Mothers' Day 2003

+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
11 May 2003

a remember a priest who announced to his parish at Sunday Mass that he was leaving the priesthood. So many of the parishioners expressed their sorrow to him about his departure, that he remarked that if he had known beforehand how much they appreciated him he probably would have stayed! It is not difficult to take for granted those who are closest to us, sometimes even mothers.

In our society where many marriages are now failing, the mother and child is the most successful of all human relationships as the father is often more distant (unfortunately) from his children.

Anna M. Jarvis began campaigning in Philadelphia U.S.A. in 1907 for a national Mothers' Day holiday. Her own mother had died a couple of years earlier and she hoped to strengthen family bonds and increase respect for parents in this way.

In May 1913 the U.S. House of Representatives requested government officials to wear a white carnation on Mothers' Day and in May 1914 the U.S. Congress designated the second Sunday in May for this remembrance. This practice has been taken up by countries as different as Denmark and Turkey as well as Australia.

Ironically Anna Jarvis, who was never a mother herself, objected so strongly to the commercialisation of this feast that at her death she regretted ever starting Mothers' Day.

Religious people should remember to pray for their mothers on Mothers' Day, as well as offering the traditional good wishes and breakfast in bed for mum.

Catholic and Orthodox Christians often have a wonderful devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is revered as the Mother of God because Jesus is the only Son of God. Many find it easy to pray to Jesus through his mother, seeking her help to approach God.

Mothers busy with ferrying the children to basketball or music lessons, juggling work commitments while running the home and keeping the peace might wonder what they have in common with the Mother of God.

But Mary, the teenage Jewish mother of Jesus, once had dreams and aspirations of her own. God had other plans which she embraced. This was a supreme example of the selfless love typical of good mothers.

Mary saw her son killed unjustly. All mothers who have lost babies or children, should be reminded that mother-child relationships endure beyond the grave. One of the Year seven boys in St. Mary's Choir lost his mother a week ago. To him and all those who have lost their mothers recently we extend our deep sympathy.

And Mothers' Day is a good day for reconciliation for those estranged from their mothers (or fathers). No one knows how much time remains.