Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

As we celebrate Mary under her title Mother of the Church, let us commit to following her footsteps of faith in our lives. From her first surrender, “Let it be done unto me,” to her final instruction, “Do whatever He says,” her words guide us and instruct us in our faith. Mary gently reveals her heart at the Annunciation, marking a distinct difference from Eve’s. Where Eve sought to be like God, Mary chose to serve: “I am the servant of the Lord.”

Saint Peter Julian Eymard, our patron, saw Mary as the first adorer of our Lord since she carried him from conception to birth. Her maternity extends to the Church as it is the body of Christ. According to St. Eymard: “I thanked our Lord for having given us a mother so pure, so holy, so great; for having made her His divine mother so that as her Son, he might give her to us with her merits and graces.”

Now our “good mother” leads us to adoration, where He can be present to us and where we can hear His voice in our hearts. There, we can offer Him every breath as an act of love guided by Mary’s maternal presence. Here again, we find the mystery of the Incarnation in Mary’s arms.

Prayer:

“Dear Mother Mary, fill every space in our soul with love for your son. May the shadow of his cross heal our soul and remind us that the love of His surrender on the cross is greater than any wrong, illness, or emotional pain. Please help us to understand all things through the presence of Christ, your son. Help us always to live out your words, spoken in Cana: “Do whatever he tells you.” Amen.