The Feast of "Mary, Mother of the Church" holds profound significance in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, serving as a reminder of Mary's maternal role in the life of the Church and her intimate connection to the mysteries of salvation. St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, reminds us that
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption." - Galatians 4:4
This passage highlights the unique and pivotal role of Mary in God's salvific plan. Out of love and sacrifice for God's people, Mary consented to God's will, becoming the mother of the Savior and, by extension, the spiritual mother of all who follow Christ. When Jesus, fully divine and fully human, entered the world through Mary, He fulfilled the law and inaugurated a new covenant of grace and truth. Mary, by her “fiat”, her "yes" to God's plan and complete entrustment to God's will, participated intimately in this redemptive mission. Her willingness to bear and nurture Jesus was a profound act of love and sacrifice, echoing the covenantal themes present since the time of Moses. Just as the law was given to guide and shape the identity of the Israelites, Mary's role in the Incarnation and in the Church shapes and guides the identity of the Christian community.
As we read in the Old Testament, we witness the awe-inspiring moment when the Lord descended at Mount Sinai as fire in a bush, to deliver the law to the twelve tribes of Israel through His chosen mediator, Moses. This profound encounter marked the establishment of a covenant between God and Israelites as His chosen people, setting the foundation for their identity and mission as a chosen nation. Fast forward to the New Testament, and we encounter a striking parallel as the Lord descends upon the twelve Apostles in tongues of fire, not to deliver a law written on tablet stones, but to infuse their hearts with the fire of His divine love and commission them to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. Yet, what sets this moment apart is the presence of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who stands as a maternal figure among the Apostles, interceding for them and ushering in a new covenant of grace and redemption.
Mary's title as "Mother of the Church" was first used by Saint Ambrose of Milan in the 4th century. Various Popes and Saints used the title since then, and it was formally proclaimed by Saint Paul VI at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council in 1964. In his encyclical Lumen Gentium, Saint Paul VI beautifully articulates the profound significance of Mary's role in the life of the Church, stating,
"The Mother of God is a type of the Church in the order of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ."
This underscores the close relationship between Mary and the Church, highlighting her exemplary faith, selfless charity, and intimate union with Christ. Just as Mary's fiat at the Annunciation paved the way for the Incarnation, so too does her ongoing presence and intercession nourish and sustain the life of the Church.
In 1980, Saint John Paul II added Mary's title Mother of the Church in the Litany. This title was then formally instituted as a Feast and added to the Roman Calendar by Pope Francis on 11 February 2018. This feast is celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost, affirming her maternal care for the entire Body of Christ and highlighting the close association between Mary and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles at Pentecost. This title underscores her enduring presence and intercession within the Church. While the theological significance of Mary as the Mother of the Church dates back to early Christian tradition, the establishment of this feast by Pope Francis reflects the ongoing appreciation and devotion to Mary within the Church.
The choice of the day after Pentecost for this feast is significant, as it underscores Mary's unique role in the birth and mission of the Church. Just as Mary played a central role in the life of Jesus, conceiving and giving birth to him by the power of the Holy Spirit, so too does she play a vital role in the spiritual birth and growth of the Church. Her love and sacrifice for God's people are evident in her ongoing role within the Church. Her intercession, her example of faith and obedience, and her maternal care continue to nurture and guide the Church and its people. At Pentecost, Mary was present among the apostles, praying with them and interceding for them as they received the Holy Spirit and were empowered to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Her prayers and presence were instrumental in the birth of the Church and further solidified her role as the Mother of the Church, just as her initial "yes" was crucial to the birth of Christ.
It is vital to recognize that the Church was not the creation of human effort or ingenuity, but rather the divine institution commissioned by Jesus Christ himself. Understanding that the Church is God's work invites us to a deeper sense of reverence and responsibility. It calls us to recognize that our participation in the Church's mission is a response to God's calling. We are stewards of a divine legacy, entrusted with the task of living out and spreading the Gospel. This realisation should inspire humility and gratitude, knowing that we are part of something far greater than ourselves, a spiritual family that spans across time and space, united in the love of Christ throughout eternity.
At the foot of the Cross, Jesus entrusted Mary to the beloved disciple John, who acts as a representative of all disciples of Jesus, saying
"Woman, behold your son" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother" - John 19:26-27
In this moment, Mary's spiritual motherhood was extended to all who wants to follow Christ. The passion of Christ for the salvation of His people is intimately connected to the compassion of Mary for the salvation of God's people. As Jesus endured suffering and death on the cross to redeem humanity, Mary stood by, sharing in His pain and sorrow with a heart full of maternal love and compassion. Her presence at the foot of the cross exemplifies her profound solidarity with her Son's redemptive mission. This unity in suffering underscores Mary's role as the Mother of the Church, reflecting her deep concern for the spiritual well-being of all Christians. Just as Christ's passion was driven by His love for humanity, Mary's compassionate intercession continues to support and nurture us, guiding us towards the fullness of salvation in Christ. Just as Eve was "the mother of all the living" (Genesis 3:20), Mary is the mother of all those living in Christ.
