Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major

THE HOUR OF THE MOTHER

On Holy Saturday, 19 April 2025, at 10.30 in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, a special Marian celebration will take place – as it has done for over 36 years. “The Hour of the Mother”, a celebration intended to propose and revive Mary's supreme sorrow and faith as she awaits the Lord's resurrection. His Eminence Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, will preside over the celebration.

The Marian celebration that will take place at Saint Mary Major, and in many other parts of Italy and the world on the morning of Holy Saturday, is inspired by the Byzantine liturgy, which sings before the icon of the entombment of Jesus the lamentations of the Mother over her slain Son and her longing to see him return alive from the dead. In that supreme hour, when everything seemed to be definitively over, she is the “Church that believes” against all human evidence, that hopes against all hope.

If Good Friday is the quintessential “Hour of Jesus”, who loved His people up to the oblation of Himself on the altar of the Cross, then Holy Saturday is the “Hour of the Mother”, the culmination of her long and arduous journey of faith, as at the foot of the Cross she stood, as the new Eve, associating herself with the sacrifice of her Son and welcoming as sons all men redeemed by His divine Blood. When the disciples later laid Jesus in the tomb on Good Friday evening, her faith did not fail, nor did her indissoluble union with her Redeemer Son. Indeed, in her alone stood at that Hour the faith of the whole Church, in her the hopes of the world were gathered. That is why she is the Mother of our faith. Saint John Paul II wrote: “On Holy Saturday the Church identifies with Mary: all its faith is gathered in Her, the first believer. In the darkness that envelops creation, She remains alone in keeping alive the flame of faith, preparing herself to welcome the joyful and surprising announcement of the resurrection”. And Pope Francis prays to her thus: “Mary, Virgin and Mother… Standing at the foot of the cross with unyielding faith, you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection … Obtain for us now a new ardour born of the resurrection, that we may bring to all the Gospel of life which triumphs over death” (Evangelii gaudium, 288).

In this way, the Hour of the Mother, celebrated on Holy Saturday, is the most fitting and significant preparation to live the Easter Vigil of the Lord who rises, glorious, from the dead.

ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE

Journalists and media operators who intend to participate must apply, no less than 24 hours before the event, via the Holy See online accreditation system, at: press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.