Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us!

May 21, 2018
  • Mother of the Church 18

On May 21st, the Monday after Pentecost, the Church celebrates for the first time the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church:

“Given the importance of the mystery of Mary’s spiritual motherhood, which from the awaiting of the Spirit at Pentecost has never ceased to take motherly care of the pilgrim Church on earth, Pope Francis has decreed that on the Monday after Pentecost the Memorial of Mary Mother of the Church should be obligatory for the whole Church of the Roman Rite. The connection between the vitality of the Church of Pentecost and the maternal care of Mary towards it is evident. In the texts of the Mass and Office the text of Acts 1:12-14 throws light on the liturgical celebration, as does Genesis 3:9-15,20, read in the light of the typology of the New Eve, who became the ‘Mater omnium viventium’ under the Cross of her Son, the Redeemer of the world.

“The hope is that the extension of this celebration to the whole Church will remind all Christ’s disciples that, if we want to grow and to be filled with the love of God, it is necessary to plant our life firmly on three great realities: the Cross, the Eucharist, and the Mother of God. These are three mysteries that God gave to the world in order to structure, fructify, and sanctify our interior life and lead us to Jesus. These three mysteries are to be contemplated in silence. (cf. Robert Sarah, The Power of Silence, no.57).”

Robert Card. Sarah
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

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