THE MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH.
MONDAY , MAY 25TH , 2026.
DAY AFTER THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST.
THE GOODNEWS:
"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.
After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
“It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
“Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out." (John19:25-34).
Monday May 25th 2026 in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.
Our Blessed Mother has many titles:
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of Mercy,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother of Hope,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother in violate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good Counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior.
(From the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary/ Loretto).
The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church was promulgated by Pope Francis in 2018 to be celebrated all over the world on the Monday after the Solemnity of the Pentecost.
At the Annunciation, the young Mary accepted to be the Mother of the Savior: "Be it done to me according to Your word."
At the foot of the Cross of Jesus, Mary nodded silently when Jesus said: "Woman, behold your son."
John the Apostle represents the Church.
And Mary becomes the Mother of the Church.
The Church prays in her Collect of today's feast:
"O God, Father of mercies,whose Only Begotten Son, as he hung upon the Cross, chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother, to be our Mother also, grant, we pray, that with her loving help your Church may be more fruitful day by day and, exulting in the holiness of her children, may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples...."
Mary Mother of the Church, pray for us.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
“By this sweetest of names the whole Christian people should henceforth give still greater honor to the Mother of God.” (Pope St Paul VI).
“The title of Mother of the Church has been bestowed on the Blessed Virgin Mary because she gave birth to Christ, the Head of the Church, and became Mother of the redeemed before her Son gave up his spirit on the Cross.” (USCCB).
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
