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:

As we continue this Mother’s Day novena, we move along Mary’s journey of motherhood with Christ. In Mexican-American artist Mariana Yampolsky’s linocut, Mother and Child, we see an image of a caring mother holding her child and looking over fields in the distance. In the well-known story from the second chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt shortly after the birth of Jesus to keep the newborn child safe from Herod’s murderous intent. This vignette in the life of the Holy Family provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the motherhood of all those who undergo unexpected trials. 

We reflect on the profound disruption of home displacement due to war or instability but also on the many complex challenges every mother constantly encounters, which allow each of us to unite our sufferings to Christ and surrender ourselves to God. As the Book of Proverbs assures us: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

A holy life is not marked by its ease or simple circumstances—instead, it is defined by our commitment to God’s will and our trust in God’s ability to bring good out of everything. Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, expressed in the Congregation’s motto: The Cross, Our Only Hope. God’s beloved Son saved the world through his sacrifice and death. He calls each of us to participate in his divine plan of redemption through our union with Christ on the Cross. 

Every mother is entrusted with the mission to care for and protect her child–God grants her the grace to carry out her vocation well. Today, let’s pray in a special way for mothers who face great uncertainties and suffering.

Mary of the Flight into Egypt, you kept safe from harm God’s only son through the hardship and distress of a long journey and residence in a foreign land. Pray for us!

Let us pray:

Mary of the Flight into Egypt, we pray today for all those who are displaced from their homes especially mothers and children. By the example of the protection you and your spouse, Joseph, provided for our Lord, strengthen them and be their hope in their time of need.

(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.

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