Mary and Pentecost

The scene is set for the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

The Eleven Apostles were gathered in the Upper Room where they had eaten the Last Supper with the Master. Afraid and worried about their future, they continued to marvel at the death and Resurection of Jesus. Jesus was no longer with them; He had ascended into heaven. But Mary "assiduous in prayer alongside the Apostles, taught perseverance in the faith. By her own attitude she convinced them that the Holy Spirit, in His wisdom, knew well the path on which He was leading them, and that consequently they could place their confidence in God, giving themselves to Him unreservedly with their talents, their limitations and their future. (Address by Pope Benedict, 5-26-2006)

When the Holy Spirit descends He gives the Word of God and brings life. "From the overshadowing of the Spirit, Christ is conceived; from the Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit, Christ is born in His members who are the Church. Mary, the great mother figure for the Church, is present not only at the Annunciation, but praying with Her Son's disciples before Pentecost." (Woman of Faith, 79)

It should not surprise us that Mary was present at Pentecost. St. Louis de Montfort tell us that when the Holy Spirit finds Mary, his dear and inseparable Spouse, He flies there. He enters in with the plenitude of His graces and gifts. Let us, then, draw near to Mary and persevere in faith so that from the Holy Spirit pouring into our hearts the Word of God, Christ will be born anew in us.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis established the Monday after Pentecost Sunday as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church. On this feast day for the Blessed Mother, we will hear some of Jesus’s last words on the cross.
John 19:26
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”