Mary, Mother of the Church & Honoring Memorial Day - Fr. Chris Alar | 5/25/26
About this episode
Fr. Chris Alar reflects on the significance of Mary, Mother of the Church, in relation to Memorial Day and the themes of sacrifice and freedom.
Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, a beautiful reminder that Mary is the Mother who leads us always to her Son. Jesus came into the world through her hands, and in the same way, we are invited to entrust ourselves, our families, our country, and our future to her maternal care. In this Memorial Day homily, Fr. Chris Alar, connects this Marian trust with the meaning of sacrifice, freedom, faith, and eternal salvation. As we remember the soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom and safety of our country, Fr. Chris reminds us that true freedom must never be separated from God. Those who made the ultimate sacrifice did not place personal safety above the defense of what is true, noble, and worth protecting. Fr. Chris also offers a powerful warning for our times: when fear or the promise of “personal safety” leads society to surrender its God-given freedoms, especially the freedom to worship. Christians must remain awake and faithful. We must never allow our churches to be closed or our faith to be silenced in the name of fear. As Catholics and citizens, we are called to reflect seriously on our responsibility to protect…
More episodes of Homilies from the National Shrine
- What the Church Says About A.I. - Fr. Chris Alar | 5/27/26
- The Memorial of St. Philip Neri, the Joyful Saint of Rome - Fr. Anthony Gramlich | 5/26/26
- The Two Pentecosts: Private Grace and Public Mission - Fr. Chris Alar | 5/24/26
- Judas and the Eucharist: A Warning for Our Times - Fr. David Gunter | 5/23/26
- Summary of St. Rita - One of the Best Patron Saints You Can Get - Fr. Chris Alar | 5/22/26
- Why Don't We Hear About this Prayer at the Last Supper? - Fr. Chris Alar | 5/21/26
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