Quirky motherhood

Pertinacious Papist provides a link to this woman, who has made quite a name for motherhood, although in an odd light. Mata Amritanandamayi -- called the "hugging saint" -- hugs up to 50,000 people each day, and they come from all over for her embraces. She's been recognised by the United Nations, and a host of international bodies [heh] who respect her appeal to "universal motherhood."

Jan Kounen, an award winning filmmaker who was born in Netherlands and is based in France, directed the film. Manuel De La Roche of France, is the producer. Jan Kounen and his crew began shooting the footage for the film in 2003 during Amritavarsham50, Mata Amritanandamayi's 50th birthday celebrations in Kochi. The team also traveled with her on her Indian and International tours in order to complete the movie. About the film, Kounen says, "when I first took up the project and started filming, I thought, 'Amma is a good person, doing good things, in turn I can do something good for her'. But as it went on, I realized, no, I am the one who is receiving the gift."

There can be no doubt of the appeal of motherhood, even for those who reject the traditional family, who support abortion rights, who find contraceptives essential to the way they arrange their private lives, and who see divorce as a non-negotiable part of the human condition. To tell these folks of the universal motherhood offered through the wise maternity of the Catholic Church, or Our Lady's great desire to enfold them with a more lasting embrace would be pointless. But let them flock to this woman, to receive her motherly affection for the split-second it lasts, and perhaps their hearts will be touched.

As for Holy Mother Church, we'll leave the light on for them...