Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. Though the theological roof of this memorial goes back to the early Church, it was only in 2018 that Pope Francis added a feast day under this title for the Monday following the solemnity of Pentecost, which is seen as the birthday of the Church.
Pope St. John Paul II said, “The title “Mother of the Church” … reflects the deep conviction of the Christian faithful, who see in Mary is not only the mother of the person of Christ, but also of the faithful. She who recognized as mother of salvation, life and grace, mother of the saved and mother of the living, is rightly proclaimed Mother of the Church.”
Mary’s vocation is unique. Her “Yes” at the annunciation triggered the salvation history. Her intervention at the wedding at Cana when she called her son to exercise his messianic power contributed to the planting of the seed of faith.
Mary united her suffering to that of Christ at Calvary, so her maternal contribution became part of the work of salvation. The Lord Jesus handed over “John to her mother and her mother to John, as the Crucified one proclaimed and recognized her motherhood, “woman, behold your son” and “son, behold your mother.” In the gospel of Luke, Mary’s presence was mentioned in the community of Jerusalem (Acts 1:14). Her maternal role in the life of the newborn Church is fundamental.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 964-965) teaches us, “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. “This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death”; it is made manifest above all at the hour of his Passion: Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross. There she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, enduring with her only begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, joining herself with his sacrifice in her mother’s heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim, born of her: to be given, by the same Christ Jesus dying on the cross, as a mother to his disciple, with these words: “Woman, behold your son”
With her role, Mary became the New Eve, Mother of the Church, and continues in heaven her maternal role with regard to Christ’s members.
As we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, let us know that she is our spiritual mother insofar as we are a member of Christ’s body, the Church. As a member of Christ body, it is necessary that we see spiritual nourishment from the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Have a blessed week
