Happy Mothers’ Day

May is a beautiful month. The flowers have blossomed and the trees have regained their leaves. Most days are sunny and the weather is still temperate. It’s a time for First Communions, Confirmations, and Graduations. For many, the more relaxed summer routine is just around the corner.

This month is beautiful for another reason. It’s the month when we honor our mothers, both living and dead. Mothers’ Day is not a religious observance but it fits well with our faith. After all, it is through our mothers that we received the gift of life. And it is often the case that our mothers are most influential in helping us to know and love God and to practice our faith. More often than we remember, they are the ones who helped us learn life skills, who guided us with our lessons, and who took care of us when we were sick. And while taking such good care of their families, many wives and mothers also pursued careers and held down full-time or part-time jobs.

Motherhood is more than a job. It is a vocation to love and nurture the gift of life, both divine and human. It entails a nearly unlimited time commitment and an ever- changing set of responsibilities as their children grow toward adulthood. And it is a job that never finishes. May 93 year old mother is still anxious when I travel, take on too many responsibilities, or get sick. She can still tell when something is bothering me. No one knows and loves us in quite the same way as a good and loving mother.

Mothers’ Day gives us an opportunity to say thanks in the best possible way. Not flowers, candy, or breakfast in bed but by remembering them at Mass, by asking the Lord to bless them. This is something we can do for our mothers whether they are living or dead. And it’s the best gift of all.

And while we’re at it – May is beautiful because it is Mary’s month – Mary, the Mother of God. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if we took just 15 minutes to say a Rosary for our mothers – asking the Mother of God to bless them and keep them in her love? To all our mothers throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore – happy Mothers’ Day!

Archbishop William E. Lori

Archbishop William E. Lori was installed as the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore May 16, 2012.

Prior to his appointment to Baltimore, Archbishop Lori served as Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., from 2001 to 2012 and as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington from 1995 to 2001.

A native of Louisville, Ky., Archbishop Lori holds a bachelor's degree from the Seminary of St. Pius X in Erlanger, Ky., a master's degree from Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg and a doctorate in sacred theology from The Catholic University of America. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1977.

In addition to his responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Archbishop Lori serves as Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus and is the former chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty.