Mother’s Day at the San Antonio Missions

On Mother’s Day we celebrate the love and sacrifices of mothers everywhere, and honor Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus and the Mother of the Church. As the Mother of the Church, Mary holds a special place in the hearts of the faithful. The Spanish Franciscans, who established the missions in San Antonio, honored Mary by naming missions after her, organizing feast days and processions, encouraging Marian devotions, and incorporating artistic depictions of her into mission architecture. These practices fostered a deep sense of devotion to Mary among the mission communities, integrating her veneration into their daily lives and spiritual practices. Each mission has a unique way of honoring Mary. Visit the San Antonio Missions to see inspiring images of Mary in paintings, icons, and statues, and reflect on her enduring presence and influence in your own life and the life of the Church.

Mission Concepción

The formal name of Mission Concepción is Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña, named in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The Franciscans were strong proponents of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, and named Mission Concepción after this belief in 1731, long before it was officially proclaimed a Church dogma in 1854. Their support was rooted in the teachings of John Duns Scotus, a prominent Franciscan theologian, who argued Mary was preserved from original sin by the merits of Jesus Christ, foreseen by God. The Mission honors Mary with the double solar illumination, a fascinating event that occurs annually on August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This celestial phenomenon involves the setting sunlight passing through the ocular window of the church, aligning perfectly on the altar and on the stunning 18th century painting of Mary above the altar. While the painting that is present today is not original to the mission, there was a large statue of Mary in its place during the mission period. At the same time, another light passes through the dome and shines on the floor of the altar. Today the faithful continue to honor Mary on the Solemnity of the Assumption, gathering to view the double solar illumination in the Mission.

Mission San José

The facade over the door at Mission San José, is a beautiful display of craftsmanship depicting the genealogy of Jesus. At the center of this facade, a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe captures the eye, serving as a powerful reminder of her role as Patroness of the Americas. Surrounding the statue are intricate carvings of St. Anne, Mary’s mother, who is tenderly holding the baby Mary, and St. Joachim, Mary’s father. At the top of the oval window is St. Joseph holding the baby Jesus, emphasizing the importance of the Holy family. Two other important Saints are included in the facade- St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, and his friend St. Dominic, founder of the Dominicans and the creator of the rosary. The Franciscans and Dominicans worked together in supporting evangelization in the Americas. Inside the Mission there is a painting of our Lady of Guadalupe appearing to San Juan Diego. The Franciscans were instrumental in sharing the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 to the Indigenous peoples of Texas. Mary’s apparition to San Juan Diego, an Indigenous man, helped make the faith relatable to the native population.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

San Juan, named after Saint John of Capistrano, had a deep devotion to Mary. At Mission San Juan, two of the five statues in the Church are of Mary. The parish dresses Mary in garments reflecting different liturgical seasons and feast days including Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Dressing Mary in seasonal clothing creates a visual representation of the liturgical seasons and feast days, deepening the faith and devotion of the community.

Mission San Francisco de la Espada

Mission Espada has long honored Mary through various devotional practices, including processions. On feast days during the Mission period, it was a tradition to process with Mary around the Mission Plaza. These processions were an important part of Franciscan mission life, attracting many converts and fostering a powerful sense of community.

Mother’s Day at the San Antonio Missions is a beautiful opportunity to commemorate the remarkable love and sacrifices of mothers around the world while also honoring Mary’s role as the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of the Church. Let our Blessed Mother inspire your spiritual journey as you reflect on the vital role she plays in the story of salvation. May your visit to the San Antonio Missions be a cherished family experience that fosters a deeper connection with your faith and brings you closer to the divine.