The Blessed Virgin Mary’s maternal care for the Church has been recognized for centuries although her formal title and feast day are relatively new.
Pope Paul VI formally declared Mary as Mother of the Church in 1964 and Pope Francis established an obligatory memorial in 2018.
Mary not only accompanied Jesus during the most important events in his life but worked alongside the Apostles to fulfill their mission after his Ascension into Heaven.
She accompanied the first Christians, praying and giving witness with them until her body and soul were assumed into Heaven where she continues to pray us.
The Church celebrates The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church on the Monday after Pentecost, one day after the Church was born.
Experiencing God’s love through the heart of Mary:
Mary is the mother of the Body of Christ:
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, He said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
John 19: 26-27
The woman who is mother of all the redeemed:
Jesus gave his mother to the Church:
Since the Virgin Mary’s role in the mystery of Christ and the Spirit has been treated, it is fitting now to consider her place in the mystery of the Church. “The Virgin Mary . . . is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer. . . . She is ‘clearly the mother of the members of Christ’ . . . since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head.” “Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 963
Mary is integral to the plan of God:
She is the image of what the Church should be:
Joined by a close and indissoluble bond to the Mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption, the Blessed Virgin, the Immaculate, was at the end of her earthly life raised body and soul to heavenly glory and likened to her risen Son in anticipation of the future lot of all the just; and we believe that 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.
Pope Paul VI, Solemni Hac Liturgia, June 30, 1968
We have a relationship with Mary through Jesus:
We are all one Church and Mary is our mother:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
It is He:
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