Friday 5 August

Nahum 2:1, 3, 3:1-3, 6-7; Canticle of Deuteronomy 32:35-41; Matthew 16:24-28

Mother of the Church

It is apparently Pope Francis’ custom when leaving Rome to travel, to make a devotional visit to Mary’s Chapel in the Church of St Mary Major (on the Esquiline Hill, and the first Church to be dedicated to Mary’s honour). The Pope venerates the image of Mary ‘Salus Populi Romani’ and entreats Mary’s intercession. When arriving back after his travels, Pope Francis makes a similar devotional visit in thanksgiving. Let Mary be similarly part of our lives.