Dulce Madre - Sweet Mother

When I first got to know my wife Gina I noticed that whenever we left Irapuato to go to Guanajuato, San Miguel, some other city, just as soon as we were out on the highway she would become very silent. If her parents were with us they would become silent as well. Thinking that they were all unsure of my driving ability I would keep up a one sided chatter to reassure them. It was very of awkward. After a few minutes they would open up and start talking again. After this happened two or three times it suddenly dawned on me that they might be praying. I asked Gina about this and she confirmed it. Ever since she was a little girl she and her family would go through this little ritual whenever they started out on a trip. They usually did it out loud but they did it silently with me around until they got more comfortable with my presence. Now that they let me in on the secret we all do it together. The little ritual goes like this:

First one makes the Sign of the Cross (Santiguarse).

Then one says this little prayer three times:

Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Señor del buen camino, llévanos sanos y salvos a nuestro destino.
Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Señor del buen camino, llévanos sanos y salvos a nuestro destino.
Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Señor del buen camino, llévanos sanos y salvos a nuestro destino.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lord of the good highway, carry us safe and sound to our destination.

After that one recites the prayer "Dulce Madre" (Sweet Mother).

Dulce Madre, no te alejes.
Tu vista de mi no apartes.
Ven conmigo a todas partes, y solo(a) nunca me dejes.
Ya que me proteges tanto, como verdadera Madre,
Haz que me bendiga el Padre, el Hijo, y el Espíritu Santo.
Amén.

Sweet Mother, do not part from me.
Do not lose me from your sight.
Accompany me everywhere and never leave me all alone.
Because you protect me like a true Mother,
Obtain for me the blessing of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Then one makes the Sign of the Cross again (Santiguarse)

The phrase " Señor del buen camino" (Lord of the good highway) has a double meaning. In one sense it refers to the highway and for this reason the prayer is a favorite of chauffeurs, bus drivers, and truck drivers. In another sense, however, it refers to the words of Our Lord when he said “Yo soy el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida" (I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life).

The prayer "Dulce Madre" is a favorite prayer of all Mexican Catholics and they learn it at a very early age. Many times Gina and I will linger after the mass until most of the people have left the church and then we recite the Dulce Madre together and we make the Sign of the Cross over each other. This is a very special thing for her and I must tell you that it makes me feel like we are very close. If you have never done this with your spouse I invite you to try it. It will leave you with a magical feeling. Ask your friends and neighbors about how they use the Dulce Madre. That is your homework assignment.