May, Mary, and Motherhood
By John Graveline, Director of Parish Life
May 3, 2026
“The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love, to rescue their souls from death . . . Our soul is waiting for the Lord, the Lord who is our help and our shield. In him do our hearts find joy. We trust in his holy name. May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place our hope in you.”
–Psalm 33:18-22
Let It Be Done Unto Me
This weekend, we begin our annual May commemoration of Mary, our Mother, by crowning our statue of Mary after the Sunday morning celebration of the Eucharist. We rejoice that Mary said, “Let it be done unto me according to your word,” to the angel Gabriel, thus agreeing to be the mother of our Savior Jesus Christ. (Luke 1:26-38) Next weekend, we will celebrate Mother’s Day. We will rightly rejoice with hearts full of gratitude for all that our mothers, grandmothers, great-grand-mothers, godmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, and maternal figures have sacrificed so that we can live, grow, and thrive. We owe them a debt that can never truly be paid.
However, I always try to keep in my thoughts and prayers those who find this month’s celebration of motherhood difficult. Mother’s Day can be a fraught day for those whose mothers have died, those whose mothers abused or neglected them, and those who are estranged from their mothers.
This year, I especially carry mothers who have lost children in my heart. Recently, a parish family lost a grandchild only a few weeks before she was expected to be born and their daughter-in-law is in very serious condition due to the complications that caused the child’s death. Another young mother on our parish Prayer Chain had serious complications while giving birth. Her child did survive, but the mother has major, life-altering aftereffects. I ask you to keep both of these mothers and their families in your prayers this week. As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day next Sunday, the situations of these two mothers highlight the fact that mothers literally put their entire lives at risk so that their children can live.
This week, Fr. Joe sent me a message with information about which I was not aware. Today, May 3, is International Bereaved Mother’s Day. So many mothers have lost a child, at so many stages of life. Mother’s Day celebrations can perhaps be hardest on them most of all. One can scarcely think of a more difficult cross to bear than the one carried by parents who have lost a child. This week, you might reach out to a mother you know who has lost a child as Mother’s Day approaches. Send her a note or card to know that you are thinking about her. Invite her out for a chat or invite her over to your home. Give her a call. Don’t be afraid to ask her about her child: what she misses about him or her, what her favorite memories are, what the most special thing about their relationship was. This may seem like dredging up painful memories, but moms (and dads) do not forget their children, and they usually like to know that their child is remembered, that they mattered, and to share their love of their child with other people. Most of all, keep grieving mothers in your prayers.
“[Jesus answered,] ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.’”
–John 14:1
(Re)united in the Eucharist
While facile religious-sounding platitudes (“I guess God needed another angel.” “They are in a better place/are not suffering anymore.” “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”) could end up being hurtful to a grieving parent, I do believe that we can find comfort and hope in our faith. This weekend, some of our young disciples are receiving their First Communion. I do believe that the Eucharist brings the healing of Christ Jesus into our wounded hearts. One of the only songs that we sing at every Mass during the year—although we sometimes recite it without music—is The Sanctus. “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.” The first part of this song is a direct quote from the Book of the prophet Isaiah (6:3), when he was given a mystical vision of the heavenly throne. It is the song of the angels. We sing this song at every Mass to remind us that when we are gathered together for Eucharist, our liturgy is a participation in the heavenly banquet of the Lamb of God. (Rev. 19:1-10) Around the Eucharistic Altar, we are surrounded by saints, the famous ones and the ones from our lives, in one great chorus of praise. In God’s great mercy, God has given us the Eucharist as a way to stay connected with Jesus and with our loved ones who have gone before us to the perfect Communion with God and neighbor in love that we call Heaven. That is why we call the Eucharist a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.
As we continue to celebrate the beautiful gift of motherhood during this month of May, may we be compassionate toward those for whom this month can be heartbreaking. May we reach out to those who are hurting, letting them know that we see them and we are walking with them. And as nicer weather begins, may we make weekend Mass a priority this summer: strengthening our bonds of love with Jesus and his mother Mary, with each other and with Catholics throughout the world, and with our loved ones who are already enjoying the Lamb’s feast in the Kingdom of heaven.
John