Spiritual Motherhood and the Holy Eucharist
Spiritual Motherhood cannot be separated from the Paschal mystery of our Lord.
The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper and the Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary are both connected and are one and the same mystery in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Although all of Christ’s apostles were present at the Institution of the Eucharist, all but one fled the scene of the Crucifixion.
The only priest (besides Christ Himself) present at the Foot of the Cross was St. John the Apostle. According to Sacred Scripture, the rest of those present could be identified as Spiritual Mothers:
John 19:25 But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Matthew 27:55 There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him; among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
“Think of Mary. Call upon Mary.”
–St. Bernard Clairvaux