Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

St Christopher Magallanes and Companions (1915-1937)

Readings of the day: RB 4:44-62

Mass: Ja 3:13-18; Resp Ps 19; Mk 9:14-29

For the Memorial, Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: Gn 3:9-15, 20 or Ac 1:12-14; Resp Ps 87; Jn 19:25-34

O blessed mother of the Church,
you warm our hearts with the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ.

ALLELUIA!

The greatness of our Lady was in her humility. No wonder Jesus, who lived so close to her, seemed to be so anxious that we learn from him and from her but one lesson: 

to be meek and humble of heart.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

We celebrate for the first time the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. All Cistercian monasteries are dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. We rejoice today and celebrate with all the faithful, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Church; dear Mary, so meek and humble of heart; ‘the Mother standing beneath the cross (cf. Jn 19:25), accepted her Son’s testament of love and welcomed all people in the person of the beloved disciple as sons and daughters to be reborn unto life eternal. She thus became the tender Mother of the Church which Christ begot on the cross handing on the Spirit. Christ, in turn, in the beloved disciple, chose all disciples as ministers of his love towards his Mother, entrusting her to them so that they might welcome her with filial affection…This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God’ (Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Feb. 11, 2018).

How happy is she

who is both mother and spouse of God

the gate of heaven

the loveliness of paradise

lady of angels

queen of the universe

joy of the saints

advocate of believers

courage of those who fight

recaller of those who wander

medicine of the penitent.

O sure salvation!

Short path of life!

Sole hope of pardon

sweetness unique.

You, my Lady,

are my all.

In your hands

has been stored for me

the fulness of all good.

With you

have been hidden the unfailing treasures

of truth and grace

of peace and pity

of salvation and wisdom

of glory and honor.

You are my anchor amid the billows

my port in shipwreck

my support in tribulation

my comfort in grief.

For those who are yours

you are

aid in oppression

help in time of crisis

temperance in prosperity

joy in time of waiting

refreshment in toil.

Whatsoever I can stammer

in your praise

is less

than your praise

for you are worthy of all praise.

(Adam of Perseigne, c.1145-1221, Letter III, 25)