The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

February 11, 2018, Pope Francis established the Monday after Pentecost as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church as a fixed celebration in the liturgical calendar.  There has been a long standing tradition of devotion to Mary under this title; prominent saints like St. Augustine and St. Leo the Great referred to Mary under it, declaring that her presence at the foot of the cross and the words of Jesus to St. John as her son and she as his mother include us as members of his Body.  When the Second Vatican Council Fathers deliberated over promulgating at document on Mary, the discussion let to including her in a chapter at the end of the Document, Lumen Gentium,  entitled Mary, Mother of the Church.  Blessed Pope Paul VI officially recognized this as a fitting and appropriate title. As Mary nurtured, guided,  taught and stood by Jesus, she continues to do so with us today. She is our Mother for we are the Church, the Body of Christ.
May we honor her in a special way today by nourishing, guiding, teaching and standing with others.
Bro. Rene