The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church was established by Pope Francis in 2018 in order to enhance the spirit of Pentecost among the faithful.
We have popularly called Pentecost the “birthday” of the Church because of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit on the Blessed Mother, the apostles and disciples. It is fitting to honor Mary as mother of the Church in all of its faithful.
Among others, St. Augustine taught of Mary’s role as mother of the Church:
She is clearly the Mother of his members; that is, of ourselves, because she cooperated by her charity, so that faithful Christians, members of the Head, might be born in the Church…Mary gave birth to our Head; the Church gave birth to you.
Sermon 192, Feast of the Nativity
St. Pope Paul VI spoke of Mary as mother to the Church in his closing address to the third session of the Second Vatican Council on November 21, 1964:
Taking into consideration the close ties by which Mary and the Church are bound together, to the glory of the Blessed Virgin and for our consolation, We declare Mary Most Holy to be Mother of the Church, that is, of the whole Christian people, faithful and Pastors alike, who invoke her as their most loving Mother.
On this feast of Mary, may we allow Mary’s example to inspire us to share the love of God among our own families and relatives.
