Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Monday, the day after we celebrate the Birthday of the Church at Pentecost, is the inaugural celebration of the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. Back in March, Pope Francis decreed that the ancient devotion to Our Lady as Mother of the Church be inserted into the Roman calendar.
The decree explains: "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."
You can read the full English text of the decree HERE.
Although this is the first time that this devotion has been inserted in the official calendar, a votive Mass for the devotion of Mary, Mother of the Church was inserted into the Roman Missal in 1975. In 1979, our Sr. Maria of the Cross composed a hymn for Mary, Mother of the Church. We'd like to share it with you! Feel free to download/print/distribute/reproduce/etc. the sheet music (just make sure any reproductions contain the copyright/attribution!).
To save: click the first page below for the .PDF file or right-click both sheets below to save as .PNG (image) files.
