Bishop Gerald Barbarito, of the Diocese of Palm Beach, beseeched parishioners on Sunday to recognize “the gift which God has given us in motherhood.” 

“We give thanks to mothers for the gift of life and for all the love and sacrifices they have given for us,” he said in a Facebook post. “We remember those who have gone before us and now are at peace with the Lord. On Mother’s Day we also look to Mary, our Blessed Mother, who continues to watch over us and guide us to her Son. She reminds us of what the true meaning of life is all about. A blessed Mother’s Day to all!”

The sentiment was echoed throughout the Church, from Pope Francis on down.

"Today is Mother’s Day in many countries,” the pope 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.” 

Although Mother's Day is a secular holiday, the Catholic Church applies its devotion to Mary, Mother of God, to all mothers, Fr. Jim Hinkle, of St. Theresa Parish, said. Every year, the Church celebrates Mary on holidays such as the Solemnities of Mary, Mother of God, the Assumption, and the Immaculate Conception. These celebrations of Mary serve as celebrations of all mothers, he said. 

St. Pope John Paul II also acknowledge the role mothers play, writing in Mulieris Dignitatem:

"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.”