Liturgical Guide: Mary, Mother of God

The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is an ancient feast with it's origins in the Eastern Church. It was eventually expanded to the entire Catholic Church in 1570 by Pope Pius V. Beginning at paragraph #963, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says this of Mary - Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church: "The Virgin Mary is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer. She is clearly the mother of the members of Christ since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head. Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior's work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace." 

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
73. Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You
79. Joy to You
80. O Mary, of All Women

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
42. Star of Sea and Ocean
43. Maiden Yet a Mother
44. Mary Crowned with Living Light
45. Hail Queen of Heaven the Ocean Star
46. God Who Made the Earth and Sky
47. Queen on WhoseStarry Brow DothRest


Reflection by Monsignor James P. Moroney of CatholicTV

COLLECT
O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary
bestowed on the human race
the grace of eternal salvation,
grant, we pray,
that we may experience the intercession of her,
through whom we were found worthy
to receive the author of life,
our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

O Mary, of All Women

You Are the Chosen One

O Mary, of All Women was written by Sulpician Priest, Fr. Michael Gannon. It was first published in 1966 as part of the Peoples Mass Book, one of the earliest english-language hymnals to correspond to the liturgical reforms of Vatican II. Fr. Gannon studied at The Catholic University of America and at the Louvain from 1957 to 1958. O Mary, of All Women is set to the 17th century Flemish tune, Au Fort de ma Detresse. An alternative tune that can also be used is Aurelia, as featured in the following video. It is used in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Mary, Mother of God.


Tune: Aurelia

Joy to You

Mary, Mother of the Lord!

Joy to You was written by Fr. Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp. It was first published in 1970 as part of the collection: Biblical Hymns and Psalms, Volume II. It was also featured on a recording by Fr. Deiss called Joy to You, Mother of the Lord: 12 Songs in Honor of Our Lady. Fr. Deiss was very involved in liturgical renewal during Vatican II. His efforts to compose new hymns of devotion to Our Lady corresponded to the issuing of several important theological Papal documents following Vatican II concerning the renewal and reaffirmation of the role of Mary in the Church. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Joy to You is used on the Feast Day of Mary, the Mother of God and on the Feast of the Assumption.