May 8, 2022 - "Mother's Day 2022"

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Step-mothers, and Godmothers who are reading this column.  The holiday was first celebrated in the United States in 1907 when Anna Jarvis had the first Mother’s Day service of worship at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia.  Her proposal to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year when her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died.  When Anna Jarvis proposed this Congress in 1908, her request was turned down with some members of Congress joking that they would also have to establish a Mother-in-law holiday as well.  This initial setback did not keep Anna Jarvis from her goal of making Mother’s Day a recognized holiday.  Owing to her efforts all of the states observed the holiday by 1911 with some having a Mother’s Day as a local holiday. In due course President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation in 1914 that designated Mother’s Day, held on the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday. 
 
You may not realize it but Catholics have been celebrating Mother’s Day, in a way, since the first few centuries of the Church.  The fourth Sunday of Lent was traditionally a day to return to your mother church (home parish) and leave an offering there.  Known also as Mothering Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent naturally evolved into a day when people honored their mothers as well. 
 
Devotion to Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual mother particularly during the month of May gave this holiday depth for Catholics far beyond giving flowers or candy on Mother’s Day.  Chosen by God above all other women, Mary’s faith and obedience paved the way for the Incarnation.  According to St. Thomas of Villanova (patron of my alma mater, Villanova University), “If in this world any creature ever loved God with her whole heart, her whole soul, and with her whole mind, she was the creature.”
 
Let’s also remember to pray for our mothers today if they have died.  This will certainly be something that I do today as the fifth anniversary of my mother’s death will be later this month.  May our mothers who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith rest in peace!
 
Let me close with this blessing for Mother’s Day that can be found in the Book of Blessings.  You might have heard it at Mass today!
 
Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.  R/. Amen.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John