A Mother's Day Reflection

We honor Mary, the Holy Mother of God! Just as our own mother's have a special relationship throughout our whole lives, so Mary as the Mother of Jesus has a special relationship to her Son Jesus.

On the cross Jesus gave His Mother to all of us: "Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother, …Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom He loved, Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, there is your son.' In turn he said to the disciple, 'There is your mother.' From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his care." (John, 19: 25-27)

We honor and venerate the Holy Virgin Mary because she is the Mother of God and Jesus gave us His Mother to be our spiritual mother.

Mary is honored by many titles. One of the favorites of Byzantine Catholics is Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Here is a prayer that honors Mary under this title:

O Mother of Perpetual Help: with the greatest confidence I approach you to implore your aid.
You have seen the wounds of your Son and his blood shed for our salvation.
You know how He desires our salvation.
Because of this, I kneel before you and beseech you to obtain for me the mercy of which I stand in great need.
O Mary, most amiable among women, obtain the favor I seek from Jesus, the source of all good.
O Mother of Perpetual Help, you desire our salvation more than we ourselves do.
Your Son has given you to be our mother and you have chosen for yourself the name, Mother of Perpetual Help.
I do not trust in my own merits but in your powerful intercession.
I trust in your goodness and in your motherly love.
For the love that you have for Jesus, your Son and my Savior;
For the love of souls faithful to you;
And for the sake of your love for my soul:
Obtain for me all the graces and favors I ask of you. Amen.

May we as a parish and as individuals continue to serve God as Mary did - with trust in Him, confidence, obedience, humility, and above all great love.

last updated 09 May 2000 Copyright © 1999-2001, St. Thomas the Apostle Church