Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Pope Francis announced on March 3, 2018, that the Monday after Pentecost Sunday will be observed as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. The Holy Father hopes that this new feast day will promote Marian devotion and the maternal sense of the Church. The Church specifically remembers Mother Mary in this way because of her desire to protect everyone who comes to her Son in His Holy Church and her reception of the Holy Spirit with the Apostles at Pentecost.   

In addressing the words, "Woman, behold your son" to Mary, the Crucified One proclaims her motherhood in relation to the Apostle John and to every disciple. By her complete adherence to the Father's will, his Son's redemptive work, and every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church's model of faith and charity. This motherhood of Mary continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. By her manifold intercession, Mother Mary continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. 

Pope St. John Paul II said, "The title "Mother of the Church"… reflects the deep conviction of the Christian faithful, who see in Mary not only the Mother of the person of Christ but also of the faithful. She who is recognized as the Mother of salvation, life, and grace, the Mother of the saved and the living, is rightly proclaimed Mother of the Church." We are invited to benefit more from Mary's example of holiness and the grace of her Son, which she extends to us on this new feast day.  

Mary, Mother of the Church, teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path. Open our ears to hear His word, recognize his voice, and call. Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love, especially at times of trial. 

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Most High Servant,

Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed  and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)