May you continue to look to Mary, the Mother of the Church, and follow her example of being a disciple of her Son, Jesus.
On March 3, 2018, Pope Francis approved and announced the new celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. It is a universal, required Memorial to be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost. I have always respected Mary as an excellent role model of what it means to be a loving mother, a devoted woman of faith, a disciple of Jesus, and a servant to others. It seems appropriate that this celebration of Mary being the Mother of the Church, the Body of Christ, is celebrated on the day after Pentecost, the “Birthday of the Church.” In scripture and tradition, Mary has been seen as the person to whom the early church looked in proclaiming the GOoD News of Jesus after His ascension into heaven. Let us celebrate with the worldwide church this day when we call upon Mary as the Mother of the Church.
