May 20, 2024, Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Holy Rosary (Joyful Mysteries)

Today, we celebrate the feast of Mary Mother of the Church. We highlight the divine motherhood of Mary and her intimate union in the work of the Redeemer.

This memorial is celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost, which is appropriate as Mary was also present at the birthday of the Church.

In 1964, St. Paul VI declared the Blessed Virgin Mary as “Mother of the Church.”

He established that “the Mother of God should be further honored and invoked by the entire Christian people by this tenderest of titles.”

Pope Francis encouraged “the growth of the maternal sense of the Church in the pastors, religious and faithful, as well as a growth of genuine Marian piety.”

St. Augustine wrote that “Mary is the mother of the members of Christ, because with charity she cooperated in the rebirth of the faithful into the Church.”