By Emily Chaffins
Do you have someone in your life who is a spiritual mother to you, someone who guides and cares for you? Every October as part of Respect Life Month, the U.S. Catholic bishops choose a theme, and this year’s is “Mary, Mother of Life.” The Florida Catholic captured a collection of photos showing mothers and spiritual mothers sharing moments of faith.
A tradition lasting generations
Photographer: Cristina Cabrera Jarro
Placing flowers together at the feet of the image of Our Lady of Charity is a tradition that Dayanara Guerra shared with her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Briana, at the Miami Shrine of Our Lady of Charity Sept. 7, 2026. In this moment, a mother leads her child to honor the spiritual mother of us all, simultaneously passing down a particularly Hispanic devotion that has lasted the test of time. (CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO | FC)
- To find out more, read At La Ermita, ‘closest to the Virgin and closest to Cuba’
A school of faith
Photographer: Tom Tracy
Principal Jenna McIntosh from St. Anthony School in Fort Lauderdale gives a joyful embrace to a youngster following Mass Sept. 13, 2026 - a reminder that Catholic educators are called to nurture students not only intellectually, but also spiritually. (TOM TRACY | FC)
- To find out more, read Broward County’s first Catholic school celebrates centennial
Like mother, like daughter
Photographer: Emily Chaffins
Little Avila Marie follows the lead of her mom, Michelle Lopez, kneeling together during Mass Sept. 24, 2026, at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital in Miami. Who better to teach a child to pray than Mom? (EMILY CHAFFINS | FC)
- To find out more, read An outpouring of mercy in South Florida
