His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks on Mother’s Day, celebrated in Egypt on March 21 — the day of spring and balance between day and night — symbolizing the mother’s balance between love and discipline. He congratulates all mothers, wishing them joyful lives with their children and grandchildren.

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💖 Motherhood – A Divine Gift

Motherhood, he explains, is a divine instinct placed by God in a woman’s heart. Even Eve was not called “Eve” until she gave birth — for she became “the mother of all living.” Thus, motherhood is a sacred calling and blessing.

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🌿 True Motherhood Is in Upbringing

“The woman does not become a mother by giving birth only, but by raising her children,” the Pope says.
The true mother forms hearts and characters through love and sacrifice. She gives of her own body, blood, and sleepless nights — her motherhood is written in labor and tenderness.

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🤱 The Mother as a Symbol of Sacrifice

A mother gives selflessly and endures quietly — pregnancy, childbirth, crying, and sleeplessness.
She is the model of self-denial and patience.
Even when children bear the father’s name, the mother rejoices in silence, for her joy is in giving, not in being recognized.

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🕊️ The Spiritual Motherhood

Motherhood also has a spiritual dimension:

• The mother presents her child for baptism and confesses faith on his behalf.

• The Church is the “Mother of us all,” giving birth to believers through baptism.

• The Virgin Mary is our heavenly Mother, always honored beside the altar.

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👑 Examples of Saintly Mothers

He recalls saintly mothers such as:

• The mother of Moses, who saved him by faith.

• The mother of St. Basil the Great, who raised saints.

• St. Monica, whose tears brought back her son Augustine.
  And Egyptian saints like Refka, Julitta, and Lagi — all mothers of steadfast faith.

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🕯️ Working and Suffering Mothers

His Holiness honors working mothers who balance labor and family, and widowed mothers who raise their children alone, calling their toil a living prayer before God.

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💒 God’s Commandment to Honor Mothers

He reminds that “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment with a promise.
Mocking or neglecting one’s parents is condemned in Scripture.
The Pope adds: “A successful child is his mother’s crown; a failure is her sorrow.”

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🌍 The Symbolic Meaning of “Mother”

The term “mother” extends beyond biology:

• The Church is our spiritual mother.

• The homeland is our protective mother.

• Nuns and spiritual mothers guide souls in faith.
  Even God describes Himself in maternal love: “Even if a mother forgets her child, I will not forget you.”

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🙏 Conclusion

“The mother,” says the Pope, “is the image of God’s love on earth — the first teacher of forgiveness, humility, and generosity.”
He calls everyone to honor their mothers through respect, gratitude, obedience, and care while they are still with us.

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