BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH (MEMORIAL)

Behold, your mother. 

As a child, Florence felt her mother’s absence keenly. Her mom wasn’t physically absent, but she was emotionally unavailable. In fact, she often relied on Florence to help with the household chores, to care for the younger children, and even to provide a shoulder to lean on when she felt overwhelmed. Florence learned to silence her own needs in favor of her mother’s.

As an adult, Florence came to terms with this unhealthy pattern, and she was able to forgive her mom. Then, a few years later, she was able to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. There, she joined the thousands of pilgrims in the evening procession. As they all sang “Ave Maria,” she was overwhelmed by Mary’s maternal care for her. She wept as a flood of pure love washed over her.

In speaking of Mary, Pope Francis has often highlighted the tender love she has for each of us, calling her the “Mother of tenderness who is always near.” On today’s feast when we honor Mary as Mother of the Church, we can point to tenderness as a hallmark of her motherhood—the kind of tenderness that Florence had been deprived of as a child. Mary’s love, given to us by her son at the foot of the cross, can be a source of comfort and peace for us.

So look to Mary to be near you in every moment of your life. She who said yes to God’s will at the Annunciation will stand beside you as you open your heart to God’s will for your life. She who experienced tremendous sorrow while watching her son suffer understands your pain when your own suffering comes. And she who stayed with the apostles on the day of Pentecost, humbly awaiting the gift of the Holy Spirit, will pray for you to receive more of God’s love and gifts.

Receive Mary’s tenderness afresh today. Allow her love to wash over you, filling any hurts or wounds you may still carry. Behold, your mother!

“Mary, thank you for your tender love for me and for all your children.”

Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7
John 19:25-34