On May 1, the Bishops of the United States joined with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to renew the consecration of both nations to the care of Mary, our Blessed Mother. One month later, on June 1, we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church/Memoria de la Bienaventurada Virgen María, Madre De La Iglesia. This feast—celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost—is relatively new; it was added to the Liturgical Calendar in February 2018. See this short article from Catechist magazine for more information.
We encourage you to entrust yourself and your family to the care of our Blessed Mother—on this feast day and every day.
O God, Father of mercies,
whose Only Begotten Son, as he hung upon the Cross,
chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother,
to be our Mother also,
grant, we pray, that with her loving help
your Church may be more fruitful day by day
and, exulting in the holiness of her children,
may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Read “Mary: Disciple and Woman of Faith” from Catechist to learn more about Mary and her role in the life of the Church.
Image credit: Corinne SIMON/CIRIC
Prayer credit: USCCB.org