Blessed Mother

+J.M.J+

Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church

Prior to 1969, 11 October was the Feast of the Maternity of Mary. Since the liturgical changes designated 1 January as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the old feast of her Maternity must have seemed redundant, and was discontinued. Some places, however, celebrate it as the feast of Mary under her title "Mother of the Church," which was specially promoted at the Second Vatican Council.

Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church

O Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church to you we recommend ourselves and the entire Church.

Guide and assist our Holy Father and our Bishops in their apostolic mission, and aid all who help them in their work.

Mother of the Church, enlighten the People of God along the paths of faith, hope and love. You were given to us as a mother by your Divine Son at the moment of his redeeming death.

Remember us your children, support our prayers to God.

Preserve our Faith, strengthen our Hope, increase our Charity.

Immaculate Heart! Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today.

From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, and from every kind of war, deliver us.

From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.

From every kind of injustice in the life of society, deliver us.

From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.

From attempts to stifle the very truth of God, deliver us.

From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us.

From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.

O Mary, conceived without sin, we who are gathered here today place ourselves under your special protection.

We resolve to walk in your footsteps and to imitate your virtues. Obtain for us, O tender Mother, the grace of being faithful to this promise. Amen.

AMDG et BVMH