Mary, Mother of the Church—and of us

Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. Pope Francis set aside the Monday following Pentecost for this memorial way back in 2018, so it’s one of the newest memorials in our church calendar. The feast may be new, but the idea of Mary as Mother of the Church isn’t.

Sacred Scripture often focuses on the Apostles, but Mary was recognized and revered as a major player in the infant Church from the beginning. She was there from the outset, at Pentecost. We see that in our first reading from Acts today. Immediately after witnessing Christ’s Ascension, the Apostles return to their room, “and all devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women and Mary the mother of Jesus.”

St. Ambrose of Milan first used the title Mother of the Church in the 4th century, and numerous popes throughout history did as well. Pope Paul VI, in a 1964 speech closing the third session of Vatican II, proclaimed, “For the glory of the Virgin and our consolation, we proclaim Mary the Most Holy Mother of the Church, that is, the Mother of the whole People of God, both the faithful and the pastors.” So the memorial is new, but the dogmatic truth it professes isn’t.

As Mother of the Church, of ALL faithful believers, that makes Mary OUR mother, too. That’s our Gospel message today. Christ, in the midst of his agony on the cross, commends John—and all of us—to her as sons and daughters, and commends Mary to us as OUR blessed mother. And such a mother she is—the fiercest and most devoted of mothers who’ll stop at nothing to protect her children. As Christ suffered and died, she didn’t turn away or flee in fear. She didn’t’ sulk in self-pity. She remained at the foot of the cross, steadfast in the perfect love and unwavering strength of a compassionate and devoted mother.

And just as Mary stood by Jesus in his pain and suffering, steadfast and unwavering in her love for him, so she stands by us in all the temptations, confusion, and struggles of our lives. On this feast day of Mary, Mother of the Church and of ALL believers, let’s take some time to thank her for her unfailing love and protection. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.