Saint of the Day for 20 May: Mary Mother of the Church
Mary Mother of the Church: Meaning, Devotion and Theological Significance
Name
Mary Mother of the Church
Title
Mother of the faithful and pastors of the Church
Recurrence
20 May
Prayer
Help, O Mother, our faith!
Open our listening to the Word, that we may recognize God’s voice and his call.
Awaken in us the desire to follow in his steps, stepping out of our own land and accepting his promise.
Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him by faith.
Help us to trust Him fully, to believe in His love, especially in times of tribulation and cross, when our faith is called to mature.
Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One.
Remind us that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to look with the eyes of Jesus, that He may be light on our path. And may this light of faith always grow in us, until that day without sunset comes, who is Christ Himself, your Son, our Lord!
Patron of
Porto Viro, Teolo
The Saint and Mission
Mary Mother of the Church carries out a fundamental mission in the life of the Christian community, representing a model of faith, love and service. As a spiritual mother, Mary accompanies believers on their journey of faith, offering protection and intercession. Her mission is intrinsically linked to the mission of Christ and the Church, as she herself experienced total surrender to God’s will and participated fully in the mystery of redemption. In Mary, the faithful find a perfect example of discipleship and mission. Her life of obedience, humility and unconditional love for others inspires Christians to live according to the teachings of Jesus. Her maternal presence and constant intercession offer comfort and hope, especially in times of difficulty and trial. Mary Mother of the Church embodies the Church’s mission to bring Christ to the world and to guide the faithful toward deeper communion with God. Her mission of maternal love is a constant invitation to all believers to follow her example of service and dedication, contributing to the building of a Christian community based on charity, justice and peace.
The Saint and Mercy
Mary Mother of the Church represents divine mercy in a tangible and profound way. Her life, marked by total adherence to God’s will, reflects a mercy that welcomes, consoles and guides. As the mother of all believers, Mary extends her maternal love to each one, offering intercession and protection. Her mercy is manifested in her constant efforts to bring believers closer to Christ, helping them find hope and peace in their difficulties. Mary showed mercy at many moments in her life, beginning at the Annunciation, when she humbly accepted the role of mother of the Savior, and ending at the foot of the cross, where she shared her Son’s pain and offered comfort to the other disciples. Her presence in the cenacle, supporting the apostles with her prayer, shows a mercy that never abandons. Through Marian apparitions and the many devotions dedicated to her, Mary continues to manifest God’s mercy, calling believers to repentance, prayer and mutual love. Her life and example invite all to experience active and concrete mercy, reflecting God’s unconditional love for humanity.
Hagiography
On Feb. 11, 2018 at the behest of Pope Francis, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments inscribed in the General Roman Calendar, on the Monday after Pentecost, the celebration of Mary Mother of the Church with the degree of memorial…