Why is Mary 'Mother of the Church'?

Monday, June 1st, 2020

Why is Mary Mother of the Church?  Certainly this is what Vatican II thought: As St John Paul II explains: “After proclaiming Mary a "pre-eminent member", the "type" and "model" of the Church, the Second Vatican Council says: "The Catholic Church, taught by the Holy Spirit, honours her with filial affection and devotion as a most beloved mother" (Lumen gentium, n. 53).  But again - why?  As he says: “The faithful first called upon Mary with the title "Mother of God", "Mother of the faithful" or "our Mother", to emphasize her personal relationship with each of her children.  Later, because of the greater attention paid to the mystery of the Church and to Mary’s relationship to her, the Blessed Virgin began more frequently to be invoked as "Mother of the Church".  Before the Second Vatican Council, this expression was found in Pope Leo XIII’s Magisterium, in which it is affirmed that Mary is "in all truth mother of the Church" (Acta Leonis XIII, 15, 302). The title was later used many times in the teachings of John XXIII and Paul VI.”

This is practically useful for us - because for starters the Church on earth is not perfect: indeed, her members can be very annoying, foolish or hurtful.  It sometimes seems as if the Church is doing some strange projects.  Invoking Mary Mother of the Church is useful here: it reminds us the Church is still something great and beautiful beloved by God; and also that any troubles we see, we can bring to Mary, Terror of Demons, to look after and put in order.  And then we can have some peace.