Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the ChurchSt Christopher Magallanes and Companions (1915-1937)
Readings of the day: RB 4:44-62Mass: Ja 3:13-18; Resp Ps 19; Mk 9:14-29For the Memorial, Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: Gn 3:9-15, 20 or Ac 1:12-14; Resp Ps 87; Jn 19:25-34

O blessed mother of the Church,
you warm our hearts with the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ.ALLELUIA!
The greatness of our Lady was in her humility. No wonder Jesus, who lived so close to her, seemed to be so anxious that we learn from him and from her but one lesson: to be meek and humble of heart.(Saint Teresa of Calcutta)
We celebrate for the first time the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. All Cistercian monasteries are dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. We rejoice today and celebrate with all the faithful, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Church; dear Mary, so meek and humble of heart; ‘the Mother standing beneath the cross (cf. Jn 19:25), accepted her Son’s testament of love and welcomed all people in the person of the beloved disciple as sons and daughters to be reborn unto life eternal. She thus became the tender Mother of the Church which Christ begot on the cross handing on the Spirit. Christ, in turn, in the beloved disciple, chose all disciples as ministers of his love towards his Mother, entrusting her to them so that they might welcome her with filial affection…This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God’ (Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Feb. 11, 2018).
How happy is shewho is both mother and spouse of Godthe gate of heaventhe loveliness of paradiselady of angelsqueen of the universejoy of the saintsadvocate of believerscourage of those who fightrecaller of those who wandermedicine of the penitent.
O sure salvation!Short path of life!Sole hope of pardonsweetness unique.
You, my Lady,are my all.
In your handshas been stored for methe fulness of all good.
With youhave been hidden the unfailing treasuresof truth and graceof peace and pityof salvation and wisdomof glory and honor.
You are my anchor amid the billowsmy port in shipwreckmy support in tribulationmy comfort in grief.
For those who are yoursyou areaid in oppressionhelp in time of crisistemperance in prosperityjoy in time of waitingrefreshment in toil.
Whatsoever I can stammerin your praiseis lessthan your praisefor you are worthy of all praise.
(Adam of Perseigne, c.1145-1221, Letter III, 25)