Why the Church Honors Mary on Saturdays – Jul 18 – Homily – Fr Isidore

 

Fr. Isidore M. Cipres gives the homily for Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time (votive Mass in honor of Our Lady on Satureday) on July 18, 2026, reflecting on why the Church has traditionally dedicated Saturdays to Our Lady, presenting Mary as the woman of unwavering faith who continued to trust in God's promises during the silence of Holy Saturday.

Drawing on the Gospel's contrast between Christ's mercy and the hardness of the Pharisees, Father invites the faithful to imitate Mary's compassionate heart, learning to forgive, encourage, and lead sinners back to God.

Index
00:00 - Introduction to Mary's Unwavering Faith
00:38 - Why Saturday is Dedicated to Mary
01:52 - God's Justice and the Gospel Message
04:32 - Embracing God's Mercy, Not Judgment
05:29 - Mary: Mother of Mercy and Hope
06:09 - Mary's Comfort in Our Suffering
07:19 - A Prayer for Mary's Gifts

Scriptural, Catechetical, and Magisterial resources
Luke 1:45 – Mary blessed for believing God's promises – https://airmaria.com/go/WBcxs3
CCC 964 – Mary's unwavering faith as Mother of Church – https://airmaria.com/go/unPq9W
Isaiah 42:1 – God's Spirit proclaims justice to Gentiles – https://airmaria.com/go/dMstGW
Luke 6:36 – Be merciful, just as God is – https://airmaria.com/go/YsaxR8
CCC 2447 – Works of mercy show God's compassion – https://airmaria.com/go/xuw6br
Pope Francis 2015 – Holy Saturday: Church contemplates Christ's sepulchre repose with Mary – https://airmaria.com/go/fhKGW4
Pope Benedict XVI 2010 – Holy Saturday brings profound silence as God rests in death – https://airmaria.com/go/JwuiF9
Pope Benedict XVI 2006 – Universal judgement unites history's fragments in truth and love's triumph – https://airmaria.com/go/SicLJ6
Pope Francis 2021 – Holy Saturday silence tests disciples mourning Jesus' death in bewilderment – https://airmaria.com/go/sDrF65
Pope John Paul II 2001 – Spend Holy Saturday silently expecting risen Jesus, first-fruits of creation – https://airmaria.com/go/Gm2zVy

Ave Maria!

Mass: Saturday in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/071826.cfm
1st: Micah 2:1-5 - Punishment of the Rich Oppressors
Resp: Psalms 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14 - Lament Against the Wicked
Gsp: Matthew 12:14-21 - The Chosen Servant

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=889

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGWMqyqcSCg