“Our Lady one day appeared to St. Gertrude covered with a mantle, under which, as if in a place of refuge, were a troop of ferocious beasts, as lions, tigers, bears and leopards. She was so far from driving them away, that, on the contrary, she patted them with her hand, and received them with great pity and commiseration. By this vision the saint understood, that the greatest sinners, when they recur to Mary, are saved by her prayers from eternal destruction. Let us, then, enter this Ark; let us conceal ourselves under the mantle of Mary: we there shall find life and salvation.”
This excerpt from "The Glories of Mary" written by St. Aphonsus de Liguori is a great reminder for children that God and his Blessed Mother want us to turn to them *always*. Sometimes the Saints can seem unapproachable- but Mama Mary loves you and wants to give you a hug, even if you’re being a little beast.