The Fruitfulness of the Church

On Monday, 9 June, liturgical memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, the Church marked the Jubilee of the Holy See.

In the morning, participants listened to a reflection by Sr Maria Gloria Riva, in the Paul VI Hall. The Pope then carried a Jubilee cross and led the procession through the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, after which he celebrated Holy Mass. Through Mary’s motherhood, “the mystery of the Cross took an unimaginable leap”, the Holy Father said during his homily. This is why the fruitfulness of the Church “is the same fruitfulness as Mary’s”, and all “the fruitfulness of the Church and of the Holy See depends on the Cross of Christ”. Otherwise, the Pope added, “it is only appearance”. Because the fruitfulness of the Church and of Mary “are inextricably linked to their holiness”, he said, “the best way to serve the Holy See is to strive for holiness, each according to his or her particular state of life and the work entrusted to him or her”.