In this context, the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, holds deep theological and spiritual significance. Just as she stood at the foot of the Cross, united in solidarity with her Son's redemptive sacrifice, so too does she stand among the Apostles at Pentecost, accompanying them with her maternal care and intercession as they receive the Holy Spirit and are empowered to fulfil the Church’s mission commissioned by Jesus Himself. As the flames of divine love descend upon the Apostles, indwelling them with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, Mary's presence serves as a reminder of her integral role in the life of the Church. She exemplifies perfect obedience to God's will and unyielding faith, making her an ideal model for all Christians. Through her “fiat”, her "yes" to God's plan of salvation, Mary becomes the Mother of Jesus and, by extension, the Mother of the Church, nurturing and guiding the Church and it’s people in our journey of faith. Her "yes" to God's plan for salvation, serves as a model of discipleship for all Christians, inviting us to entrust ourselves fully to God's providence and to cooperate with His grace in fulfilling His divine purposes.
Thus, as we reflect on Mary's title as Mother of the Church, we are invited to reflect this profound reality and contemplate her maternal intercession and advocacy on behalf of the Church, as well as her role in mediating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost. Just as she stood as a beacon of faith and hope for the early disciples, so too does she stand as a model of discipleship and devotion for all believers, guiding us with her gentle hand and leading us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ, who is the source of all grace and salvation. In one of the profound reflections of Saint John Paul II on Mary, he said
"As the dawn preceding the Day that never fades beautifully captures the unique and intimate relationship between Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ. In choosing Mary in advance to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word, God bestowed upon her a singular grace and privilege, making her the first fruits of His redeeming action".
Mary's immaculate conception and her “fiat”, her "yes" to God's plan of salvation, mark the beginning of the fulfilment of God's promise to humanity. Just as the dawn heralds the arrival of a new day, so too does Mary's presence signal the dawn of redemption, ushering in the light of Christ into the world. As we contemplate Mary's pivotal role in salvation history, we are invited to draw closer to her, seeking her intercession and guidance in our own journey of faith. Like the dawn, Mary shines with beauty, reflecting the light coming from God and illuminating the path to her Son, leading us into the fullness of God's love and mercy. As we honour Mary, we are encouraged to emulate her virtues of faith, humility, and obedience, and may we say “yes” to God and “yes” to Mary. Our "yes" to God echoes the "yes" of Mary, as we open ourselves to receive the abundant graces from God through her intercession. It is through God's grace and Mary's intercession, she who is "full of grace", that we are empowered to respond affirmatively to God's calling, entrusting our lives fully to His divine will and divine plan of salvation. Mary's exemplary "fiat" at the Annunciation serves as a model for our own acts of faith and obedience, illustrating how divine grace enables us to embrace our vocations and live out God's purposes.
In our own lives, we are called to recognize the love and sacrifice of Mary, and through her, to deepen our relationship with Jesus. Let us turn to Mary with confidence, entrusting ourselves to her loving care and seeking her intercession in our spiritual journey. By seeking her intercession and following her example, we can grow in our faith and commitment to living out the Gospel. Mary's enduring presence in the Church reminds us that we are part of a divine family, united in love and mission of Christ. Through her maternal care and intercession, Mary brings us closer to the true faith and love for Jesus, guiding us to a deeper relationship with Him and a greater commitment to living out His Gospel in our daily lives. Through her maternal guidance, we are led closer to her Son, Jesus Christ, who fulfils the law and brings us into the fullness of God's grace.
As we celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, we are encouraged to deepen our devotion to God through Mary, seeking her intercession and guidance in our lives, and allowing her to lead us ever closer to the heart of her Son. May her example of faith and obedience inspire us to embrace our call to discipleship with courage and humility, as we strive to follow Jesus more closely, keep the commandments, and bear witness to Jesus, as Saint John wrote on Revelation 12:17. Her maternal care and guidance provide the spiritual support we need, as "her offspring", to remain steadfast in our commitment to God, fostering a deeper relationship with Him and a greater participation in His redemptive mission. It is because of Mary's "yes" and her role in bringing Jesus Christ into the world that we can call ourselves sons and daughters of God and identify ourselves as Christians. Through her, we are drawn into the divine family, receiving the grace to live as true children of God. Just as Mary accompanied the apostles at Pentecost, so too does she accompany each of us on our journey of faith, leading us closer to her Son, and renew our commitment to the mission Christ entrusted to His Church. By doing so, may we honour not only Mary but also the divine origins of the Church and the sacred commission we have received through the Sacrament of Baptism, and to bring the light and the Gospel of Christ to all the ends of the earth.
Mary, Mother of the Church. Please pray for us.
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