Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph
(JMJ)
“Mother, if You Think I May Still Do Any Good”: Fr. Wolff’s Trust in Mary, our Mother
01 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2026
A chance reading of Ravening Wolf drew my attention to a touching incident in the life of our Founder, Fr. Mathias Wolff. It reveals something beautiful about his deep trust in Mary as our Mother, Advocate, and powerful intercessor. September is a particularly meaningful month to reflect on this experience. During this month, we celebrate several important Marian feasts: the Nativity of Mary on September 8, the Most Holy Name of Mary on September 12, and Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15. As we honor Mary under these different titles, it is fitting to recall this experience of Fr. Wolff and the confidence with which he turned to her in a moment of extreme weakness.
“In 1849, a serious illness brought him to the verge of the grave. He was cured as if by miracle. He himself told about this cure to his friend Didier, the Diekirch burgomaster. I was so weak that the doctors had given up all hope. Three doctors stood by my sickbed in consultation: a Catholic, Dr. Otten, a Protestant, Dr. V. Leeuwen, and a Jansenist, Dr. Drossaart. I heard them say: “He cannot last much longer.” Then, opening my eyes, I looked at the statue of the Mother of God, and said in a weak voice: “Mother, if you think I may still do any good on earth, intercede for me with your Son.” Hardly had I said this, when the Protestant doctor, feeling my pulse, declared, “He is saved.” Later on I asked him: “What do you say to this? Is the Mother of God not a powerful advocate”? He answered: “I have witnessed it.” Father Wolff felt that being alive he must now keep to his word and dedicate himself entirely to the souls.” (Ravening Wolff, 231 -232)
There is something profoundly moving in the prayer Fr. Wolff offered in that moment. He did not simply ask Mary to take away his suffering or to prolong his life. His words reveal a deep humility and complete trust. He placed his life in Mary’s hands, leaving it to her and to her Son to determine whether he still had a purpose to fulfill on earth. His desire was not simply to live, but to continue doing good for God and for souls. This prayer reveals something essential about Fr. Wolff’s understanding of his vocation and the humility of his heart. Even at the point of death, his heart remained open to God’s will and to the service of souls.
Our Lady of Luxembourg
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg
Perhaps this is also an invitation for us. From Fr. Wolff, we can learn a humble way of placing our lives before Mary, especially in moments of uncertainty, weakness, or suffering. Rather than asking only for what we desire, we can entrust ourselves to God and allow Him to show us how our lives can continue to bear fruit wherever we are needed. And perhaps we too can make Fr. Wolff’s prayer our own:
“Mother, if you think I may still do any good on earth, intercede for me with your Son.”
It is a prayer that places our lives, our future, and our mission in God’s hands through Mary. Like Fr. Wolff, may we desire to use every grace, every opportunity, and every remaining day for the good of souls. And may Mary, our Mother and Advocate, lead us always closer to her Son, so that our lives, too, may become an offering of love and service.