Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Gift of motherhood

Juntos en el camino: Palabras semanales del Arzobispo Hebda

My suspicion is that many of you, like me, had your eyes glued to the screen last Thursday as the Vatican livestream introduced us to our newly elected pope, Leo XIV. After the initial surprise (an American Augustinian, Villanova graduate, and Sox fan as pope?), I settled in, ready to absorb his first greeting as the Successor of Peter. Pope Leo spoke passionately about peace, unity, and the need for us to be a missionary church. His words were challenging but balm for the soul, just what we needed in this time of transition.

He appropriately turned his attention to our Blessed Mother, noting that the day of his election was a day dear to Italians for pleading for the intercession of Our Lady of Pompeii. The new Holy Father implored her to walk with us, inviting us to join him in praying one of our favorite Catholic prayers, the Hail Mary. It was a moment of grace.

That experience, paired with yesterday’s celebration of Mother’s Day, has led me to reflect more deeply on the gift of motherhood, and especially on the role that Mary has had in our Church, ever since Jesus entrusted his mother to us from the cross: “Behold thy mother.” For us as Catholics, it seemed so natural that the new Holy Father would have turned to our loving mother for her intercession at the throne of her Son.

I know that Mary has been such a wonderful mother for me, and I always try to remember to invoke her help in the Archdiocese, whether as “Our Lady Seat of Wisdom” or “Mary Undoer of Knots.” It was very intentional that I chose to be installed as your shepherd on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, nine years ago this week (May 13). As we pray in the Memorare, Mary never leaves us unaided.

Mary’s role in the Church sheds great light on the role of women more generally. St. John Paul II was always quick to remind us that God, in his plan for salvation history, placed Mary, a mother, at the very center of that plan: “A woman” he wrote, “is to be found at the center of this salvific event."

It has been a blessing in my life to have encountered countless women who have modeled for me Mary’s maternal faith, humility, and love. I’ll always be grateful for my mom’s patience in teaching the faith to my siblings and me, intentionally modeling a life centered on Jesus. My godmother, similarly, continues to be a good example for me even at age 90. I think as well of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, who challenged us with a mother’s love, and the consecrated women who have been such faithful collaborators in my ministry as priest and bishop.

I hope you had the opportunity to honor – whether in person, or in your memories – a mother figure in your life. For those mothers (and spiritual mothers) who are reading this, please accept my gratitude for your good example and your prayers. Please join me, along with our Holy Father, in seeking the intercession of our Blessed Mother at this exciting time in our Church and at each moment in our lives.