Welcome to the Mother’s Day Novena from FaithND, an outreach of the Notre Dame Alumni Association.

Let us pray:

Mary, Our Mother, by accepting the invitation to bear God’s Son to the world, you brought forth new life for all of us. Your faithful acceptance of God’s word is our model and inspiration as we strive to make room in our hearts for your Son and bear him to others. Help us to follow him more closely, even to the foot of the cross, as you did.

During this month dedicated to you, we ask in a special way for you to care for each of our own mothers and caregivers: (state your personal intention).

Reflection:

As we begin this Mother’s Day Novena, we reflect on a piece of artwork in Notre Dame’s Raclin Murphy museum, The Birth of the Virgin, by artist Carlo Maratti of the Late Roman Baroque period. This grand altarpiece depicts the newborn Virgin Mary, held by attendants and watched over by angels, as her parents, Saints Anne and Joachim, pray in the background. The 1682 piece features an infant Virgin Mother, turned to look at us as we contemplate her Immaculate Conception and birth. We also reflect on her unique vocation as the Mother of God and, by extension, to each one of us.

The Virgin Mary’s birth, celebrated on September 8 and a part of the Catholic liturgical calendar since at least the sixth century, draws us to contemplation. How did such a remarkable young woman who would say “Yes” to God’s plan of salvation for the world enter into this world herself? 

Mary, as the great Mother of God, is an indispensable part of Jesus Christ’s entrance into our world. The Nicene Creed states, “For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” It was through the Virgin Mary’s own birth, growth, and her eventual “yes” at the Annunciation that the “Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

This Mother’s Day, let us reflect on the gift of motherhood as a vocation. From birth, Mary was chosen to be the instrument through which God would save the whole human race. The Immaculate Conception within the womb of Saint Anne, and the birth of the Virgin Mary, so strikingly depicted in Maratti’s piece, brought forth her who would raise, support, and accompany the Son of God throughout his entire life–at the Passion and at the foot of the Cross, and in the glory of the Resurrection. 

All mothers are chosen as the caretakers and protectors of their children. Mothers bring forth the gift of life as co-creators with God. God chose Mary from her infancy, from before her birth, to be His Son’s Mother. Likewise, God chose each of our mothers to be ours. Today, let us ask for grace for all mothers and expectant mothers, that they may know the importance of their vocation and strive to follow the example of our Holy Mother Mary.

Let us pray:

Mary, born of Saints Ann and Joachim, we pray today for all who turn to you in troubling times. Help us to accept the Holy Spirit in our lives, as you did, to be examples of faith to all, especially those entrusted to our care.

(Pause for a moment of silence. Then conclude:)

We pray, as in all things, through the name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Closing Hymn – Alma Mater:

Notre Dame, Our Mother, tender, strong, and true,
Proudly in the heavens gleams thy gold and blue.
Glory’s mantle cloaks thee, golden is thy fame
And our hearts forever praise thee, Notre Dame.
And our hearts forever love thee, Notre Dame.

Image Credit: Carlo Maratti (Italian, 1625 – 1713), The Birth of the Virgin, ca. 1684, oil on canvas. Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame. Lent by the Cummins Collection, IL2024.001.