On 3 March 2018, His Holiness, Pope Francis issued a decree establishing a new liturgical Memorial in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. The practice of referring to Mary as the Mother of the Church began in the fourth century A.D. It was Saint Ambrose of Milan who first used this title, and it has continued in the tradition of the Church to the present day.
Pope John Paul II stated that overall the title indicates the Blessed Virgin Mary's maternity of Christ's faithful, as deriving from her maternity of Christ in that Mary is present in the Church as the Mother of Christ, and at the same time as that Mother whom Christ, in the mystery of the Redemption, gave to humanity in the person of the Apostle John (cf John 19:27). Thus, in her new motherhood in the Spirit, Mary embraces each and every one in the Church, and embraces each and every one through the Church.
Pope Francis has often used the image of a loving mother to refer to the entire Church. This image is rooted in the enduring belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary is indeed the Mother of the Church and our heavenly mother. Today, let us turn to her with grateful hearts. We thank her for all the graces and blessings we have received, especially during the Easter season that ended yesterday, and we thank her for her continued guidance as we continue the journey of walking through this world as joyful disciples.
Have a great day.
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