We have been given a special gift by our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
On March 3rd 2018, he declared a new feast day, the Memorial of Mary, Mother of The Church. It will be celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost, which for the first time is May 21st 2018. This celebration was first granted by Pope Paul VI to a few countries at Vatican II, and has now been shared with the entire Body of Christ.
Perhaps we’ll see Pope Francis’ prayer added to the Rosary at some point?
Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of our faith
Mother, help our faith!
Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognize his voice and call.
Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, to go forth from our own land and to receive his promise.
Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith.
Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love, especially at times of trial, beneath the shadow of the cross, when our faith is called to mature.
Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One.
Remind us that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path. And may this light of faith always increase in us, until the dawn of that undying day which is Christ himself, your Son, our Lord!Prayer to Mary at the conclusion of the Encyclical Lumen Fidei (29 June 2013)
What a beautiful recognition that the Mother of Christ, our head, is also the Mother of the Body of Christ!