In May, we honor Mary and we also celebrate Mother’s Day. For the May Junior Saints online children’s section of the Catholic Standard, students were invited to draw a picture and write about Mary or their mother.
St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“Mary and my mother are very similar. At a young age, both women were given a choice to change their lives. Mary, the choice to be the mother of God. My mother, she had to come to the United States from her home country. I admire both women because, though I believe they were both scared, they did what they believed was best. I pray to Mary because I want to be as brave as she was and say ‘yes’ to my vocation in life, to say ‘yes’ to God.” – Drawing and writing by Gabriela Manzano, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie, Maryland
“I admire Mary because she had such faith and trust in God that she agreed to be the mother of Jesus free of hesitation. Mary was an unmarried young woman who was willing to do her part in God’s plan. I think it takes a very strong person to do that.” – Reve Durham, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie, Maryland

“My mother is a hard working, kind, and very determined woman. She has raised three beautiful children. I feel like she has the greatest impact on my life, because I strive to be like her. She is independent and never gives up. She always gets her work done and more. She will go out of her way to help someone before she even helps herself. These are some of the many things she does. She teaches me to be an even better version of myself.” – Drawing and writing by Brooke Sylvestre, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“I think Mary and my own mother are similar because they both love God and teach me how to be my best self. Whenever I’m feeling down, my mom is always there to cheer me up. I also go and pray to Mary because I want to build a stronger relationship with her and God. I have no doubt that my relationship with God will keep on getting better, because my mom and Mary are guiding me along the way. I can’t thank them enough.” –Jalen Neptune, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“My mom is a very important person in my life. She’s a role model for me, and I do believe that she’s one of the best people in my life. She’s taken care of me and has pushed boundaries in order to make sure I have the best life and have the best opportunities I could have for my future. She’s always been there for me along with my aunt. Both are important people to me and my family, and I hope they know how much I appreciate them. I love them both a lot.” – Drawing and writing by Jordyn Cabellon, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“My mother and Mary are both important people in my life. They both help me whenever I need help. Mary was a great mom and she took care of Jesus. My mom is also a great mom. She took care of my brother and me. I love the both of them.” – Ariana Conway, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“My mom is a strong, beautiful woman. She does so much for me and my family every single day expecting nothing in return. She cooks me meals if I’m hungry, washes all of our clothes, and does things around the house that my dad and I wouldn’t even think twice about. She is so smart and helps me understand my homework if I’m having trouble. My mom loves me so much, and I would do anything for her. I am so grateful to have such a loving mother in my life.” – Drawing and writing by Aliyah Thompson, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you, mom. Even though I don’t always show it, I really appreciate you. I appreciate you when I come to ask you a question and you always have the right thing to say. I thank you for all the times when I wasn’t feeling well and you nursed me back to health. I thank you when you stay up late at night trying to help me with my homework. It’s not just Mother’s Day when I appreciate you, it’s every day I appreciate you.” – Daylynn Francis, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“Mary is a great mother figure for everyone to look up to. She took care of Jesus and raised him. Mary was a good person and did not sin. She was faced with many difficulties during her life, but stayed loyal to God all throughout them. She trusted and depended on God. I look up to Mary, and want to be like her. She is kind, loyal and faithful. Mary sets the perfect example for all mothers to follow.” – Karissa Johnson, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

