Mary Mother of the church

I’ve said it many times that the Blessed Mother has more feasts than Jesus himself, and yet another celebration was introduced recently by Pope Francis, honoring her as the Mother of the Church. The feast is now being celebrated annually the day after Pentecost. Yesterday we commemorated the birthday of the church, and as Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ, she somehow gave birth to the church, whom He represents. This feast was actually introduced by Pope St. Paul VI in 1964, who had declared Mary as Mother of the Church, that is Mother of all Christians and of all priests. Then in 1975, the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the church had also introduced a special Mass in honor of Mary as Mater Ecclesia, mother of the church. Above all, we must look at Mary as the one who gives us life, that spiritual oxygen which energizes us and nourishes us with her presence in our lives. May the Blessed Mother bless all of our families and may they be strengthened in their weakness through her continued motherly protection.  As Pentecost is considered as the birthday of the church, today we honor Mary as she was also present with the apostles when the Holy Spirit descended on them, thereby creating the first church and their lives were changed forever.