St. Ambrose of Milan (d.397) might have been the first theologian to acknowledge the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of the Church. Quite recent examinations of his writings reveal that the ancient archbishop used this title long before scattered references later appeared in the works of theologians and popes. Pope St. Paul VI as archbishop of Milan favored this Ambrosian title and later as pope included this designation in his Credo of the People of God after the Second Vatican Council: “We believe that the Blessed Mother of God, the New Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven her maternal role with regard to Christ’s members, cooperating with the birth and growth of divine life in the souls of the redeemed.” In 2018, Pope Francis established a memorial for Mary, Mother of the Church, on the Monday after the Solemnity of Pentecost.
Yet appreciation of Mary as Mother of the Church “cooperating with the birth and growth of divine life in the souls of the redeemed” might even have preceded St. Ambrose. In his Gospel account, St. Luke mentions the Blessed Virgin Mary by name first in the infancy narratives which comprise the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. He cites her again by name in the Book of Acts where the Blessed Virgin is included with the first Christian community awaiting the Pentecost event: “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (1:14).” Both of these occasions, the early life of Jesus and the early life of the Church, demanded much maternal care and much nurturing faith of which Mary is the supreme model.
Once Jesus began his public life, there was much evidence that early believers could cite to support their faith in Christ as Messiah. His preaching, his miracles, his life of prayer and virtue, these offered some substance on which his disciples and the crowds could base their faith. Early on, however, Mary had no external evidence that her Son would be a Messiah. Her commitment was entirely an act of faith which St. Elizabeth cites in this Sunday’s Gospel account: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled (Lk1:45).” So here is Mary, truly the first believer, accepting God’s plan of redemption on His word alone (in great contrast, it should be noted, to Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah who was muted for his lack of faith in God’s plan). Indeed Mary is the mother of the believing community. She was the first believer. She is the mother of the Church.
Again St. Luke cites Mary by name as the first Christians gather in the upper room to ponder the significance of Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection. This must have been a time of great confusion and dire foreboding for the Christ’s loyal followers. Everything had collapsed. The Master had suffered greatly – with little support from his followers. He had died and been buried – again by strangers, not by his disciples. True, he had indeed risen from the dead, but then he had ascended to heaven leaving the Apostles and other supporters with a vague instruction: “Wait in the city until you are clothed with power from on high (Lk24:49).’” Here again, when evidence for belief was at a minimum, the Blessed Virgin Mary was present lending her support and her good example to Jesus’ bereft followers. As the Church was about to be born at Pentecost, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was there ready to offer her well-tested faith as a support for the first Christian believers.
Mary was a pioneer believer in the Christian faith during Christ’s infancy just as she was a support to authentic faith after the confusion of Holy Week. So she was indeed a mother to all early believers, initiating the Christian life early on when Christ was a baby and maintaining the Christian life later on when all would be tested. And Mary still exercises her maternal role by supporting new Christians who first embrace the Church and by sustaining mature Christians who struggle within the Church. As Pope St. Paul VI instructs, Mary “continues in heaven her maternal role with regard to Christ’s members, cooperating with the birth and growth of divine life in the souls of the redeemed.”
By her own example clearly noted in the Sacred Scriptures and by her intercessory role often expressed in Church teaching, believers, fresh and seasoned, may turn to Mary “Mother of the Church” for support, for guidance, and for inspiration as they live out their own lives of faith in today’s Church.
