Pallium Path: Mary, Mother of the Church and Our Mother

Mary, Solus Populi Romani

Pope Leo giving his Sunday Angelus message

The Altar of the Chair of St. Peter

Luke Metzer, an archdiocesan seminarian studying in Rome, joined the pilgrimage group.

Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica

Archbishop Golka celebrates Sunday Mass for pilgrims at St. Mary Major in Rome.

After Mass, pilgrims gathered at another St. Mary Major Church for Adoration.

Father Matt Book offered benediction, a Eucharistic blessing, for pilgrims.

Bishop Jorge Rodríguez preached about Mary's witness of discipleship for each of us.

Pope Leo offers his Sunday Angelus message

Pope Francis' tomb in St. Mary Major in Rome

Metzer prays in front of Pope Francis' tomb.

Father David Hall prays before the Salus Populi Romani icon

The side chapel dedicated to the Salus Populi Romani

St. Mary Major in Rome

A pilgrim prays before the Crib of Christ

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

(Photos by André Escaleira, Jr.)

We started our day with some free time, which meant that I had the chance to see Pope Leo — an opportunity I couldn’t pass up!

When Pope Leo appeared in the window, the energy was electric. The Vicar of Christ, the world’s spiritual father, an American, was right there! As he spoke, I couldn’t help but tear up: his message called us to love more devotedly, more freely, more generously, even as Mary did — she who loved Jesus, even knowing she would lose him.

“May she help us to be humble and joyful witnesses to the love of Christ,” the pope said before beginning the Angelus.

Having seen the Holy Father, I reunited with the group as we went to the Basilica dedicated to our Most Holy Mother, St. Mary Major.

At Mass there, Bishop Jorge Rodríguez exhorted us to do the same, to become more like Mary, who was the most free, the most loving, the most amazing person to exist, other than Jesus.

That truth was profoundly clear to me at St. Mary Major as I knelt before the icon of the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani, Health of the Roman People, a title of Mary known for miracles throughout history. In prayer, I was moved by Mary’s presence and care in and through my life. I could understand why Pope Francis prayed before the icon throughout history before every apostolic visit!

I felt Mary’s closeness, and could see how she’s mothered me (in a good way!) throughout my life: in good and in bad, comforting, challenging and consoling me. Through the years, she’s been interceding and leading me ever closer to the Heart of Jesus, pierced and aflame for love of me. In that time of prayer, I was able to thank her, and ask her to continue to mother me and those I’m spiritually carrying with me on this pilgrimage.

If you’ve made it this far, into day five’s reflection and through a lot of my personal musings during this pilgrimage, I have good news for you: this insight applies to you, too.

Mary is your mother, just as she is Jesus’ and just as she is mine. Jesus told us as much when he entrusted her to St. John from the Cross. And just as she’s worked in my life, she’s been at work in yours.

She’s a good mother — the best mother, in fact — and loves to care for her children, when we let her, of course.

As you read this today, I invite you to consider Mary’s footprints in your day, week, month or year. How has your mother and mine been praying, consoling, leading and guiding you? How might she want to, if you but allow her?

May Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church become ever more our Mother. And may she lead us deeper into the Heart of Jesus.