The meaning of the celebration
+ Prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, October 11 was celebrated as the Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Seeing this celebration as a duplication of the celebration of Mary, Mother of God (January 1), the Church left the celebrations of Mary on this day as the choice of local churches and religious communities.
+ On this day, the Society of the Divine (the Salvatorians), for example, celebrate Mary under her title, “Mother of the Savior.”
+ This title of the Mother of God recognizes the special role she played in the unfolding mystery of salvation.
+ The entrance antiphon given for the Mass of “Mary, Mother of the Savior” is taken from the writings of the fifth-century poet Sedulius and captures the spirit of the celebration: “Hail, holy Mother! The Child to whom you gave birth is the King of heaven and earth for ever.”
For prayer and reflection
“His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”—John 2:5
Spiritual bonus
On this day the Church also celebrates the memory of Pope Saint John XXIII. As pope, John initiated a number of reforms, both within the Church and the broader culture. On January 25, 1959, he quietly announced his intention of calling an ecumenical council to consider a number of issues facing the Church. The opening of the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962, was the high point of his brief pontificate. Remembered for his vision, love, and the fresh approach to Church affairs, Pope John XXIII died on June 3, 1963. He was canonized in 2014.
Prayer
God, our Father,
you willed your only Son to be born of the Virgin Mary
for the salvation of the world.
Grant that,
through the intercession of the same Mother of the Savior,
we may by grace acknowledge more deeply
the mystery of his Cross,
and so come to share in his resurrection and life.
We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Collect for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of the Savior, approved for use by the Society of the Divine Savior and the Sisters of the Divine Savior)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...