May 20, 2024
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church—Memorial
Indeed, the Mother standing beneath the cross (cf. Jn 19:25), accepted her Son’s testament of love and welcomed all people in the person of the beloved disciple as sons and daughters to be reborn unto life eternal. She thus became the tender Mother of the Church which Christ begot on the cross handing on the Spirit. Christ, in turn, in the beloved disciple, chose all disciples as ministers of his love towards his Mother, entrusting her to them so that they might welcome her with filial affection. ~From the Decree of the Congregation of Divine Worship adding the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church to the General Roman Calendar
The most glorious Mother of God largely lived a quiet and hidden life, and there are but a few stories about her in the Scriptures. Since her Assumption into Heaven, the Church has prayerfully pondered her life and role in the mystery of salvation. Little by little, saint after saint and pope after pope have shed greater light upon her unique and glorious role in the Father’s eternal plan. As our understanding of the Blessed Mother has deepened, the Church has proclaimed new titles and new dogmas about Mary. In 2018, a new liturgical memorial honored her with the title “Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.”
To understand the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role as Mother of the Church, we begin with Scripture. As Jesus hung on the Cross, His mother and two other women stood before Him, alongside John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. From the Cross, Jesus entrusted His mother to John’s care. “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (John 19:26–27).
Beginning with Pope Leo XIII in 1895, many of our popes have referred to Mary as the “Mother of the Church,” with each one adding to our understanding of Mary in that role. On September 17, 1997, Pope John Paul II defined “Mother of the Church” in this way in a Wednesday catechesis:
The title “Mother of the Church” thus reflects the deep conviction of the Christian faithful, who see in Mary not only the mother of the person of Christ, but also of the faithful. She who is recognized as mother of salvation, life and grace, mother of the saved and mother of the living, is rightly proclaimed Mother of the Church. (#5).
On March 3, 2018, Pope Francis announced a new memorial on the General Roman Calendar, celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost: “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.”
In the decree instituting this memorial, Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, said:
This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, was entrusted to the Church in the person of Saint John the Apostle at the foot of the Cross. From the Cross, the Church was conceived by the outpouring of grace that flowed from Jesus’ Sacred Heart. Our Blessed Mother was present at Pentecost as the Church was born.
Most glorious Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, to you I entrust myself, just as Jesus entrusted John to your care. Receive me as your spiritual child, and nurture me with your Son’s divine grace. May my “Yes” echo yours as I surrender fully to God’s plan. Mother Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Today, the Mother of the Church reigns in Heaven next to her Son; from there, she nurtures the Church as a loving mother. She intercedes for us and mediates her Son’s saving grace, making her the ongoing instrument of grace and mother of all.
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Church of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Singapore
A Parish community vibrant in prayer, steeped in God’s word, celebrating deeply the Sacraments and witnessing and proclaiming with enthusiasm the presence of Jesus in their midst
Mass Timings
English Mass
Saturday: 5:30pm
(Anticipatory Mass)
Sunday: 6:45am, 8:30am, 11:30am
& 5:00 pm
Weekday Mass
Monday – Friday 7:30 am & 6:15pm
(Rosary Devotion: 40 mins before Mass)
Saturday: 7:00am
(followed by Novena Devotion)
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Main Church: 30 min before MassMass in Mandarin
Every Saturday 4pm
(Anticipatory Mass)Mandarin Rosary
(3:15pm on every 2nd, 4th & 5th week of the month)Teochew Rosary
(3:15pm on every 1st & 3rd week of the month)Mass in Vietnamese
1st & 3rd Sunday of the Month
2:30 pmMass in Burmese
2nd & 4th Sunday of the Month
2:30 pmLatest SUNDAY BulletinMass in Mandarin
Every Saturday 4pmMandarin Rosary
(3:15pm on every 2nd, 4th & 5th week of the month)Teowchew Rosary
(3:15pm on every 1st & 3rd week of the month)Ash Wednesday 2024 Mass timings
14th Feb 2024:
7.30am 12pm 6.15pm 8pm
Office Hours
Mon/Tues/Thur/Fri 9am to *7pm
(* subject to changes)
Wednesday 9am to 5pm
Saturdays & Sundays 9am to 12pm
Closed on public holidays
Walk-in Confession at
Priest’s OfficeMonday & Tuesday: 9am to 11am
Thursday & Friday: 4pm to 6pm
(Except on public holidays)Priests of our Parish
Rev Fr. Paul Ngo, (Parish Priest)
[email protected]Rev.Fr. Luke Fong
[email protected]Rev Fr Joseph Kace
[email protected]Rev Fr. Paul Ngo, (Parish Priest)
Rev.Fr. Luke Fong
Rev Fr Joseph Kace
Deacon of our Parish
Deacon Dexter Chua
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Location
24 Highland Rd, Singapore 549115