Drawing by Joshua Mordi, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“My mother is great mother like Mary is. She always looks out for others and puts others first. She helps my with my school work and goes on walks with me. She love me so much, and I love her always. She is kind, caring, sweet, and just amazing. My mom goes to church and prays to God. She always remembers people’s birthdays and important days to them. She is always there when I need her, like if I forget to pack a lunch she is one step ahead of me and has a lunch ready.” – Isabella Sweeney, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“I honor my mother, because she is a beautiful soul who sacrifices a lot for me. She teaches me good from evil and tells me to always be kind to others. My mum also dedicated her time teaching me on weekends due to the pandemic. She makes sure I get ready for the school week. My mum tries to follow the teachings of the Lord, and takes me to church every Sunday. We also donate to charity. I love my mum.” – Drawing and writing by Noah Jones, sixth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“Mary makes a great role model because she is brave and trustworthy. When she was still very young, she was told by God that she would carry the Son of God, Jesus Christ. When she heard the news. she didn’t try to run or avoid what she was asked of. Mary simply took the message and prepared herself for the further journey.” – Jewel Moore, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“My mother is like Mary because she cares for those in need. Mary was the mother of Jesus. She cared for him when he was sick, showed him love when he was feeling down. My mom is like Mary because she helps me reach my goal when I can’t get there on my own. Our moms have always helped guide us in our lives no matter the sacrifices. Jesus loved his mother because she was always there for him. Just as I love mine, as I know she will always be there for me.” – Drawing and writing by Krystal Nkoronye, sixth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“My mother is the best mother of all time. I feel this way because of how loving she is, no matter what. And yes, all mothers are loving, but my mother doesn’t just accept you’ve done wrong. She accepts you have done wrong, then helps you do better and makes things right. She also is the most fun mom, too. She is always planning our next trip and trying to give me and my siblings the best experiences. I think those are fundamental to being a great mom.” – Josie Shaw, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“My mother is amazing. She has cared for us since my father left. She has made sure that we remained in our house and that we get all that we need and more. No matter what, she has always been there for me and my brother… I think that there are too many good things to put on this, but the main one is that she works very hard for us and she loves us.” – Drawing and writing by Penelope Kibler, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“Mary’s bravery is one of the things I admire most about her. Even though she was scared, even though she was young, and even though Joseph would question her, she put complete faith in God to take care of her. Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of his Son and the Church. Mary had no doubt about being fit for the position, she knew that God had chosen her and knew that if God asked her, then she could do it.” – Allison Bogley, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“I appreciate my mother for the things she has done for me. My mom always make sure to comfort me when I’m feeling down and will uplift me. She’ll tell me how much she loves me no matter what. My mother works so hard for my brother and me. She always teaches my brother and me to be our own person and be a leader and not to follow behind others. She teaches us that we should never care what other people say or what they think of us because we should always be strong. I may not show it that much, but I love my mom for the things she has done for us.” – Drawing and writing by Danielle Nunyi, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“My mother is very hardworking and is always there to take care of the family. She cooks, she works 8-10 hours, tries to put me in a good mood when I’m sad and is faithful to Christ. I think she is a wonderful mother who does what she thinks is right for the family. I always want to be there for her and take her place whenever she’s not there. She is a role model to me, and I want to be just like her when I’m an adult.” – Kadoh Bangu, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“I am very grateful for my mom because she takes really great care of me. She helps me with my school work and takes me to all my sport games. She even cheers me on at my sports games, and sometimes she is really loud. I like to celebrate my mom in May, because Mother’s Day is in May. Also, my mom’s birthday is on May 23. So May is a very special month for my mom, because she gets to celebrate two very special times in her life. I love my mom very much.” – Drawing and writing by Yasmin Martin, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“I admire Mary’s obedience very much. When the angel Gabriel appeared to her saying that she would have to conceive a child, she was very obedient to God’s command. Also, I admire Mary’s strength. When Jesus was beaten and died on the cross, Mary had to witness it, but she kept her composure and stayed strong. I admire Mary very much because she exerts very valuable and useful traits that I can use to deepen my relationship with Christ.” – Brooke Lancaster, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“My mother is a great person. She went to Catholic University and got a law degree. Right now she works for the government. My mother is so loving and kind I could never be as nice as her. She helps me with work and prays with me. She became a Catholic and was baptized at an Easter Mass. She got the Eucharist six years ago for the first time and loved it. I love my mom so much. She is a strong person and never gives up and keeps on going.” – Matthew Ruddy, sixth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“Mary, to me, represents a loving and caring figure, someone who was always there for Jesus. My mom loves me, and she is the loving figure in my life. She always says that she is my number 1# fan, and I am hers.” – Drawing and writing by Alexandra Hughes, sixth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda
“Mary was born without original sin, an immaculate conception. Her parents were Joachim and Ann, two kind Jewish people who taught Mary about God and dedicated her to God. Years later Mary was visited by the Archangel Michael telling her that she would bring the son of God to the world. Instead of being scared or confused, she fully accepted God and went forth with her duties dutifully. She taught Jesus well and is now an inspiration for all people of how to live.
“My mom is an immigrant from Ecuador. She is strict, tough, and the only thing that keeps me alive. Now I am a 12-year-old boy, and that means I am not the smartest in the world, so I need a lot of help in anything. If it’s school work she’s there, work at home, she’s there, if anything she is behind me. Because that’s what moms do, especially mine. I might make a mistake, and she will hold me accountable, but always be with me. But the best thing she has ever taught me is that my morals will always be my guide, and if I do poorly in anything, if I stay to my morals and do my best, new options will open. So even if she is strict and hard on me sometimes, she is perfect for me and nothing will ever change that.” – Joseph Obermeier, sixth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda

