Vatican cardinal writes on role of priests' mothers
January 03, 2013
The prefect of the Congregation for Clergy has written to the mothers of priests and seminarians, reflecting on their unique role in supporting their sons’ ministry.
Cardinal Mauro Piacenza wrote that “every mother cannot but rejoice in seeing the life of her son not only fulfilled but also clothed with a most exceptional divine favor which embraces and transforms it for all eternity." He remarked that once her son is ordained, the mother looks upon him in a new way. “Every mother of a priest mysteriously becomes a daughter of her son.”
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Posted by: frjpharrington3912 -
Jan. 04, 2013 9:26 PM ET USA
In a sense it is true that every mother of a priest is an "Alter Maria" who imitates Mary's fiat to the angel, "let it be done" when asked to be the Mother of the Eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ. Recall the prayers and tears of Saint Monica said and shed on behalf of her son Augustine, the great sinner become great saint; and the countless testimonies of priests who but for the grace of God and the prayers and tears of their mothers (and some fathers too) would have missed the divine call.
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Posted by: New Sister -
Jan. 03, 2013 8:05 PM ET USA
We owe mothers of priests great honor. If her son is an "Alter Christus", is she not an "Alter Maria"?
