The Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today is the feast of Mary's motherhood: Maternitatis Beatae Mariae Virginis.

Mary became the mother of Jesus, our Divine Saviour, at the Annunciation

The Annunciation

Quem virgo carens vitio
de flamine concepisti:
dum Gabrieli nuntio
humillime consensisti. Ave Maria.

Whom of the Holy Spirit, thou
     A virgin pure conceivedst,
When Gabriel's word, with meekest bow
     Assenting, thou believedst. Hail Mary.








But she is also our own dear mother:

'Son, behold thy Mother'

Qui Ioanne discipulo
te matrem commendavit:
quem tibi in patibulo
in filium donavit. Ave Maria.

Who unto John the Apostle, thee
     Commended for a mother;
And Him for thine own son to be
     Appointed as a brother. Hail Mary.












Here are some of her maternal titles and honours from the Litany of Loreto:

Mater Christi,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother of Christ,
R. pray for us.

Mater Ecclesiae,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother of the Church,
R. pray for us.

Mater Divinae gratiae,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother of divine grace,
R. pray for us.

Mater purissima,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother most pure,
R. pray for us.

Mater castissima,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother most chaste,
R. pray for us.

Mater inviolata,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother inviolate,
R. pray for us.

Mater intemerata,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother undefiled,
R. pray for us.

Mater amabilis,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother most amiable,
R. pray for us.

Mater admirabilis,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother most admirable,
R. pray for us.

Mater boni Consilii,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother of good counsel,
R. pray for us.

Mater Creatoris,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother of our Creator,
R. pray for us.

Mater Salvatoris,
R. ora pro nobis.   
Mother of our Savior,
R. pray for us.