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May 11, 2026Mary and Elizabeth stand out as mothers, profound in their patience, their trust, and the vocationGod intended for each regardless of their respective age. Much the same, Hannah and Naomi
each had a certain faith and trust in God’s providence for their calling as mothers. Hannah’s patience through human doubts with the eventual birth of her son, Samuel. And Naomi who lost her husband and two sons, never gave up on the life God asked of her as a mother, choosing to guide and protect her two daughter-in-laws, Oprah and Ruth. Scripture brings forth examples of men and women who set aside their doubts or concerns, and within their humanity choose to trust in the presence and will of God.
Before Pope Francis’ death on the Monday after Easter, 2025, he again led the traditional
Stations of the Cross during Lent. In his own handwritten words, he would describe each station anew. Fittingly, his meditation on the Eighth Station—Jesus Meets the Women of
Jerusalem—recounts the attributes of mothers whom we give special recognition this day.
In women, Lord, you always saw a special likeness to the heart of God. That is why, amid
the great crowd of people who turned around and followed you that day, you immediately caught sight of the women and once again felt their closeness. A city is a different place when women care for those around them, when we see mothers holding their children and nursing them; then we look beyond power and profit and sense the things that really matter. The wailing women find their hearts moved at the sight of your suffering. For the heart is where things connect, and thoughts and decisions are born. . . .It is your path, Jesus: an uphill path, a path on which the apostles abandoned you, while the faithful women — the mothers of the Church — continued to follow you.
Let us pray, saying: Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You filled the Church’s history with holy women:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You disdained arrogance and domination:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You embraced and consoled the tears of mothers:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You made women the messengers of the resurrection:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
You inspire new charisms and missions in the Church:
Jesus, grant us a maternal heart!
Thoughts of a few children—some you may recognize—who share a memory of their respective mother.
“Mother (Judy Garland) raised us with humor, and she raised us to understand that not
everything was going to be great; but how to laugh through it.” (Liza Minnelli)
“My doctor told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my
mother.” ( Wilma Rudolph )
“I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made
me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli.”
(George H. W. Bush)“
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me,
‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'” – (Mr. Rogers)
“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.”
(Mark Twain) “I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.” (Shirley Temple)
“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” (Abraham Lincoln)
“Perhaps it takes courage to raise children..” (John Steinbeck)
Blessings to all Mothers, and God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark
corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.” (St.Augustine)