Reference:
(1) Ordo, 2019-2020, Year A
(2) University of Dayton, "All About Mary"
(3) National Catholic Register, "Why the New Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, is so Remarkable"
(4) Talyor Marshall, "The Spirit and the Bride: Mary's Role at Pentecost"
Mary had been waiting in the Upper Room with the Apostles, her Son’s closest friends. As any good natural mother, she would have loved them because he loved them. She would have wanted the best for them and likely had high hopes for them because of their closeness to him. She would have loved them despite their failure to stand by Jesus when things turned terrible and he was arrested, tortured and crucified. They, on their part, would have loved and honored her because she was the mother of their best friend.(3)
On March 13, 2018, the Vatican announced the decision of Pope Francis that the Church celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as "Mother of the Church" on the Monday after Pentecost as a way to foster Marian piety and the maternal sense of the Church.(1)
Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help,
Ipoh, Malaysia
As the Holy Ghost overshadowed the Blessed Virgin at the Annunciation and conceived Christ the Head in the womb of Mary, so now the Holy Ghost mystically conceives the Body of Christ at Pentecost. The Litany of Loretto refers to Our Lady as the “Mother of the Church” and this is precisely why.(4)
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Mother of mercy,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honour,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comfort of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee,
O Lord God,
that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body;
and by the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
may be delivered from present sorrow,
and obtain eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Lady, Mother of the Church
Monday after Pentecost; 24 May 2021
"It was she who was there to tend the mystical body of Christ, born of the Savior’s pierced heart, with the same motherly care that she spent on the child Jesus in the crib."
- Pope Pius XII perceptively noted Mary’ dual maternity (from "My Catholic Life")
"Jesus said to His mother, 'Woman, this is your son.' Then to the disciple he said, 'This is your mother.' And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home."
John 19:26b-27
Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Gen 3:9-15, 20; OR Ac 1:12-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 86 (87) 1-2, 3, et 5, 6-7; Gospel Jn 19:25-34.
Mary had been present at the very beginnings of the Church. She was there at the Annunciation when her humble consent in purity of heart allowed the Son of God to take flesh in her virginal womb. She was also present standing at the foot of the cross as her Son and our Savior redeemed the world as part of God's plan. (Catechism 599-600) There she was appointed to be mother of all those who were brought to life through the death of her only Son. (John 19:26-27). Now, at Pentecost, when the apostolic mission of the Church begins, Mary is present as well. She is the perfect pattern of the church at prayer. "She is invoked as Mother of the Church and the teacher and Queen of the Apostles" wrote Pope Leo XIII (d. 1903) in his September 1895 encyclical, Helper of the People (Adjutricem Populi). Pope John XXIII (d.1963) in an allocution in the Basilica of St. Mary Major on December 6, 1960 spoke of Mary as "Mother of the Church and our most loving Mother." (AAS 53, 1961, 35).(2)
For records on apparitions of Mary, click here.
Video on "Our Lady, Mother of the Church".
Address: Church: 1 Jalan Serindik; Redemptorists Community: 19-21 Jalan la Salle; 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia; Tel: (60) 05 5458220; Email: omphip@gmail.com; FaceBook: https://m.facebook.com/OMPHipoh/
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