From the Friars: Mother of the Church
At the close of the third session of the Second Vatican Council in 1964, St. Pope Paul VI stated: “we declare Mary Most Holy Mother of the Church, that is, of all the Christian people.” He wrote also in his “Credo of the People of God” in 1968: “The Blessed Mother of God, the New Eve, Mother of the Church continues in heaven her maternal role with regard to Christ’s members, cooperating with the birth and growth of divine life in the souls of the redeemed.” This title goes back to the Church Fathers and is an important part of the great Solemnity of Pentecost that we celebrate today.
Our Lady is present in the upper room, interceding for the followers of her Son, that the Power from on high would come upon them. Today is known as the birthday of the Church and this divine life is bestowed through the maternal mediation of the Blessed Virgin. Hence, it was very fitting that Pope Francis decreed in 2018 that the Monday after Pentecost be celebrated as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church.
With joy and gratitude, we receive the gift of Mary as our mother. But it is important that this not be just another pious phrase that really does not affect our lives. I am blessed to have 26 nieces and nephews. I only recall changing a diaper once, for my oldest nephew. My sister-in-law was impressed at the time and I thought myself a hero. But she has changed thousands of diapers. Mothers are intimately involved in caring for every aspect of their children’s lives.
Jesus said: “unless you change and become like children you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:3) The Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, is given to us at our Baptism and Confirmation. The wind and the fire have been poured into our souls. But this life is nourished by a mother, down to the daily work of freeing us from the foul-smelling sin that we all struggle with.
Let us renew our giving of ourselves to Jesus Our Life by giving ourselves to Our Blessed Mother.
Happy Pentecost!
–Fr. Peter