Mary

Mary is the Virgin whom God chose to be the mother of his Son made man. He prepared her for this mission by preserving her from sin from the first instant of her life, through the privilege of her Immaculate Conception. On the day of the Annunciation, she gave God a free and entire consent, and it is through her that the Saviour entered the world: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman.” Galatians 4:4

Mother of God

Mary is truly Mother of God, for the one she conceived and bore is God, the eternal Son become man. Motherhood touches the person, and the person she carried in her womb is God himself. This is why the Church confesses her “Theotokos”, a Greek word that means “she who gives birth to God.” The child she brings into the world is God present among men: “He will be called Emmanuel, which means: God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Ever Virgin

Mary conceived her Son by the work of the Holy Spirit, without the concurrence of any man, and she remained a virgin before, during and after the birth. Her virginity is the sign that this child comes wholly from God: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Luke 1:35

The new Ark

Mary is the new Ark of the covenant. The ark of old carried the signs of God's presence in the midst of his people; Mary carries in her womb this presence in person, the Word made flesh. Elizabeth welcomes her as David had welcomed the ark, with the same cry of wonder: “How is it granted me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Luke 1:43

Taken up into heaven and Queen

At the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven: this is what the Church calls the Assumption. Wholly united to her Son on earth, she already shares fully in his victory over death, and, associated to his reign, she is crowned Queen of heaven: “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, a crown of twelve stars on her head.” Revelation 12:1

Our mother

From the height of the Cross, Jesus entrusted his mother to the disciple he loved, and in him to all his disciples. Mary thus became the mother of all believers and the mother of the Church: “Behold your mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her into his home.” John 19:26-27

She watches over her children and intercedes for them with her Son, toward whom she always leads. At the wedding of Cana, she leaves the instruction that sums up all she teaches: “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5