“My mom is like Mary because she is very caring. She takes care of my sister and me and teaches us how to walk in the ways in Christ, and she always makes sure to correct me when I am not being the best person I can be. For this, I am grateful for my mom, and I love her very much.” – Drawing and writing by Aamir Uthman, seventh grade, Our Lady of Lourdes School, Bethesda (classes taken at St. Bartholomew School at this time)
“My mother has always been helpful and kind. Sometimes it’s hard to have patience, but my mom has it. It’s extremely hard to take care of children, but my mother has always been great at it. I love her so much. She has done so much for me my entire life. She has always been there for me and is by my side.” – Ali Bautista, sixth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda

“My mom is the most caring person I have ever met. She has always been patient with me, and she has helped when I needed her.” – Drawing and writing by Cooper Abod, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda
“Moms are some of the most needed people in my opinion. Some kids and people don’t have a mom in their lives, but there can always be that person that makes you feel loved. I know my mom always makes me laugh, and I know that a lot of moms have a very special relationship with their kids. Moms bring new life into the world and take care of you, too. These are just some of the reasons that moms are awesome. Happy Mother’s Day, Moms!” – Charlotte Harrison, sixth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda

“I love my mom because she does so many things and without her I wouldn't be here. But without Mary there would be no Jesus.” – Drawing and writing by Claire Schreiber, fourth grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda, Maryland
“Mary, the mother of Jesus, is seen as the ultimate mother because of her love for her son and her lack of sinning. Sometimes, we all see that in our mothers because we look up to them, and they take care of us by giving us food and also helping us heal or get better emotionally, physically, or mentally.” – Bennett Danser Anger, sixth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda

“I drew my mom because she is so sweet! She is always there for me when I'm sick or having a hard day. I think she's awesome, and she's the best mom I could ever have!” – Drawing and writing by Abby Mitchell, fourth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda
“My mother means a lot to me. She is very loving and caring. My mother does everything for me and for others. She takes care of people all day and then comes home to take care of my siblings and me. My mom is very special and caring, because she is a nurse and helps people at her work and everywhere. Everything I have is because of my amazing mom.” – Kate Schreiber, sixth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda
“My mom is a very hard working woman and is always practicing her Catholic faith. I want to be like her when I grow up.” – Caroline Ramsdell, , sixth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda

“My mom is like Mary because she works hard so that my sisters and I can have a nice life.” – Drawing and writing by Charles Esquenet, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda
“Mary reminds me of my mom, because she is very kind and compassionate. She is altruistic and an amazing mother. I am so grateful for my mom.” – Lee Hartman, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda
“Mary was a woman who took on the God-given task of being the mother of Jesus. Mary represents being the perfect mother for all to follow. Mary also represents being the perfect follower of Christ. She said ‘yes’ to God, and we should always try to be like her and say ‘yes’ to God. My mother is an amazing person and is always there for me and always driving for me to be my best. May is a month for Mary and mothers alike.” - Jude Buber, sixth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda
Next Junior Saints
For the next Junior Saints, draw a picture and write about something you will be doing this summer. The drawings and writings should be emailed to mark@cathstan.org by June 18 to Mark Zimmermann, the Catholic Standard's editor, and they should include the name, grade and school or parish of the student printed clearly.