Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Last Friday, I joined with other bishops across the country in concert with Archbishop Jose Gomez, the Archbishop of Los Angeles and President of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), in rededicating the United States of America to Mary under the title of Mary, Mother of the Church. Our Blessed Mother has many titles. She is the patroness of many religious orders, countries and organizations. She is the patroness of the United States under the title of the Immaculate Conception.
 
It was at the end of the Second Vatican Council that Paul VI entrusted the work of the council to Mary, Mother of the Church. It was at the foot of the cross when Jesus gave His mother to the care of His beloved disciple, John, when he said, “Woman, behold your son.” It was also at the foot of the cross that Jesus entrusted the beloved disciple to Mary. “Then, he said to the disciple, Behold your mother.” (John 19:26-27). One might see this action as a loving son, caring for his mother after his death. This is true, but in a deeper sense, Jesus was also caring for his Church by entrusting the care of the Apostolic Tradition and the well-being of the People of God to Mary.

From the earliest moments, Mary has accompanied the Church in the profession of the faith. She was there at Pentecost with the Apostles, when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. From that moment, her maternal care for the Church has been evident in the response of her children throughout the ages. Praying the Rosary has been a powerful force of private devotion that has opened the mysteries of her Son’s life as a source of formation.
 
This is the month of May, the month of Mary. In our parishes and schools, there would normally be a crowning of the statue of Mary, acknowledging our mother and pleading for her continued intercession on our behalf. I hope, with the absence of the crowning processions, there will be the flowers of “Hail Marys” that form a crown of thanksgiving from her grateful children.
 
There was a bit of irony in the dedication of our country to Mary, Mother of the Church. Last year, we rededicated the Pastoral Center to Mary, Mother of the Church. We have plans for a statue to be erected honoring Mary under this title at the front entrance of the Center. My good friend and famed sculptor, Fr. Anthony Brankin, began to work on this project, but progress has been interrupted by the pandemic. However, he will complete it soon. I love his depiction of Mary. Mary is holding the child Jesus, and the child Jesus is hugging the tower of St. John the Evangelist, the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She is truly Mary, Mother of Our Church. 

I look forward to the dedication of our statue in the near future. Mother demands our love and respect. At the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, we will honor Our Mother in the greatest way possible, responding to her final statement recorded in Sacred Scripture, “Do whatever he tells you,” and he tells us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the May 5, 2020, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.