Mary, Mother Of The Church

Genesis 3:9-15.20:
John 19:25-34:

BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER

On the 21st of November, 1964, in an address to the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI solemnly confirmed the title Mary the Mother of Church. Mary is given Mother of the Church because she is the Mother of God and Jesus is the Head of the Church. She cooperated in the work of redemption. She became the mother of the redeemed people before her Son gave up His spirit on the Cross. Jesus says on the Cross ‘Mother behold your son”, and to the disciples behold your mother’ by extension, she became the mother of the mystical body of Christ.

She who is full of grace joined the apostles in the upper room after the Ascension of Christ her Son and prayed for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which happened on Pentecost day and here also on that day of Pentecost, she helped in the conversion of many souls and took care of their needs more together with all the disciples. Thus, the words of Jesus on the cross to Mary and to the beloved disciple came to fulfillment. She has always held us in her mantle. She will never let us down.

Pope Francis declares on March 3, 2018, that every Monday after Pentecost, we celebrate Mary, the Mother of the Church as a way of fostering Marian piety and the maternal sense of the Church. The memorial helps us to learn from the school of Mary. From her, we gain merits and graces. Her exemplary life at the beginning of the early Church makes us ponder on our eagerness and readiness to obey and serve God and His Church. Her Total Yes to God encourages us to say yes to God always as we journey in life. She is the help of Christians and through we can a deeper relationship with her son.

One cannot just imagine the great loss of many souls who do not recourse to her and at the same time one cannot imagine the plenitude of graces upon the one that seeks her maternal help. Through the centuries Mary has been a model for all Christians. We have many devotions, prayers, and feast days that remind us of the ways in which Mary is not only the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven, but also the Mother of the Church. Our spiritual mother is our guide for each of us and for the Church. As we pray through her maternal intercession today, May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and protect us as true witnesses to the power of Christ’s Resurrection.

Mary, Mother of the Church, and the help of Christians pray for us. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho