Life section, there was an article titled, “Spiritual Mothers Pray for Priests”.  The author, Fr. Gary Selin, points out that this work of Spiritual Motherhood is “hidden” (our commitment to remaining anonymous) giving it power. “Father Selin points out that, although this work is "hidden," it ‘has an enormously powerful influence in nurturing spiritual life in Priests….’  That’s because Spiritual Mothers are following in the footsteps of Mary, the Mother of Priests,” who kept these things in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
 
So don’t shy away from talking with him, especially if he approaches you.  We just don’t want to call attention to ourselves in any way of being our Priest-Son’s Spiritual Mother.  This is the purity of Spiritual Maternity.   Calling attention to ourselves would be the credit we receive ahead of time.  Wouldn’t you want to receive that credit from Jesus in Heaven when you get there, and, of course, a ‘thank you’ from your Priest-son in heaven, rather than now? 
 
God bless you and your families.

Mary Anne Gronotte
Phone: 859-341-6214
Email:  [email protected]