A Pilgrim's Journey: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Friday, May 19, 2023

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Members of the Ordinariate observe the Memorial of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, on the Saturday after Ascension Day. This Memorial has a precedence higher than any other Memorial, but lower than all Feasts, Solemnities, and privileged Octaves.

Although the General Roman Calendar observes this Memorial on Whitmonday, the move within the Ordinariate to the Saturday after Ascension Day prevents the Memorial from being permanently displaced by the higher ranking day within the Octave of Pentecost.

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O GOD, Father of mercies, whose Only Begotten Son, whilst nailed upon the Cross, did choose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his own Mother, to be our Mother also: grant, we beseech thee, that, with the assistance of her charity, thy Church, made more fruitful day by day, may exult in the holiness of her offspring, and may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples; through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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Painting: "Our Lady, Queen of the Church"

by Janusz Antosz

Meeting Pope St. John Paul II

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."