Mary is a symbol of our Baptism for she gives birth to us as members of the Mystical Body of her Christ. Moreover, like her, “blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it” (Gospel).
These baptismal duties of “death to sin” and “life in God” (Epistle) are meant to gladden, not to oppress the human heart (Offertory), intended by God for Divine possession (Communion Verse), safe from diabolical obsession.
Although not commemorated in the 1962 rubrics of the Mass, today, is Feast of St. John of God, born in Portugal at end of XV Century, who reformed at age 40, sold all he owned and devoted himself to the sick and the poor, eventually founding an order now known as Brothers of St. John of God. He is Patron of those sick and those whowork in hospitals. His name is inscribed in the Litany of the Dying.