Sin robbed our souls of divine grace, and therefore of life. But Jesus, our Redeemer, overflowing with mercy and love, came to restore what had been lost. By His death on the Cross, He returned life to us and even gave it more abundantly. As He Himself said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
The blessings won through His redemption exceed the harm caused by Adam’s sin. By reconciling us to God, Jesus became the Father of souls reborn in grace, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy: “He shall be called the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.”
And if Jesus is our Father in this new life, then Mary—who gave Him to us—must truly be our Mother.
The saints teach that Mary became our Mother in two great moments.
The first was at the Annunciation. When Mary consented to become the Mother of the Son of God, she also embraced God’s plan for our salvation. From that moment forward, she loved us with a mother’s heart. St. Bernardine of Siena says that the instant she gave her “yes,” she conceived us spiritually in her love and carried us with her from that hour.
St. Luke tells us she “brought forth her first-born Son,” but the Church teaches that Mary had no other children according to the flesh. Instead, she has countless spiritual children—every soul who receives grace. Jesus explained to St. Gertrude that while He was Mary’s first-born in the flesh, all the redeemed are her second-born in the spirit.
The second moment Mary became our Mother was on Calvary. There, with a heart pierced by sorrow, she offered her beloved Son to the Eternal Father for our salvation. St. Augustine teaches that just as a woman suffers in childbirth, Mary suffered with Jesus in giving birth to us in grace. By willingly uniting her heart to His sacrifice, she became the spiritual Mother of all who belong to Him.
Jesus confirmed this from the Cross. Seeing His Mother and St. John standing nearby, He said to Mary: “Behold your Son.” In that moment, He entrusted to her not only John, but the entire human race redeemed by His sacrifice. Then He said to the disciple: “Behold your Mother.”
St. Bernardine explains that Jesus used John as a symbol of all the faithful, giving Mary as Mother to every soul who would follow Him.
How blessed are we to live under such a tender Mother! Even David, centuries before Mary was born, placed himself under her care in faith, praying: “Save the son of your handmaid.”
The saints echo this trust. St. Robert Bellarmine asks who could ever tear a child from the arms of such a Mother. No temptation of hell can conquer the soul that takes refuge in Mary.
Mary herself said to St. Bridget: “As a mother who sees her son in danger will do everything to save him, so do I for sinners who seek my mercy.”
In every trial, in every struggle, those who turn to the Mother of God with confidence will not be defeated. This is why the Church has prayed from ancient times: “We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God.”
St. Bonaventure teaches: “Whoever loves this good Mother and trusts in her protection will grow strong in confidence, knowing that Jesus is our Brother and Mary is our Mother.”
St. Anselm adds with joy: “O happy confidence! The Mother of God is my Mother.”
Our trust should be firm and peaceful, for our salvation rests in the hands of a loving Brother and a tender Mother.
Scripture speaks in Mary’s voice when it says: “He that is a little one, let him turn to me.”
Just as little children cry for their mother in fear or danger, so should we call upon Mary. This is the very reason our confidence in her should be strong and unwavering—because she truly is our Mother.
PRAYER
O most holy Mother Mary,
you are so holy, and I am such a sinner.
You are rich in virtue, and I am poor.
If I cannot deserve to be your child,
then at least let me be counted among your servants.
Still, I trust in your powerful intercession with your Son.
Help me turn to Him with sincere repentance
and a firm purpose of amendment.
Cleansed from sin by His redeeming death,
accept me as your child now,
and at the hour of my death.
Amen.
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