Mary, Mother of the Church

The Role of Mary in Our Salvation

One of the most profound moments in the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ occurred during His crucifixion, as He entrusted His beloved disciple and His mother to one another. In the Gospel of John, we read:

“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (John 19:25-27).

This poignant exchange between Jesus, His mother, and His beloved disciple marks the moment Our Lady was entrusted with a new and profound mission that would shape the Church for millennia.

A Mother’s Love that Never Fails

The phrase “standing by the Cross of Jesus” is loaded with meaning. It signifies more than physical proximity; it represents Mary’s spiritual and emotional strength during the most tragic moment in human history.

As Jesus suffered and died, Mary did not flee. Unlike the disciples, who scattered in fear, Mary remained steadfast. She stood—a symbol of unwavering faith, strength and maternal love.

Our Lady’s action of standing by the Cross was not passive; it was a conscious choice to bear the agony of watching her Son suffer for the world's salvation. At that moment, Mary merited a new calling: in addition to being the Mother of Jesus, she became the Mother of the Church, embracing all followers of her Son as her children.

This is why, as Jesus uttered His final words from the cross, He entrusted the disciple whom He loved to His mother. By doing so, He made her the spiritual mother of all Catholics.

The decree that established the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, emphasizes how Mary’s presence at the foot of the Cross was an essential moment in the history of salvation. There, as she stood in silent grief, she became the mother of all those whom Jesus called His own.

Mary’s Role as Mother of the Church

Mary’s role as Mother of the Church was not fully realized until after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension. At the Cross, she was given a new identity that transcended her earthly motherhood. She became the spiritual mother of all the faithful.

This role is essential to understanding her participation in the work of our salvation.

The title Mother of the Church was formally recognized in the twentieth century but is rooted in early Christian thought. Saint Ambrose of Milan first used the title in the fourth century to express Mary’s intimate relationship with the Church.

Later, Pope Leo XIII, in his 1895 encyclical Adjutricem populi, acknowledged Mary as the Mother of the Church, invoking her as a helper of the people and a teacher to the apostles.

The Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church

In 2018, Pope Francis established a new feast day for Mary, Mother of the Church, which falls on the Monday after Pentecost. This was a significant moment in the Church's liturgical life, linking Mary’s role as Mother of the Church to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. According to the decree for the establishment of this feast, its purpose is to help the faithful “anchor” their growth in the Christian life to the Mystery of the Cross, to Christ’s sacrifice in the Eucharist, and to the maternal care of Mary, the Mother of the Redeemer and the redeemed.

In his letter announcing this feast, Cardinal Robert Sarah explained that the celebration aims to deepen the faithful’s affection and piety toward the Blessed Mother and encourage growth in the “maternal sense of the Church.” Through this feast, the Church invites us to reflect on Mary’s continuous presence, love and intercession for each of us.

Mary’s role as Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) aligns with the Church’s mission to nurture the faithful in the life of grace. In his writings, St. Augustine described Mary as the “Mother of the members of Christ,” acknowledging her cooperation in the spiritual rebirth of Christians. Just as she gave birth to Jesus, she now gives spiritual birth to the faithful, leading us to a deeper union with her Son.

A New Feast Offers a New Opportunity

The establishment of the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, offers the faithful an opportunity to reflect on Our Lady's maternal care and guidance in our lives. The image of Mary gently enfolding the faithful in her mantle, as depicted in the accompanying artwork, serves as a reminder of her loving protection and intercession.

As Mother of the Church, Mary leads us not only to her Son, but to a deeper understanding of the Church as our spiritual family. She is a model of discipleship, showing us how to remain steadfast in faith, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

The feast, celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost, is a time for the faithful to renew their devotion to Mary, acknowledging her role in the Church's life and their personal spiritual journeys.

It is a day to reflect on how Mary continues to shape the Church and guide Catholics towards holiness, inviting us to embrace our role in the body of Christ with the same faith, love and trust she exemplified.

Conclusion: Embracing Our Lady's Salvific Role

Mother of the Church is more than an honorary title—it is a truth about Mary’s participation in God’s plan of salvation. Through her suffering at the foot of the Cross, Mary became a constant source of strength for all who seek to follow Christ. As we celebrate her feast, we are invited to reflect on her maternal care for us and to live in communion with her as she leads us closer to her Son.

May we, like Mary, stand firm in our faith, and may her example inspire us to embrace our role as members of the Church, trusting that even in moments of great sorrow and even confusion, God’s plan will ultimately lead to our redemption.