Liturgical Guide: Mary, Mother of God

The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is an ancient feast with it's origins in the Eastern Church. It was eventually expanded to the entire Catholic Church in 1570 by Pope Pius V. Beginning at paragraph #963, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says this of Mary - Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church: "The Virgin Mary is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer. She is clearly the mother of the members of Christ since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head. Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior's work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace." HYMN SELECTIONS FROM THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS73. Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You79. Joy to You80. O Mary, of All Women Reflection by Monsignor James P. Moroney of CatholicTV COLLECTO God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Marybestowed on the human racethe grace of eternal salvation,grant, we pray,that we may experience the intercession of her,through whom we were found worthyto receive the author of life,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