# St. John Paul II on Mary’s Spiritual Motherhood
*2018-05-04*

> Bill Young reflects on St. John Paul II’s teaching that Mary’s true preparation for her role as Mother of all was completed at Calvary, where she received a new, burning love for every soul.

## The Fourth Week of the 33‑Day Retreat

Welcome to Prayer & Lunch. Today we are on day 26 of the “33 Days to Morning Glory” retreat, the fourth week, which focuses on St. John Paul II. The retreat was prepared by Michael Gale and is meant to help us prepare for the sacrament of marriage.

## Mary’s Preparation Reaches Its Culmination at Calvary

John Paul II teaches that the moments at Cana, while beautiful, were not the climax of Mary’s preparation. The true fulfillment came on the Cross, where she suffered with Christ. Standing at the foot of the Cross beside the beloved disciple John, Jesus said, “Woman, behold your son,” and to John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:26‑27). In these words Mary becomes mother to every person.

## A New, Burning Love for All Souls

According to John Paul II, this “new motherhood” is the fruit of a deeper love that matures at Calvary. Mary’s love for humanity is set ablaze, mirroring the redemptive love of her Son. Mother Teresa saw this vividly: Mary took Jesus’ words to heart and helped others do the same.

## Mary’s Spiritual Motherhood and the Birth of the Church

After the Crucifixion, Mary’s role as mother is most evident on the eve of Pentecost, when the apostles and the women gather in prayer. John Paul II notes that Mary’s discreet yet essential presence points to the coming of the Holy Spirit. Her spiritual motherhood is intimately linked to the Church’s life: she cooperates in the birth and formation of the faithful through the sacraments, especially Baptism and the Eucharist.

## A Personal Mother for Each of Us

John Paul II emphasizes that Mary’s universal motherhood is also profoundly personal. When Jesus said, “Behold your mother,” he gave each of us a personal relationship with Mary. She is not a distant figure; she is our own mother, caring for us individually while also caring for the whole Church.

*Mary’s new motherhood, completed at Calvary, is a concrete, personal love that draws every soul into Christ’s redemptive mission.*