The Christian Mothers
Mothers rule the world.
They guide the destinies of homes; that is why God is relying on mothers to keep Christ in the world by keeping Him in their hearts and homes. Under the special patronage of Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, Christian Mothers are encouraged joyously to undertake the important task of training and sanctifying the young souls entrusted to their care. They are instructed with ways to edify one another by word and deed, to support one another by fervent prayer and in this way become the mainstay of the spiritual life within their own family, and a fruitful source of blessing to the community in which they live.
This is the fundamental aim of all Confraternities affiliated with the Archconfraternity. Christian Mothers learn to unite their own hearts to Christ so that they can help to draw their families closer to the Lord. In that way they become the leaven which makes their own parish and community more alive with the presence of the risen Lord.
The Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers leads campaigns that promote real solutions to some of the biggest challenges faced by society. We challenge the notion that the way things are is the way things should always be, and are proud to be a force for positive transformation.
Advantages of Joining
Many powerful graces are available through the prayers and good works performed by members complying with the directives of the Confraternity and the guidance of its Director. We have our Savior's own words: "If two of you join your voices on earth to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you by my Father in heaven."
Whenever a member prays for herself and her children, all the other members and their children benefit from her efforts. All members of a Confraternity form a pool of spiritual reinforcement. In choosing Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, as their Patroness, the mothers ensure the particular protection and powerful intercession of their Heavenly Mother adding a special dimension to their own spiritual resources.
Prayer and Support
How the Confraternity Helps Mothers
The number of Christian Mother Confraternities in North America with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA,
has varied over the years. The latest count stands at two thousand with thirteen new affiliations in the past three years.
Most Christian mothers meet once a month under the direction of the parish priest to support one another in prayer to become the mainstay of the spiritual life in their own families and a fruitful source of blessing to the community in which they live. Our Christian grandmothers too have much to share with their experience and wisdom. In some confraternities the Saint Monica Circle has been established to encourage priestly and religious vocations. The mothers sponsor mother/daughter and father/daughter activities. The women visit the sick and help the needy. Many pastors claim that the Christian mothers are still the best helpers in the parish in matters spiritual and temporal. They recite the rosary at the funeral home for deceased Christian mothers and provide an honor guard at the funeral Mass.
In recent years some of them have become world pilgrims to the shrines in America and in Europe. Many groups still make days of recollection and retreats.