MARY AT THE PENTECOST: MOTHER PRESENT AT THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH

Pentecost is one of the central moments in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus, descends upon the apostles and transforms them into courageous witnesses of the Gospel. That day marks the beginning of the evangelising mission and the opening of the Church to the world. However, we should remember a fundamental detail: Mary was there.

Mary's presence in the Upper Room is not a secondary element. It is a key to understanding how God acts in salvation history. Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon her at the Annunciation to make the Incarnation of the Son of God possible, the same Spirit now descends upon the Christian community gathered in prayer, with Mary at the centre. She is not only the biological mother of Jesus, but actively participates in the birth of the Church, the Body of Christ.

Mary does not preach or occupy the first place. Her role is deeper: she sustains faith, strengthens hope, nurtures unity, charity. She is with the apostles as mother and as believer. Her firm faith, her openness to God's plan and her prayerful presence create the spiritual conditions for the Holy Spirit to act. Her motherhood now extends to the whole Church.

In the spirituality of Mary Help of Christians, this truth takes on a special significance. We call Mary "Help of Christians" not only because she protects and helps in times of difficulty, but also because she accompanies and supports the life of the Church from the very beginning. At Pentecost, we see her as the first to wait in faith, the one stays with the disciples when everything seems uncertain. In times of confusion, change or search for meaning, Mary's attitude at Pentecost has much to teach us. She does not become discouraged or anxious about the future. She knows how to wait. She prays. She stays calm. She shows us that the action of the Spirit is not imposed by force, but welcomed with a willing heart.

As the Association of Mary Help of Christians, we are called to live this same attitude: to trust, pray and work in communion with the Church, knowing that the Holy Spirit continues to act today, as at Pentecost. And that Mary, as then, is still present, helping us to welcome this gift.

In this month of June, let us ask Mary to teach us to welcome the Spirit with docility and courage. May she help us to be a missionary Church, united and open to what God wants to accomplish in this time.

Fr. Gabriel Cruz Trejo SDB,

Spiritual Animator ADMA Valdocco

Giuseppe Tufano, President ADMA Valdocco