By Most Rev. Joseph Strickland - I write on June 1, 2020, the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. A relatively new addition to the Liturgical Calendar, but a very ancient title attributed to our Lady. On February 11, 2018, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a decree, at the request of Pope Francis, to inscribe this memorial in the General Roman Calendar on the Monday following Pentecost. It is to take precedence over any other memorials.