Having been proclaimed mother of a priest by Jesus, and being first and foremost mother of Jesus the high priest, Mary became in a very special way the mother of priests. She is responsible for safeguarding the development of priestly life in the Church, a development closely linked with that of Christian life.
Jesus did more than entrust this mission regarding priests to Mary. He turned to John too, in order to introduce him into a filial relationship with Mary: “Behold your mother!” (Jn 19:27). He wished the disciple to recognise Mary as his own mother and to have a deep affection for her.
The chosen disciple responded immediately to this desire of the crucified Master, taking Mary with him. According to tradition, he lived the first years of his apostolic mission in the company of She who had been given to him as a mother, finding in her a unique source of help.
Pope John Paul II
Angelus
11 February 1990