"Woman, behold, your son." (John 19:26)

The title “Woman” is a respectful form of address in the Jewish culture. In accordance with the Studium Biblicum explanation of the Bible, this title implies the duty performed by Holy Mother in the work of salvation. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers.” (Genesis 3:15)

Jesus’ disciples were to continue His mission: Under the protection of Mary, they should fight against iniquity.

“Behold, your son!” indicates that Jesus was surrendering His beloved mother. Jesus, indeed, gave all that He possessed to us.

At the same time, Mary was asked to offer her status as mother of the Son of God! Nevertheless, she has become the mother of every one of us.
God’s love is that perfect and selfless.

John’s gospel recorded this: “[A]nd from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”
According to the teachings of the Church and the ancient documents, it is certain that John had settled in Ephesus, where he finished writing the fourth Gospel and the other three letters. From these, we can also infer that Holy Mother lived her later life in Ephesus. Actually the Council of Ephesus (year 431) took place at the Church of Mary.

Mary certainly has not just become John’s mother in a narrow sense: She is the mother of every Christian. At the end of Vatican II, Holy Mary was enshrined as the Mother of the Church.

Let us welcome our Heavenly Mother into our families as well as the inner part of our hearts and souls.

"My Holy Queen, my Holy Mother, I belong to you wholly, everything I have belongs to you! (Totus Tuus)”