Mary, the Mother of our Lord, is also the Mother of the Church because she lovingly agreed to her Son’s last request.

In November of 1964, as an official declaration, Blessed Pope Paul VI concluded the Third Session of the Second Vatican Council stating that the “Mother of God should be further honored and invoked by the entire Christian people by this most tender of titles” – Mother of the Church.

Last year, Pope Francis incorporated this title into the Roman Liturgical Calendar by establishing the Monday after Pentecost as the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church.

Are you or someone you love in need of Mary’s maternal intercession? She cares for you today in the same tender way she cared for Jesus 2000 years ago.

I invite you to send me your most heartfelt intentions, so that they can be placed at our Lady’s Altar for this beautiful new memorial.

Not only will your special intentions be remembered on the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, but they will also be included in the Association’s special Pentecost Octave of Masses beginning on Pentecost Sunday, June 9, and continuing through June 16.

As a sign of your prayers being lifted up to our heavenly Mother, you are also invited to burn a Votive Light here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri. Your light at the Shrine will be a sign of your prayers to our Lady and of her desire to bring you the light of Christ.

You may request the new easel of our Blessed Mother. I hope you will display the easel in a prominent place in your home, so that it may be a daily reminder that Mary, Mother of the Church, is interceding for you with her Son Jesus.

Thank you for your prayers and for any support you can give to help our Lady’s Association promote devotion.

Your intentions will be remembered here at the Shrine during the Pentecost Octave of Masses, June 9 – 16, which includes the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. May our Lady keep you in her tender, maternal care.

Sincerely in Mary, Mother of the Church,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director