In recognitoin of mothers everywhere, the Diocese of Grand Rapids offered up a prayer for mothers on Mother’s Day.

It posted the prayer on Facebook:

“We pray for mothers who selflessly and lovingly welcome the children of others into their hearts and families. We pray for mothers grieving the loss of a child, for women struggling with infertility, and for those whose moms have departed this earthly life. Grant that we, their children, may honor them always with a spirit of profound love, respect and thanksgiving. Blessed Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, pray for us who have recourse to you…In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.” 

Mother’s Day is a secular holiday, but Catholics appreciate the sentiment of it by proxy, Fr. Jim Hinkle of St. Theresa Parish said in a release. The Catholic Church’s devotion to Mary, Mother of God, applies to all mothers. The Church celebrates Mary on various holidays — the Solemnities of Mary, the Assumption, and the Immaculate Conception, among them — through the year. Although such celebrations are set aside for Mary, in a way, they are celebrations of all mothers. 

Popes in recent history have underscored the Church’s appreciation of women too. Pope St. John Paul II, who headed the Church from 1978 to 2005, wrote an article in Mulieris Dignitatem, quoted by TomPerna.org, about mothers in which he said:

"Motherhood has been introduced into the order of the Covenant that God made with humanity in Jesus Christ. Each and every time that motherhood is repeated in human history, it is always related to the Covenant which God established with the human race through the motherhood of the Mother of God (#19).” 

Ahead of this year’s holiday, Pope Francis sent a tweet about mothers:

"Today is Mother’s Day in many countries,” he tweeted. “Let us affectionately remember our mothers, even those who are no longer with us down here, but who live in our hearts. Our prayer, our affection, and our best wishes for all our mothers.”