Today marks a remarkable celestial event: an eclipse will grace much of North America. I am among the fortunate who, with merely a couple of hours’ drive, will find myself in the heart of totality, experiencing a total eclipse. For much of North America, another solar eclipse will not take place until 2044!
Remarkably, this celestial spectacle coincides with the feast of the Annunciation, which is traditionally observed on March 25. Due to its alignment with Holy Week this year, and the impossibility of its occurrence during the Octave of Easter, the feast has been rescheduled to today, April 8. The timing feels providential, especially considering the Virgin Mary’s frequent depiction as the moon in Catholic tradition, reflecting the light of Christ, the Sun, with unparalleled clarity.
This imagery finds its roots in Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. Revelation 12:1 presents a woman "clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet," a passage often associated with Mary, emblematic of the fullness of grace she has received from God. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux expands on this Marian symbolism, portraying Mary as the "star of the sea," guiding us through life’s tumultuous waters by reflecting the light of Christ.
In Catholic tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary is often depicted with the moon under her feet, an imagery rich with symbolism and drawn from the Book of Revelation (12:1). This portrayal signifies Mary's purity, her victory over sin and darkness, and her role as the Queen of Heaven. The moon, reflecting the light of the sun as Mary reflects the light of Christ, emphasizes her unique grace and her divine motherhood. This depiction not only highlights Mary's exalted status among the saints but also her role as a guiding light for the faithful, leading them closer to her Son with her virtues and obedience as a model for all.
Moreover, the analogy of Mary as the moon gains further depth during a solar eclipse. Just as the moon is "clothed" with the sun during this event, enveloped in its radiance, so too is Mary, in Revelation 12, depicted as being clothed with the sun’s glory. This celestial event mirrors the spiritual reality of Mary's unique role in salvation history, embodying her deep connection with both the divine and the cosmic order.
Thus, as we witness today's eclipse, let it also be a moment of reflection on Mary’s role as the immaculate reflector of Christ's light. In the breathtaking moment when the moon embraces the sun, we are reminded of Mary's enduring presence, guiding us toward her Son’s eternal light.
