It’s no surprise that Mother’s Day is in the month of May, the same month in which we celebrate the most venerated woman of the Catholic Church. Catholic men have paid homage to their mothers and Jesus’ mother for centuries. Today, we delve into the minds of some well-known Catholic men to discuss their relationships with their earthly mothers and some of the best advice they ever received.

Fr Colin Jackson

Mother’s name: MA! Just joking – Indera Jackson

Parish: Sangre Grande

How many siblings do you have?

I have four siblings

Are you a momma’s boy?

I am the quintessential momma’s boy.

What is your greatest childhood memory?

I was not successful at the Common Entrance the first time I wrote it. My mother was in the United States when the results came out. I need not explain the emotions that took hold of me at that time. I don’t recall how long it took, but I received my first piece of mail. My mom had taken the time to write me a letter, reassuring me of her love and support. I kept that letter for many years, re-reading it even as an adult.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother?

The most important lesson I learned from my mother was that “you don’t have to agree with someone to love them”. As obvious as it may appear when put

into words, the reality is that doing so is extremely difficult. However, I have witnessed my mother love and seek ways to hold on in the midst of serious disagreements.

Fr Raymond Francis

Mother’s name: Sheila Sheena Francis (Nee Noriega)

Parish: Maracas, St Joseph (born and grew up there)

Pet name: Ray

Siblings: I have a lot of siblings, nine brothers and five sisters. Five of my brothers belonged to my father, and then he had ten with my mother: five boys and five girls.

Are you a momma’s boy?

Yes, I used to consider myself a momma’s boy, but I think in her own way, she spoiled each of us.

What is your greatest childhood memory?

I would say it was going to pilgrimage with her. I remember one time she went to a pilgrimage in Siparia, and I did not go with her. I was much younger at that time and when she came back, she was all aglow and all excited about the day and I remember her telling my father that what she admired was all the children with their rosaries in their hands praying. It’s not that I did not know to pray the rosary, but I was not too keen about it, and I think that inspired me to get with it, with my rosary.

Another story I recall is that she was a very generous woman and with us at home. We had to share everything, and I remember her getting a dinner mint and she did not keep it to herself, but she cut it in small pieces for all of us to share and I looked at her she just wrapped the paper and threw it in the bin.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother?

Commitment and faith. Those two things went hand in hand for her. Commitment to her family and her faith in God.

Lyndon Mohammed

Mother’s name: Marjorie Mohammed

Parish: St Philip & St James

Siblings : One sister

Do you consider yourself a momma’s boy: Yes, I’m a momma’s boy (no shame to say it)

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother?

Mommy taught me how to be patient and not to act in haste.

Kirk Nancoo

Mother’s name: Grace Nancoo

Parish: Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Do you consider yourself a Momma’s boy? She died before I was two years old so definitely not a momma’s boy.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother? Dealing with loss from an early age, acceptance of what I cannot change, letting go and moving on.

Nigel Oliver 

Mother’s name: Lydia Oliver

Parish: St Anthony’s, Petit Valley

Siblings: One younger sister

Do you consider yourself a Momma’s boy? Sometimes.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother? Always trust in God.

Fr Alan Hall

Mother’s name: Yvonne Hall

Parish: St James

Siblings: Two! One brother and one sister

What is your greatest childhood memory? My mother loves to cook and bake. She would religiously make cakes, sweetbread and pone and then have us give it away to family members and friends.

Are you a momma’s boy? Which son isn’t a momma’s boy? I am the firstborn.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother? Faith, family, and love are but a few of her blessings to me.

Keevan Lewis (Keevo TV)

Mother’s name: Marlene Lord Lewis

Parish: St Andrew Kaggwa, Vistabella

Siblings: One sister

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother? Praise God, trust God, thank God through everything. He will take you through it all.

Fr Harold Imamshah

Mother’s name: Enid Cynthia Imamshah (Deceased)

Parish: Petit Valley

Siblings: I had one older brother

What is your greatest childhood memory? My favourite childhood memory is her teaching me to read the poem ‘What the bird thought’.

Are you a momma’s boy? Definitely not a momma’s boy.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother? The most important thing I learnt was how to be self-reliant. Never borrow anything. Do without.