Welcome back 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: (state your personal intention).

Reflection:

Here, we reflect on the marble sculpture, the Virgin Enthroned Nursing the Infant Jesus, by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. This unique piece displays an intimate moment between mother and child–between the Mother of God and his Son. Mary cared for Christ with tenderness, whether in nursing him at the Christmas manger or taking his pierced body down from the Cross. Amazingly, this connection between the Holy Mother and her child is extended to each of us when Jesus proclaims to the disciple John: “Behold your mother” (John 19:35).

All those who welcome a new baby into their lives have vivid memories of the joys and struggles of birth. These stories are often shared with family members and friends long after the birth of the child. The Nativity of our Lord is quite possibly the most well-known birth story in human history. Even though it was a birth unlike any other, it is still an intimate connection between God and a profoundly human experience. As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day, Mary’s role in the Nativity of Our Lord provides a rich opportunity for us to reflect on our faith and our love for our mothers.

In the Gospel of Luke, the birth of Jesus was a fraught affair. Mary and Joseph had to travel away from their home for a census and struggled to find lodging. In the great unfolding of this divine and human drama, the savior of the world was born in a manger among animals– truly a metaphor for the humility of God to become human like us. Then a motley cavalcade of visitors arrive on the scene. Luke records the arrival of shepherds and angels; Matthew famously narrates the arrival of the Magi with their stately gifts. In any maternity wing of a modern hospital, there certainly would not have been enough visitors’ passes.

Through all of this, Mary speaks no words in the Gospels. Mary, who just a few verses ago in the Gospel of Luke uttered the boldest and most profound profession of faith in the Magnificat during her visit to Elizabeth, remains silent in the text. Yet we know well what Mary was doing at this time; she was wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes, she was feeding him at her breast, she was being a mother.

Today, let us pray to strengthen and sanctify the connection between mothers and their children everywhere, as well as our connection to the Virgin Mother and her example for each of us.

Mary, your new motherhood at the Nativity of Our Lord set in motion the offer of salvation to all humankind. Pray for us!

Let us pray:

Mary of the Nativity of your child Jesus, we pray today for all pregnant women preparing for child birth and those who have welcomed a newborn child, particularly for those experiencing complications or difficulties. Inspire those who suffer and those who rejoice to trust in God’s loving plan for our lives.

(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: Giovanni Antonio Amadeo (Italian, 1447 – 1522), Virgin Enthroned Nursing the Infant Jesus, early 16th century, Marble. Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame. Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 1961.047.001.