Bishop Earl Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing released a message on May 4 reflecting on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model for hope and compassion during times of pain.
The bishop’s message comes at the start of May, traditionally dedicated to honoring Mary in Catholic tradition. He discusses how Mary’s experience during Jesus’ passion and death offers an example for believers facing suffering and loss.
In his letter, Boyea writes, “Mary experiences the complete fruitlessness of her life. This is her only child, and this child is now childless himself and is dying. Mary’s natural maternal instincts must revolt at this. She is without progeny. Yet even here she is fully sharing in the great mystery of Jesus Christ.” He continues by emphasizing that sharing in Christ’s suffering can foster compassion among followers: “There is so much suffering in our world. There is so much alienation. There is so much pain. We should be tapping into our own loss regularly so that sharing in the Cross is not just notional but is in fact very real.”
Boyea also highlights Mary’s ongoing spiritual role after Jesus’ resurrection: “Jesus gives his mother to us as the mother of all his new brothers and sisters… Fruitfulness, both for Jesus and for Mary and for all of us, has been redefined.” He encourages believers to see discipleship as a communal journey: “Our life must be a clear sign that we belong to a band of disciples. We are never on our own as his followers because our Lord wants us always linked to his mother and to the other disciples.” The bishop concludes with encouragement to look to Mary as an example during prayer: “Mary is the teacher of prayer and the teacher of openness to the Holy Spirit… During this month, ‘Mary, our Mother, pray for us.'”
The Diocese of Lansing was established in 1937 under Bishop Joseph H. Albers; it currently covers ten counties including Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee and Washtenaw counties with over 185,000 Catholics served by Bishop Boyea since 2008 according to diocesan history.
Boyea’s reflection underscores how spiritual traditions such as Marian devotion continue to offer guidance amid contemporary challenges faced by members within local faith communities.
