Mary, Mother of the Church
Feast Day: Monday After Pentecost
On Sunday, the Church celebrates her birthday.
On Monday, she celebrates her Mother.
That is not a coincidence.
Every birthday has a mother somewhere in the story.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
A Gift From the Cross
As Jesus was dying, He looked down and saw His mother standing near the Cross with St. John, the beloved disciple.
“When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son.”
— John 19:26, Douay-Rheims
“After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.”
— John 19:27, Douay-Rheims
Jesus had almost nothing left to give.
His clothes had been taken.
His friends had run away.
And He gave John His mother.
The Church has always understood that in John, Jesus was giving Mary to all of us.
Mary at Pentecost
Before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the Apostles were gathered in prayer.
And Mary was right there with them.
“All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
— Acts 1:14, Douay-Rheims
Mary was present when Jesus was born.
She was present when the Church was born.
(See Pentecost.)
A Title Given at the Council
The title “Mother of the Church” is ancient in spirit, but it was solemnly proclaimed in modern times.
On November 21, 1964, during the Second Vatican Council, Pope St. Paul VI declared Mary to be the Mother of the Church.
He explained that she is the mother of all the faithful and of all the pastors of the Church.
A New Memorial
In 2018, Pope Francis added the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, to the calendar of the whole Church.
He placed it on the Monday after Pentecost, so that we would see the close bond between Mary and the Church born on that day.
When Is It Celebrated?
The Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, is celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday.
Because Pentecost depends on the date of Easter, the date changes every year.
In 2027, it falls on May 17.
In 2028, it falls on June 5.
What Mary, Mother of the Church Teaches Us
A mother does not stop caring for her children when they grow up.
Mary has not stopped caring for the Church.
She prays for us, she points us to her Son, and she teaches us to say yes to God.
Like John, we are invited to take her into our homes.
When Is the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church?
The Catholic Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, on the Monday after Pentecost.
Prayer Inspired by Mary, Mother of the Church
Lord Jesus Christ,
from the Cross You gave us Your Mother to be our own.
Through her prayers,
keep the Church united in faith and love.
Help us, like St. John, to take her into our homes,
and like her, to say yes to Your will.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Amen.
